Small-Town Living, Rustic Roots: Meet Tyrene Cook – Part 3

As Tyrene looks back on her childhood, she remembers growing up quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The home her family built sat 45 minutes from the nearest gas station, and while there was a small grocery store nearby, it was expensive—much like what many families experience here in Park County today—meaning regular trips out of the county were necessary to afford more than basic groceries. She recalls moments when she needed something and simply couldn't run to a store to get it. Playing high school sports wasn’t always an option either, as the wear and tear, gas, and mileage on her parents’ vehicles made it difficult. When she finally turned 16 and got her first job, it meant a 50-minute drive each way, and her daily bus rides to school often lasted close to an hour. Yet through it all, she loved being surrounded by the mountains, with the Colorado River close enough that she could open her bedroom window and fall asleep to the sound of rushing water. This upbringing mirrors life in Park County in many ways—while gas stations may be closer today, affordable shopping still isn’t. These early experiences shaped Tyrene’s grit, resilience, and appreciation for rural living, preparing her for the life she proudly lives here in Park County now.