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Chamber says unattended beer left after community event; college and town press for stronger ID and sweep procedures
Summary
At a public hearing, Chamber and event organizers said a half-empty can and about 20 unopened beers were inadvertently left in a locked room after a special event; CNCC and the Chamber described new steps (a designated liquor czar, wristbands, post-event sweeps) and the college warned it will not use students for security going forward.
The Rangely Town Council held a public hearing focused solely on whether a special-event liquor permit was violated after event organizers acknowledged leftover alcohol was found on college premises. Emma Varas, speaking for the Chamber, said organizers discovered a "0.5 open can of alcohol and a tote containing approximately 20 unopened beer cans" left in a secured room after the event and emphasized that "no unauthorized individuals accessed it." Varas said the room was locked and that organizers had implemented a stricter post-event sweep and a designated "liquor czar" to prevent recurrence.
College representatives pushed back on use of students at events. Charles Hike, director of the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy, told the council he was "not happy" about how students have been used at some community events and said academy students lack peace officer authority; Hike said the academy "isn't going to participate in any of these events" in the future because he must protect students from liability. CNCC's Angie Miller said she did not personally see the alcohol and that the college's senior executive assistant had handled event duties; facilities director Nick Lefever reported finding the container and an empty can on Monday morning and said the Colorado room "is not ever fully locked."
Council members and local license operators clarified state rules for serving and IDing: Ashley Tarrin, who identified herself as the owner of Coach's Corner, noted that "you only have to be 18 to serve alcohol in the state of Colorado" but servers must be supervised by someone 21. Several councilors pressed whether staff consistently ID'd attendees and whether wristband procedures were followed; Varas and the Chamber said they will use wristbands and card anyone who looks under 50, and organizers agreed to tighter supervision and a final sweep after future events.
The council did not take disciplinary action at the meeting; members said they would follow up if additional information from the police chief or the college becomes available.
