Scott and Julie Gondzar founded Snowy Elk Coffee Co. in 2017 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, after starting out roasting coffee in a popcorn pan in their garage. They now operate at 6,000 feet elevation on the high plains of southeast Wyoming, roasting on Diedrich IR 2.5 and IR 12 machines. Members of the Specialty Coffee Association, they source specialty grade beans through importers like Colorado based Cape Horn Coffees, with an emphasis on sustainable farms and fair trade practices. Snowy Elk won four medals at the 2022 Golden Bean competition, including a silver for their Guatemalan Natural Swiss Water Decaf. Their philosophy ties the craft to a broader lifestyle rooted in adventure, balance, and conservation.