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Council told to consider opting out of state law that bans firearms in sensitive municipal places
Summary
Staff briefed council on a state law banning carrying firearms in designated sensitive places (including city chambers and municipal court) and recommended bringing a resolution for the council to opt out so it could choose local policy; staff raised safety concerns for leased public‑facing offices and recommended a resolution identifying specific meeting locations if the council opts out.
City staff told the council that Senate Bill 24‑1341 creates a new category of "sensitive places" where carrying firearms is prohibited, but allows local governments to opt out and permit firearms in those locations.
City Manager Michael Penney summarized the options and the staff recommendation: if council wants to allow firearms in the council chambers or other municipal facilities it must pass an opt‑out resolution or ordinance; without opting out, the city’s leased public offices and its council chambers would be subject to the statutory prohibition. Penney noted colleagues’ choices in neighboring jurisdictions: "Castle Rock has opted out. The county has opted out," and staff highlighted that Douglas County Library had also opted out.
Staff also raised safety and operational concerns specific to the city's leased spaces. Penney said staff would be "more comfortable if we did not opt out and specifically stated that firearms were not allowed within Units 20212" (the leased office suite) and suggested if council opted out it should pass a resolution clearly identifying where carry would be allowed and expect the municipal judge to promulgate courtroom rules.
Council did not take immediate action at the meeting; staff said they would bring an ordinance or resolution forward if the council wishes to opt out.
