Orr graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in communications in 1992.
Career
She was elected mayor of Cheyenne in 2016 with 56% of the vote.
Broadband internet
As mayor she has gained national attention for her efforts to bring high-speed broadband internet to parts of Cheyenne without access. She successfully sought to have the fees normally charged by the city government for public right-of-way access suspended. Orr pushed for a bill in the state legislature which would have provided funding for municipalities to set up publicly ownedISPs. However, after input from internet company lobbyists, the language of the bill was changed to only fund public-private partnerships, basically ensuring that municipalities would not be able to get funding from the bill. Telecom companies have an interest in preventing competition from publicly owned internet which likely would be cheaper. After hearing how the bill was modified, Mayor Orr pledged to keep fighting to get public internet for Cheyenne. Controversy over meeting with Governor Orr received national coverage when she met with the Governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon over a proposed visit from a Taiwanese delegation. She accused him of swearing at her saying “F--- you, mayor” and using “his physical presence in an aggressive and threatening manner”. Gordon had wanted to cancel the visit, however Orr proposed keeping it. Gordon called Orr to apologize for his language but stated publicly that her claims about his physical behavior were mischaracterized. Orr stated that the reason she felt she had to publicize the Governor's behavior was that "e can't be silent to bad behavior from men treating women that way. It's unacceptable."
Personal life
She is married to journalist Jimmy Orr. He served as White House Internet Director from 2001-2004. On December 20, 2019, Orr’s husband was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence against her. As of December 24, 2019 he had been released from custody of the Laramie County jail and charged with domestic battery. As a condition of his bond release, he is not allowed to have any contact with her or to go within one block of their residence.
