Wyoming Approves Landmark $100M Sale of Land in Grand Teton National Park to Federal Government

Wyoming’s State Board of Land Commissioners (SBLC) has voted to proceed with the sale of the Kelly Parcel, a 640-acre property located within the borders of Grand Teton National Park, to the federal government for $100 million.

The board’s 3-2 decision, made Thursday, advances the parcel’s incorporation into the national park, marking a potential end to decades of negotiations and the threat of a private sale.

The SBLC, which includes Governor Mark Gordon, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, Auditor Kristi Racines, Treasurer Curt Meier, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, reached the decision following lengthy deliberations. Governor Gordon, Treasurer Meier, and Auditor Racines supported the sale, emphasizing the benefits for Wyoming’s public education fund. Gray and Degenfelder opposed the sale, advocating for a more lucrative deal, possibly involving a swap for federal lands rich in mineral resources within the state.

The Kelly Parcel, which has belonged to Wyoming since statehood, offers an unobstructed view of the Teton Range and is bordered by federal lands, including the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest. The sale would enable Wyoming to generate substantial revenue from the property, which currently brings in only a few thousand dollars annually through grazing leases. The proceeds from the sale are earmarked for Wyoming’s education system, a key priority for revenue from state-owned lands in Western states.

For years, Wyoming officials have considered selling the parcel to private developers as leverage to push the federal government toward an agreement. However, conservation groups, local authorities, and many Wyoming residents have rallied to keep the land public, highlighting its value for conservation and recreation.

“This sale is a rare opportunity to do what’s right for Wyoming’s schools and our outdoor heritage,” said Wyoming Senate President Ogden Driskill.

Conservation and sportsmen’s groups also voiced support, emphasizing the importance of protecting the land from private development.

While supporters of the sale view it as a win-win, opponents argue Wyoming could gain more by waiting for additional bargaining leverage with a new federal administration. Degenfelder, who called the parcel “the most valuable piece of property Wyoming has ever had,” proposed amendments to require a more recent appraisal and a possible land exchange in the Powder River Basin. Both amendments were voted down.

Supporters within the SBLC, such as Treasurer Meier, countered that delaying the sale could put federal funding at risk, especially as the US Bureau of Land Management moves forward with a plan to allow limited oil and gas leasing in southwestern Wyoming.

“This is the time for us to go forward,” Meier said.

He cited the immediate benefits for education funding.

The SBLC’s approval comes with contingencies related to the federal government’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, which could affect development policies across Wyoming. Should the sale be completed, it will be funded by a federal land conservation program and private contributions, making it one of the largest federal land acquisitions in recent history.

Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Rob Wallace highlighted the significance of the sale.

“This would be the most expensive land purchase from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund since its inception,” Wallace stated.

Grand Teton Superintendent Chip Jenkins expressed gratitude for the decision, saying the National Park Service looked forward to securing the land within the park boundaries. Local officials, including Jackson’s Town Council and the Teton County Board of Commissioners, also celebrated the vote, seeing it as a long-awaited step toward safeguarding the area’s natural legacy.

While the decision marks a milestone in the long-standing debate, final approval will depend on the SBLC’s review of the federal government’s pending conservation plans in southwestern Wyoming.

The Associated Press, Buckrail, and Cowboy State Daily contributed to this report.