Laramie County Commissioner Meeting Summaries: April - June 2025

Several years ago, the Laramie County Commissioners started live-streaming the Commissioners' meetings and allowing the public to view previous meetings. Everyone should take advantage of this valuable service and stay informed on decisions affecting the growth and direction of the county. Laramie County - Calendar (legistar.com) I will post a brief synopsis of the bi-monthly Commissioner meetings on my Facebook page, including my comments and welcome input and dialogue from the community. For complete details, visit the County Commissioner's website.

April 1st Laramie County Commissioners meeting:

* The consent agenda items were approved. These are regular county business items that do not warrant discussion. They are all listed in detail on the meeting agenda notes.

* Resolution approved proclaiming April 2025 as the month of the military child.

* Resolution approved proclaiming April 2025 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. 

*  A resolution was approved allowing Wyoming Downs, LLC, to conduct parimutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing, and simulcast events at Terry Ranch Business Park, Tract 4, Laramie County, WY.

Wyoming Downs currently operates a facility at 51-I25 Service Rd (Terry Bison Ranch) in the Senators Grill. This approval will allow Wyoming Downstate to build a new facility at the Terry Ranch Business Park, intended to attract out-of-state clientele.

Once the new facility is completed, they cease operations at the Senators Grill.  This is not a new approval, just a transfer that allows the business to function at the old location while the new one is built.  

* Revision of a resolution approved changing the name regarding a subdivision permit and plat for Recco Ranch nka Fertig Ranch (250204-19), situated in the NW1/4 of Sect 11, T14N, R65W of the 6th PM, Laramie County, WY, original action approved on February 4, 2025. This was a request for a name change only on the permit.

* Resolution approved appointing Dennis Michaud to the Eastern Laramie County Solid Waste Disposal District for a three-year term expiring March 31, 2028.

* A public hearing was scheduled to be held regarding seasonal fireworks permits submitted by Breanna Elliott, dba Jurassic Fireworks, located at 201 I-25 Service Rd Bldg. A, Artillery World Fireworks, located at 237 I-25 Service Rd, Bldg. B, and Artillery World Fireworks, located at 237 I-25 Service Rd, Bldg. C. 

The attorney for the businesses requested the permit requests be postponed. 

The postponement was granted. 

April 15th Laramie County Commissioners meeting:

* The consent agenda items were approved. These are regular county business items that do not warrant discussion. They are all listed in detail on the meeting agenda notes.

* Resolution approved for Wyoming Downs, LLC, to transfer permit location to conduct parimutuel wagering on live horse racing, historic horse racing, and simulcast events.  Wyoming Downs currently operates a facility at 3617 E Lincolnway, and the resolution will allow them to transfer the permit from that location to the Cadillac Ranch building at 3307 Nationway as soon as the building renovations are complete.

* A public hearing was held regarding a seasonal fireworks permit submitted by J&R Landis Enterprises, LLC, dba USA Fireworks, located at 102 W College Dr. No public comment was received, and the item was approved.

* A public hearing was held regarding a seasonal fireworks permit submitted by Wyoming Fireworks Warehouse, LLC, dba Wyoming Fireworks Warehouse, located at 12616 I-80 Service Rd. There was no public comment, and the item was approved.

* A public hearing was held regarding seasonal fireworks permits submitted by Seasonal Sales, Inc., fka Breanna Elliott, dba Jurassic Fireworks, located at 201 I-25 Service Rd Bldg. A.  Artillery World, located at 237 I-25 Service Rd, Bldg. B. Artillery World, located at 237 I-25 Service Rd, Bldg. C. And a yearly fireworks permit for Artillery World, located at 237 I-25 Service Rd, Bldg. A. (The commissioners denied the last permit at the March 18, 2025, meeting)

Over the past seven years, an owner and several staff members have repeatedly warned this business about public safety issues and other nuisance issues. Last year, the commissioners denied their fireworks permit requests based on the business's continuous pattern of poor behavior. The business sought judicial relief and was granted an injunction by the courts to sell fireworks while the matter was reviewed. 

In March of this year, the courts ruled that the Laramie County Board of Commissioners was within its right to deny the permits and stipulate specific mandates to be followed should it obtain future permits. This prompted the business to offer the commissioners guarantees for future positive behavior by the company and its employees. Should the business violate any stipulations, its permits would be revoked after review. After much discussion, the commissioners unanimously approved the permits for their locations and advised them that they would be closely watched to ensure compliance. 

* Resolution approved appointing Will Moody (Master Plumber), Sean Casey (Master Electrician), and Jack Stadel (Licensed General Contractor) for three-year terms, and Tristan Cordier (Professional Engineer) and Don Shoemaker (Master HVAC) for two-year terms to the Laramie County Board of Building Appeals.

* A public hearing was held regarding adopting the 2024 International Fire Code. There was no public comment, and the item was approved.

* A public hearing was held regarding a subdivision permit and plat for The Badlands subdivision, located north of Sunlight Road and east of Road 120, Laramie County Wy. The proposed subdivision will create thirty-four (34) residential tracts from the 349.82-acre parcel. Tracts will average 10.29 acres each. One of the landowners in the area voiced his concern regarding the widening of a road, which he feared may necessitate moving his fence line.  After discussions with County Planning, Public Works, and the representative for the subdivision property owner, an agreement was made that they would keep him in the loop as the road portion of the project was developed and implemented.  This was amenable to the landowner.  The permit and plat were approved. 

* A public hearing was held about a zone change from MR—Medium Density Residential to MU—Mixed Use at 2118 Persons Rd, Laramie County, WY. There was no public comment, and the item was approved.

* A public hearing was held regarding a vacation and administrative plat of a portion of Tract 5, O'Connor Ranchettes, Laramie County, WY, located north of Bade Road and Happy Jack Road. The application asks to vacate a portion of Tract 5 and subdivide it into two parcels.  Several area landowners voiced their concerns regarding the additional strain on area wells if additional lots were approved.  After much discussion and information provided by Commissioner Thompson regarding groundwater recharge rates in that area, the item was approved.

For complete details, visit the County Commissioner's website.