The Cheyenne City Council on Aug. 25 voted to postpone consideration of a proposed noise ordinance intended to revise vehicle muffler, smoke and noise regulations until its Sept. 8 meeting, after multiple public comments and council members’ requests for more community engagement.

The ordinance (listed as item 9) would have created a revised municipal code section governing vehicle mufflers, excessive smoke and unreasonable noise and would repeal a prior muffler section. Council members said the goal is to reduce vehicle noise and establish a graduated penalty structure for repeat offenses.

Several members of the public spoke during the meeting. Howard Bauer of Fifth Avenue and Moore asked whether the ordinance would apply to Frontier Days bands and pedicabs; Mayor Collins and staff said bands operating under special event noise permits would likely be exempt and that pedicabs could be ticketed if they exceeded the ordinance’s provisions. Don Nath, who identified himself as a car collector, said one of his vehicles meets federal DOT standards yet reads higher on the city’s decibel meter and argued that existing disturbance-of-the-peace laws could address obnoxious noise. Vic Contrado told the council he supports stronger noise abatement to protect residents who work shifting schedules and need daytime sleep.

Sheldon, identified as Ward 2, said he opposed the ordinance as written and criticized its lack of a specific decibel limit, the use of prima facie language giving officers discretion, and the possibility of incarceration for repeat offenses. Sheldon said aftermarket exhaust systems that comply with federal DOT and emissions rules were not adequately addressed in the draft ordinance.

Council discussion explained that the postponement was meant to give time for more community input and to work on enforceability. Doctor Aldridge, who seconded the postponement, said the police met with local car clubs and performed decibel checks for more than 80 people at a recent outreach meeting; he urged further outreach to car and motorcycle enthusiasts to craft an enforceable ordinance. Mister Moody invited suggestions and public comments by email for possible amendments.

Mister Seagrave moved to postpone consideration of the ordinance to the Sept. 8, 2025 meeting; Doctor Aldridge seconded. The motion to postpone passed by voice vote (ayes recorded, no opposition). The council indicated it will revisit the ordinance at the Sept. 8 meeting with additional community input and possible revisions to decibel measurements, enforcement language and penalties.

No amendments to the ordinance were adopted at the Aug. 25 meeting.