Council approves first reading to align Sunday alcohol hours with weekday schedule

The Riverton City Council on first reading approved Ordinance 25-001, which would amend the city’s alcoholic beverage rules to allow liquor sales daily from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., with drive-through service limited to 6 a.m.–midnight.

Administrative Services Director Ms. Harris told the council the proposed change follows discussions with local liquor-license holders and a review of other Wyoming municipalities. “To better support local businesses and stay in line with these communities, the staff is proposing a change to the city ordinance,” she said, noting staff researched 10 municipalities and found consistent daily hours across the state.

The proposal prompted a divided response during public comment and council discussion. Longtime resident Ron Wartness opposed expanding sales hours and invoked historical and personal views: “If you want to do it, we can come up with a hundred reasons of why we should do it. If you don't want to do it, one reason is enough,” he said, and recommended keeping more restrictive hours.

Business owners urged more flexible hours for practical reasons. Janet Peterson, who said she owns Ralph’s Bar, argued extended hours can reduce safety problems tied to patrons traveling between towns: “If we keep them here, we can get the cab for them,” she told council.

Council debate referenced local public-safety statistics. Councilwoman Karen Johnson cited statewide and county-level data used by law-enforcement groups and said, “I see 0 reason to extend the hours and give more opportunity for alcohol consumption in our community and I'm gonna stand very very strong on that.” Other council members said enforcement of existing prohibitions on serving visibly intoxicated people is central and that extending hours may not change overall consumption patterns.

The ordinance passed on first reading by voice vote; the council’s motion was made by Councilman Bailey and seconded by Councilman Carr. The council discussed possible alternatives, including permit-based extensions for special events, but did not adopt a permit route at this meeting. Staff noted some license holders said they would not change their hours even if ordinance language allowed later sales.

If approved on second reading the ordinance would replace the current Sunday restriction (noon–10 p.m.) with the daily 6 a.m.–2 a.m. window; drive-through sales would remain limited to midnight. The item will return for further council consideration as required by the city’s ordinance-adoption process.