Rock Springs City Council’s alcohol amendment ordinance causes hesitation
ROCK SPRINGS — While most locals believe the city’s identity is tied to its history as a mining town and its outdoor recreation opportunities, others – particularly law enforcement officers — believe there is evidence of a strong drinking culture in Rock Springs.
City officials recently discussed minors being present in establishments that serve alcohol.
An amendment to an ordinance pertaining to prohibiting sales of liquor to minors and licensed building restrictions was debated by the Rock Springs City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 19.
The amendment would allow people under the age of 21 to enter and remain in a microbrewery until 8 p.m., instead of 10 p.m.
Establishments primarily earning revenue from on-premises alcohol sales or consumption generally cannot knowingly allow minors to enter or stay on the premises, according to the ordinance. However, there are exceptions, including for restaurants where food sales are the main revenue sources or those with a commercial kitchen allowing minors until 8 p.m.
Rock Springs Police Chief Bill Erspamer expressed his views on the ordinance, saying “it seems like a bad idea,” and mentioning that alcohol consumption seems to be a cultural issue in the community.
“We keep loosening the laws,” Erspamer said, referring to the open container ordinance in the downtown area.
On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Rock Springs City Council approved the downtown open container ordinance. Residents are allowed to carry and drink alcoholic beverages outdoors in the downtown district from June 1 to Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., according to the ordinance.
“I think allowing children in our bars, even if it’s just the microbreweries, is a slippery slope that I would oppose,” Erspamer said.
Councilman Rob Zotti said even though he supports an individual’s right to drink whenever and wherever they want, he urged his fellow councilors to “think this through” and do what they think is best, but “to look at both sides of the argument before making a decision.”
“We have an issue with drug abuse in our community, and it seems like we have loosened a lot of rules over the last few years,” Zotti said, “I think we need to maybe start paying attention to what we’re doing and what the impacts potentially could be, especially with our youth.”
The third reading of this amendment will be added to the council’s Sept. 2 agenda.
This story was published on August 27, 2025.