Resident questions council's penalty for Chamber liquor-license violation

A resident raised concerns at the April 8 Rangely Town Council meeting about the town's handling of a liquor-license violation involving the Chamber of Commerce, calling the penalty "harsh" and urging consistent enforcement.

Don Alroi, who identified himself as a Rangely resident, said he was "a little confused on why it was such a harsh punishment," and asked the council to explain why ticketing or fines were not pursued in this instance. He said he had attended meetings and expected the Chamber to address allegations in person.

Council members responded that the town had not issued criminal fines in the matter and that special-event permits are handled locally, while liquor-store licenses and certain state enforcement actions fall under state rules. Council discussion noted multiple violations were documented during the town's review and stressed that, while the Chamber was not issued the town's special-event permit, third-party arrangements for alcohol sales (for example, the Elks or another group obtaining the permit) could allow events to continue without the Chamber holding the license.

A council member also said the town contributes about $20,000 annually to the Chamber and that the council's intent was to signal stricter oversight of future special-event permit compliance.

The resident pressed whether the Chamber had been given an opportunity to rebut student testimony that informed the town's investigation; council members said interviews with students had occurred and that the investigating staff described the interactions as part of the record. The council invited follow-up conversations but did not reopen the enforcement action during the meeting.

The exchange concluded without any further formal action; council members indicated they remain open to revisiting penalties but defended their decision for administrative reasons and to emphasize future compliance.