Torrington council updates Lincoln Community Center rental rules to reflect state concealed-carry changes

Torrington — The Torrington City Council on Monday approved amendments to rental agreements for two rooms at the Lincoln Community Center to align city policy with Wyoming’s revised concealed-carry law.

Chief of Police Matt Johnson told the council the changes reflect a state statute change that took effect July 1, 2025, and that "in accordance with Wyoming State Statute, the lawful carrier of a concealed firearm is permitted." He said the city cannot lawfully prohibit concealed carry where the state allows it, but recommended a local policy forbidding open display of firearms inside the center to address safety concerns.

Johnson and staff also reviewed whether catering permits — which allow licensed vendors to serve alcohol inside the facility — would create an extension of a bar that could implicate a separate statutory bar prohibition; they said they believe that further change was likely unnecessary. "We left that out of there," Johnson said, noting city staff use few catering permits and that the concession applies similarly across the facility.

Council members raised minor questions about highlighted wording and holiday-closure language in the contracts; staff directed the council to the contract schedule where the edits are listed. After discussion, the council voted to approve the amendments for the Pony Express Room and Conestoga Room.

The council’s action updates the Lincoln Community Center rental agreements to reflect the state-level change while allowing the city to regulate open carry by policy rather than by a local criminal prohibition. The council did not state any additional enforcement changes beyond asking noncompliant individuals to leave city property if they refuse to follow policy.

Next steps: the amended agreements were approved on the council floor and will be incorporated into the city's rental paperwork for the affected rooms.