For years, the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival was held in Colorado, but an increasingly hostile political climate toward premium tobacco events ultimately forced organizers to find a new home. In 2026, the festival made the move north to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where the reception has been notably different.
One of the clearest examples of that difference came from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, who sent a personal welcome letter to attendees of both the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival and the Smoker Friendly International Conference & Tobacco Festival.
Rather than treating the event as something to be discouraged, Governor Gordon welcomed visitors to the Cowboy State, congratulated both events on their anniversaries, and encouraged attendees to enjoy Wyoming’s hospitality, local businesses, and entrepreneurial spirit.
For festival organizers and cigar enthusiasts alike, the letter serves as a symbolic contrast to the environment that prompted the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival’s departure from Colorado. While Colorado’s regulatory and political landscape has become increasingly unfavorable toward tobacco-related events, Wyoming’s leadership has made it clear that the festival is a welcome addition to the state’s tourism and business community.
Below is the full text of Governor Gordon’s letter.
July 24, 2026
Dear SFI Conference and Tobacco Festival and Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival attendees,
Welcome to Cheyenne, and thank you for choosing Wyoming as the location for your gathering in 2026. What an honor for our state! I send our regrets that the First Lady and I are unable to join you for your first festival in Wyoming, but let me congratulate you on two remarkable milestones; the 30th Anniversary of the SFI Conference and Tobacco Festival and The 17th Anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival.
Cheyenne is the perfect place to experience the western hospitality the Cowboy State is known for across the country. In Wyoming, you will find we are experts in knowing how to enjoy the time we have, take in the sites, and gather for good conversation with new and old friends. I suppose the hustle and bustle of a big city is nice on occasion; but Cheyenne offers one a chance to celebrate the comfort of small-town life and authentic connections. I hope you brought your cowboy hats, blue jeans, and boots – and do not be shy to wear them. Hold on to your hats though, as you will surely experience a few gusts of the classic Cheyenne wind. My dad told me, “never to hire a hand who wore a straw hat and rolled their own cigarettes because if they weren’t wearing their hat, they were rolling a cigarette.”
Your choice to come to Wyoming was a good one. I want you to know that businesses matter in Wyoming, from small to large. In fact, this spirit was how Cheyenne was raised – from the ingenuity and grit that quickly sprung the Magic City on the Plains into existence. The State is consistently ranked by the Tax Foundation as having the #1 business tax climate in the nation. We welcome entrepreneurship, new ideas, and strive to make businesses thrive. Our government remains accessible and we pride ourselves in the open-door relationship that helps tackle regulatory bottlenecks to unlock growth and investment.
During your visit, I hope you enjoy the local businesses and homegrown products that make our state so special, and your hosts at Little America will take care of you well. Please enjoy your time in Cheyenne.
Sincerely,
Mark Gordon
Governor of Wyoming
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