Chamber and CNCC representatives defend oversight after alcohol left at special-event site; council to follow up

Emma, an event representative, told the Rangely Town Council during a public hearing that alcohol had been inadvertently left in a secured room after a Chamber-sponsored special event but that “no unauthorized individuals accessed it.” She said organizers found “a half open can of alcohol and a tote containing approximately 20 unopened beer cans” the next morning and that the venue was locked at the event’s end.

Emma said the organizers had planned to use wristbands for age verification but could not implement them that night because of time constraints, and pledged new controls: a designated liquor manager for future events, a final post-event alcohol sweep, and additional staff training. “We unintentionally left a half open can of alcohol and a tote containing approximately 20 unopened beer cans on the premises,” she said, adding that organizers regret the oversight and had already met with the college.

Charles hike, who introduced himself as director of the Ranger Law Enforcement Academy, and Angie Miller, Executive Director of Human Resources at CNCC, told council members their students had been asked to help at past events but that students do not have law-enforcement authority and should not be put at risk. Nick Lefever, CNCC facilities director, said he discovered “a half-empty can left on a table” and saw the cooler with what he estimated was “about 20 probably unopened beer” items; he also said the room is not always fully locked and that students had access over the weekend.

Council members pressed organizers on how they would prevent a repeat, asking specifically whether minors had been served and how IDs would be checked. Organizers maintained no minors were served but acknowledged gaps in ID/wristband implementation that night and described plans to card attendees on entry and make wristbands part of future processes. Ashley Taran, speaking from the local liquor-license experience, clarified that in Colorado persons 18 and older may serve alcohol under supervision, while servers and bartenders must be supervised by someone 21 or older.

Jessco leas, who identified themself as president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber had communicated expectations to event staff ahead of the event and affirmed the chamber’s support for the organizers’ corrective actions.

The council limited the hearing to matters relating to the liquor license and did not take immediate punitive action. Members asked staff and the police chief to be available for follow-up questions and said the council would reach out if it needed further information before making any regulatory decisions. The hearing closed with the council thanking participants and noting they would follow up if additional facts emerged.