The Short Version

Public records show County Planning was giving Black Hills Energy project-specific regulatory direction by April 24, 2026. Later, residents were told there was no Horse Creek pre-application meeting or formal application in the County system.

Why It Matters

Those statements may describe different stages of the process, but that distinction was not clear to residents. A transparent timeline helps us understand who knew what, what was actually filed and why most neighbors heard about the project secondhand.

What We Know So Far

  • County Planning sent Black Hills Energy a regulatory letter on April 24, 2026.

  • That letter described a natural-gas power generation hub and the County’s essential-service position.

  • The first major news article appeared June 10, 2026.

  • Later County emails said no Horse Creek pre-application meeting or formal application had been submitted.

  • A state representative contacted Black Hills Energy after hearing resident concerns and encouraged a public meeting.

  • County commissioners said they had not reviewed a formal application or supporting studies at that time.

What We Still Need to Know

  • When did Black Hills first contact County staff?

  • Were meetings, calls or informal discussions held before April 24?

  • When was each County department informed?

  • When were state agencies first contacted?

  • When were landowners first notified?

  • Why was outreach initially limited to adjacent landowners?

  • What public-notice plan will be used going forward?

  • When will the complete application record become public?

Key Documents

  • Laramie County Regulatory Direction to Black Hills Energy — April 24, 2026 — The earliest project-specific County record currently in our library.

  • Laramie County Planning Response to First Horse Creek Inquiry — June 2026 — States that no formal Horse Creek application was in the County system.

  • County Correspondence on Horse Creek Essential-Service Status and Project Review — Provides later explanations from County officials.

  • State Representative Rob Geringer Responds to Horse Creek Power Plant Concerns — Documents state-level outreach to Black Hills.

  • Cowboy State Daily: Rural Cheyenne Residents Raise Concerns Over Proposed Horse Creek Gas Plant — Records the first broad public reporting.

  • Browse the Full Document Library

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