Episode Details

Wendy Corr:

Well, hey there, folks, and welcome to The Roundup. This is a Cowboy State Daily podcast where we talk to and have conversations with really interesting people in the Cowboy State.

Today, we get to look inside the mind of a federal judge. Isn't that cool? I think it's cool, especially since this federal judge is a guy that I have known for years, and I'm very much looking forward to this conversation.

First off, I want to make sure that you all know about another great podcast called the "Business From the Basement" podcast from the Wyoming Business Alliance. If you're a business person, if you know a business person, if you are interested at all in building businesses and finding better ways to to be a good community member, then you want to log on to and listen to the "Business From the Basement" podcast.

So that's what I want to talk about first. But then I want to get us to the real meat of today's conversation. Today we get to talk to judge - Federal judge - Kelly Rankin. Now, I have known Kelly since 1998 when I was the municipal court clerk in Cody, and Kelly was the Park County attorney.

Kelly Rankin:

Yes.

Wendy Corr:

And Kelly was the Park County attorney, and we didn't cross paths that much, but in a small county and in a small town, especially if you're in the same line of work, you do have occasion to to cross paths here.

And I've always been so impressed with Kelly and his integrity and the way that he just does the business of the law. And so Kelly, I'm just so glad to talk to you today. How are you? How have you been? It's been a long time.

Kelly Rankin:

It has been a long time, but thank you for having me. It's great to be with you, and I'm just tickled to have this conversation with you, but I've been - Well, I appreciate the invite and the opportunity to catch up.

Wendy Corr:

Well, I think it's been fun. I'll just start with here - we have people in common, and that's the great thing about Wyoming, is that you know people, who know people, who know people, and it gets you connected and keeps you connected. Kelly, you were here in Park County for what, seven or eight years, right?

Kelly Rankin:

Yeah, I moved to Park County in 1995 and then left, sadly, in 2003, so about eight years. And loved every minute, every second of it. And you're right, Wendy, not only you, but just common friends that we have today, and it's just such a special place. The whole state is that way. But yes, I have very, very fond memories of Park County.

Wendy Corr:

Well, it's a wonderful place, but you also come from a wonderful place. You were born in Sheridan, and Sheridan is a beautiful town. I love that town. I went to high school in Buffalo, so we were right down the road from each other.

But tell me about growing up in Wyoming, because you're a Wyoming native. Sheridan, you moved around some, came back to Sheridan. Tell us about your childhood and the places that you saw and the people that you met in Wyoming.

Kelly Rankin:

Well, I've never lived in a bad place, because I've lived in Wyoming my whole life. But you're right, Sheridan, and as you know, Buffalo, they're really also very special places.

But you're right. I was born in Sheridan, and my dad was a rancher, and so we grew up as sort of a little ranch family, and then we moved to Jackson for a few years, where he was ranching there, and then ultimately he decided to become a banker. And so we moved around again and I ended up returning back to Sheridan, where I went to junior high and high school.

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