Semi-Quincentennial Committee Requests County Funds

APRIL 17, 2025 |

Photo – Wyoming’s 250 Committee logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Carbon County 250 Committee is requesting $10,000 from the county government to support America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

July 2026 marks the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate the occasion, Governor Mark Gordon is offering $10,000 grants to help counties pay for their celebration events. However, to receive a state grant, the county must create its own 250 celebration committee.

In February, Carbon County did just that, when the Board of Commissioners appointed local author Candy Moulton and museum directors Tom Mensik, Tim Nicklas, Angie Hobbs, and Lela Emmons to lead the county’s anniversary committee.

At Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, the chairwoman of the local 250 Committee, Candy Moulton, provided an update on the group’s activities leading up to the events surrounding local festivities celebrating semi-quincentennial celebrations.

Moulton said the Committee has submitted a $10,000 grant request to the State of Wyoming. Government officials have not yet approved the application for funding.

Moulton asked the county commissioners to match the state’s maximum grant request of $10,000. The 250 Committee Chairwoman assured the Board that, if her request is approved, she will not seek any additional funding from Carbon County.

The Carbon County 250 Committee wants to fund a documentary movie called ‘Journeys to 250.’ The film will explore how the area was settled.  The proposed 28-minute movie is expected to cost $80,000 to produce.

Moulton told commissioners on Tuesday that the 250 Committee has requested funding from most towns in Carbon County. Only the town of Encampment has agreed to donate funding for the anniversary celebrations, perhaps a sign of the era we are living in now.

Moulton said she is still waiting for responses from the remaining communities around Carbon County regarding their donation pledges.

Commissioner John Johnson asked if the 250 Committee can wait to receive the $10,000 until after the county sets its 2025 through 2026 budget. Chairwoman Moulton said she can wait, but the Committee requires the county’s financial support.

Moulton added that the 250 Committee has requested the largest contribution from the Carbon County Visitors Council, since the celebration events are expected to increase tourism to our area. The Committee Chairwoman said early discussions with the Council have been promising.

Moulton said she has been told by the administrator of the state’s anniversary grant task force that the Carbon County 250 Committee’s grant application is likely to be approved.

However, the Committee is unable to move forward with its plans, specifically the creation of the documentary film, until they receive the grant money.

In the meantime, Moulton explained that the Committee is already working to secure a production company to film ‘Journeys to 250’.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners will reconsider Moulton’s funding request after next year’s budget is finalized in July.