Montana Police Chief Says The Popularity Of “Yellowstone” Has Caused Challenges For The Area
on Aug 13, 2024
It looks like Yellowstone is causing quite the stir in Bozeman, Montana.
Police Chief Jim Velkamp has shared how the show has transformed the town into a hotspot for new residents and tourists.
Since 2020, Paramount Network has filmed its hit TV show Yellowstone in Montana. After filming the first three seasons in Utah, just a few hours from Yellowstone National Park, the network relocated the show to Montana to take advantage of the state’s tax program. In addition to the financial benefits, the real Chief Joseph Ranch influenced the decision. The ranch, located in Darby, Montana, serves as the setting for the Dutton family’s ranch in the show. Kevin Costner, who plays family patriarch John Dutton, will not return for the last part of season five.
RELATED: “Yellowstone” Star Shares Emotional Goodbye As Final Episodes Wrap
Thanks to the allure of the drama-filled show, Bozeman, Montana, is now a bustling hub.
Velkamp recently revealed to The Daily Mail that the town has seen an overwhelming surge of visitors, all eager to experience the rugged charm showcased on screen.
“Everyone seems to have this view [that] Bozeman is changing more rapidly than they’d like…I think overall for us, specifically with the city of Bozeman, it’s just the growth and the challenges related to growth that is our biggest challenge,” Velkamp shared. “Our city has grown so fast. Bozeman wasn’t literally on the map; now it’s a well-known place.”
Bozeman’s population has increased by 50 percent over the past decade since 2014.
But it’s not just the influx of tourists that’s shaking things up.
The rise of remote work post-pandemic has turned Bozeman into a magnet for new residents seeking a slice of that picturesque Montana lifestyle. While this growth brings opportunities, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Velkamp pointed out that crime rates are “going up fast” as the population swells, and the streets are busier than ever.
Velkamp also noted that many newcomers are inspired by Yellowstone, but he “can’t blame one single factor.”
“I certainly can’t attribute it all to the show ‘Yellowstone,’ but we hear it routinely. People say, ‘Oh, Bozeman, I’ve watched Yellowstone.’ We even hear it from candidates for the police department. They looked up Bozeman after watching the show ‘Yellowstone’ and thought, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty cool place,’ and so they inquire about working here.”
It’s pretty interesting to see how much Bozeman, Montana, has grown since the series. But, Chief Velkamp points out that there’s one key reason why newcomers are leaving just as quickly as they arrived.
“They can’t handle the cold.”
The production team wrapped up the first half of the fifth and final season of Yellowstone in January 2023. The remaining episodes are scheduled to premiere on Sunday, November 10.
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