Economy Politics Wyoming

Bipartisan Pushback in Wyoming Halts Controversial Federal Land Sale Plan

Bipartisan Pushback in Wyoming Halts Controversial Federal Land Sale Plan
Cowboy State Daily
  • PublishedJuly 3, 2025

In a state known for its deep conservative roots and overwhelming support for President Donald Trump, Wyoming residents found rare political unity in opposing a proposed sale of federal public lands, WyoFile reports.

The backlash led to the withdrawal of a key provision from a Republican budget bill that would have put millions of acres of Western land on the auction block.

Despite winning Wyoming by the largest margin in the 2024 presidential election, Trump and his party met resistance over the so-called “mandatory disposal” measure introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). The proposal, part of the GOP’s broader budget package dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” aimed to sell between 2 to 3 million acres of federal land. Lee argued it would help address housing shortages in the West. But many in Wyoming disagreed.

The measure triggered an outpouring of opposition from a wide coalition of residents, businesses, conservationists, tribal groups, and local officials — all voicing concern about losing access to public lands central to Wyoming’s identity, economy, and outdoor culture.

“It’s one of the first times I’ve seen businesses and individuals come across party lines and unite,” said Addi Jenkins, executive director of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance.

Her organization mobilized 85 local businesses to sign a letter urging Wyoming’s US senators to vote against the bill.

The pushback extended to every corner of the state. Sublette County — where Trump received nearly 80% of the vote — emerged as a stronghold of resistance. Local officials decried the measure’s lack of public input and potential to sidestep existing land protections.

“Even [commissioners] didn’t know this fast-paced land sale was in the bill,” said resident Karla Bird.

Lee revised the plan several times, excluding national parks and forests and limiting sales to Bureau of Land Management land near populated areas. Still, the changes failed to ease concerns. On Saturday, the senator announced he would withdraw the land sale provision altogether, stating on social media that he had heard constituents’ concerns.

The opposition wasn’t confined to Wyoming. National organizations such as the Outdoor Alliance, representing a broad network of recreational groups, claimed credit for mobilizing more than half a million letters to lawmakers. The Native Organizers Alliance also played a role, sending over 23,000 letters urging the Senate to block the measure.

Congressional Republicans from Wyoming were divided. Sen. John Barrasso acknowledged public concern and emphasized the need for full debate and input on such major policy proposals. Rep. Harriet Hageman, however, dismissed critics, claiming that opposition was driven by misinformation.

“A lot of the talk surrounding [Lee’s] efforts has been misleading or flat-out untrue,” she said.

At a town hall in Greybull, Hageman’s defense of the plan drew heckling and protest from constituents.

“This is a pivotal piece of legislation that could change the landscape,” said Lovell Mayor Tom Newman at the event.

A recent Colorado College poll suggests that 58% of Wyoming residents oppose giving state control over national public lands, let alone selling them. For many locals, public lands are not only symbolic of Western heritage but also vital to their livelihoods — serving as the backbone of tourism, recreation, and conservation efforts.

Wildlife guide Mark Gocke summed up the public sentiment:

“It’s not partisan. People are craving this experience. They’re in awe of the land, and they want it protected.”

With the withdrawal of the land sale plan, many in Wyoming feel they’ve won a rare political victory — one driven not by party allegiance, but by a shared connection to the land itself.

“The American public will jump right down your throat if you continue this,” warned Buzz Hettick, co-chair of the Wyoming chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. “People made it clear: these lands are not for sale.”

Joe Yans

Joe Yans is a 25-year-old journalist and interviewer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a local news correspondent and an opinion section interviewer for Wyoming Star, Joe has covered a wide range of critical topics, including the Israel-Palestine war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and the 2025 LA wildfires. Beyond reporting, Joe has conducted in-depth interviews with prominent scholars from top US and international universities, bringing expert perspectives to complex global and domestic issues.