Cheyenne council postpones administrative-inspection-warrant ordinance after widespread public opposition

The Cheyenne City Council on Jan. 26 voted unanimously to postpone consideration of a proposed ordinance (chapter 1.28) that would authorize certain city officials to seek administrative inspection warrants allowing entry onto private property. The postponement followed extensive public comment and several substitute drafts submitted by residents and attorneys.

Residents repeatedly told the council the ordinance, as drafted, would permit warrantless or internally issued “administrative” warrants that risked bypassing judicial oversight. Gary Pugh, a Ward 1 resident, said the proposal “bypass[es] judicial oversight and weaken[s] the constitutional barrier that protects residents from unreasonable searches and seizures.” State Representative Anne Lucas, who represents portions of the city’s area and said she lives in the county, told the council the ordinance should be limited strictly to “real emergency fires, gas leaks, structural collapse or other situations that can put lives at risk.”

Speakers from multiple neighborhoods, legal practitioners and Realtors’ representatives urged delay so amendments could be drafted and vetted. Charles Miller said he submitted an amendment replacing an “area inspection” standard with a requirement for particularized probable cause, moving authority to a circuit court judge, and ensuring compliance with cited Wyoming statutory protections that he said bar secret searches.

Council members cited the volume and substance of public concern, the presence of at least two substitute drafts, and a desire to engage additional outside legal review. Councilmember Michelle Aldridge said she had learned “more about administrative warrants than I ever dreamed,” and supported postponement so staff, council and the public could reconcile constitutional protections with the city’s interest in addressing abandoned, unsafe properties.

Dr. Rennie moved to postpone the item to the Feb. 9, 2026 meeting; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council directed interested residents and attorneys to participate in a public-service-committee meeting scheduled the week following the meeting to work through proposed substitutes.

The council’s postponement leaves in place existing municipal codes and enforcement tools while staff and council members work to produce revised language they say will better protect privacy rights and define narrow circumstances for warrant authority. The ordinance will return to the council on Feb. 9 unless further postponements are requested.

Ending: The council’s action was procedural: no ordinance was adopted and no change to enforcement authority took effect. The public-service committee and council members signaled they expect continued public involvement while they consider substitute language and potential statutory questions under the Wyoming Constitution.