The Lander City Council approved a resolution this week allowing for public consumption of alcohol within city limits on the Fourth of July.
The resolution exempts the Lander city limits from the open container provisions of city ordinance 2-2-12 on July 4, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m.
“The City of Lander celebrates Independence Day each year, (and) the celebration on the 4th of July is city-wide,” the resolution states. “The City Council feels that waiving the open container law within the City limits of Lander is in the best interest of the City of Lander.”
Before voting on the resolution, Councilmember Julia Stuble asked whether the tradition of allowing public consumption of alcohol in town on the Fourth of July has resulted in any “habitual or problematic … issues” for the Lander Police Department.
LPD Chief Scott Peters said it hasn’t been a problem in the past.
“There haven’t really been any issues,” he said, guessing that “we’d probably have more of an issue” if the exemption wasn’t in place. “I don’t really have any concerns.”
Regardless, Councilmember Missy White said “it’s good to remind the public” that the open container exemption is “a privilege, not a right.”
“Please don’t be the person that ruins it for the whole community,” she said. “Be responsible with your activities (so we can) keep this tradition … going.”
Councilmember Melinda Cox voted against the resolution.
For more information, call the City of Lander at 332-2870.