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Residents press Westminster to act after safety complaints at new downtown rodeo venue
Summary
Multiple residents and business owners told council about repeated late‑night noise, fights, alcohol in the parking lot and traffic dangers since the new rodeo/convention center opened; business owners cited licensing and dram‑shop exposure and asked the police and special permitting board to enforce standards.
Dozens of residents and downtown business owners told Westminster city leaders on April 27 that events at a newly opened rodeo/convention venue have created repeated safety, noise and public‑nuisance problems.
Christine Wears, owner of Kokopelli Leaf Your Company, said the venue’s events have produced “unsupervised, uncontrolled alcohol consumption in the parking lot involving individuals of all ages,” recurring fights, broken glass and incidents where police recovered illicit substances. “Night after night” the gatherings continue, she said, and even when police disperse crowds the drinking resumes afterward.
Several residents described sleep disruption and dangerous behavior near their homes. Adina McGibbon said the first‑night opening was “a nightmare” that left her unable to sleep; Jeremy Parker said he recorded an attempted hit‑and‑run near the parking area. Attorney Julian Bendinelli warned of legal liability for businesses that over‑serve: under Colorado dram‑shop law, establishments that over‑serve intoxicated patrons can face civil exposure when those patrons later cause injury.
Councilors acknowledged the problem and outlined the enforcement process. Mayor Claire Carmelia and councilors told speakers the police are the investigating agency and can refer cases to the special permit and license board for a judicial hearing that gives licensees notice and an opportunity to be heard. Councilors emphasized that due‑process protections mean administrative action can be methodical; several asked residents to continue reporting violations to police so investigators can compile evidence.
City Manager Andrews said staff paused approvals for new event centers while reviewing ordinances and that police and licensing staff are prioritizing complaints tied to this venue. Council members asked the police chief to provide a status update to council and said they will consider executive‑session briefings for legal matters if appropriate.
What’s next: residents should report violations to Westminster Police; police can refer enforcement actions to the special permit and license board or to the state Department of Revenue for liquor‑licensing enforcement. Council asked staff to prepare status information and to coordinate enforcement steps without compromising investigations.
