Wyoming Considers 250,000 Acres for New Federal Military Base

Wyoming officials are evaluating at least four large parcels of state and federal land for a proposed military base, a move that could place 15,000 to 25,000 active-duty service members in the state. Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, the state adjutant general, confirmed the participation to the legislative Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee on Monday.

The initiative stems from a Sept. 30 memorandum sent by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Pentagon leaders. The document calls for the identification of an optimal site for a new installation, citing the need for a modernized posture in response to advancing technology and strategic threats. Hegseth urged governors and adjutant generals to submit their best proposals for the project.

The Department of Defense is seeking between 100,000 and 250,000 contiguous acres for the base. According to an October fact sheet, the installation is expected to support a workforce of 15,000 to 25,000 active-duty members. That figure represents roughly one-third of the population of Cheyenne, Wyoming's largest city, which has approximately 66,500 residents.

Porter stated that the state has formed a task force to manage the process. Planners have already contacted the Wyoming County Commission Association and other local governments to discuss potential siting. The task force is focusing on state and federal lands, with Porter noting that the group is currently examining specific chunks of public property for feasibility.

The timeline for the proposal is compressed. While the initial announcement occurred in late September, clear guidance for applicants did not arrive until the second week of October. Gov. Mark Gordon's pitch to the Department of Defense is due on Dec. 1. Porter said the state task force aims to deliver a plan, described as a letter of interest, to the governor by Nov. 20 or Nov. 23.

Committee Co-Chair Landon Brown, a Republican from Cheyenne, expressed skepticism during the Monday hearing. Brown questioned whether the project is part of the recently passed defense funding bill or if it is a directive from an administration with two years remaining in its term. He noted that Congress has not yet rebranded the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a title Porter had used.

Brown asked if the state is risking significant effort on a project that may not last. He emphasized that while leaders appreciate the military's role, they must remain stewards of state funds. Porter responded that the federal department prefers public-private partnerships to avoid passing large bills to Congress, though many questions about the base's specific function remain unanswered.

Some state lawmakers have urged participation in the contest. A letter signed by House Speaker Chip Neiman of Hulett and other representatives on Oct. 12 highlighted Wyoming's abundant space and resources. The letter noted that the existing F.E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne injects roughly $450 million annually into the local economy through jobs and consumer spending.

Scott Clem, a Campbell County commissioner and former legislator, voiced opposition to the project in a social media post last month. He compared the federal government to a debtor seeking to purchase a $60,000 vehicle, questioning who would pay for the new construction through taxes or inflation. Clem asked if future generations would be expected to pay for new military assets.

The selection process is expected to conclude in June 2027. Porter said that between the December pitch and the final selection date, the local community will have the opportunity to weigh in on the viability of the proposed sites.