By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
During a Monday meeting of Garfield County’s commissioners, the board of Tom Jankovsky, Mike Sampson and Perry Will exercised an option to exempt Garfield County from the law, created by Senate Bill 24-131, which prohibits lawful concealed carry by permit holders from government buildings.
The bill, by Democrat Sens. Sonya Jaquez Lewis — who recently resigned in disgrace — and Chris Kolker, took effect in July 2024.
In Garfield County, those who possess a valid concealed carry permit can now take handguns into specific government buildings, in this case the county’s administration buildings, in both Glenwood and Rifle, where the county commissioners have offices.
The opt out provision does not include courthouses. It is still illegal to carry a firearm concealed or otherwise into a courthouse.
“There is a provision in SB 24-131 that allows local governments to opt out of the legislation,” Will said. “This bill was creating a solution to a problem that didn’t exist.”
SB24-131 was signed on May 31, 2024, by Gov. Jared Polis, and prohibits the open or concealed carry of firearms in “sensitive places,” including state legislative buildings and local government buildings. Members of law enforcement, security and military members were carve-out exemptions.
The resolution in Garfield County does not opt out of the entirety of SB 24-131, just the portions of the law that applied to county administration buildings.
Ironically, Garfield County opted out of the provision of the law within days of the Colorado Senate passing SB 25-003, by Sens. Tom Sullivan and Julie Gonzales, considered the most extreme gun control law in the nation’s history. The bill must still clear the House, any necessary reconciliation and the governor. There are differing opinions on whether that semiauto firearm ban will be easier or more difficult to pass through the House.
Garfield County is not alone in exercising their right to opt out of the state provision. Douglas and nearby Mesa counties have also passed resolutions to opt out.
Mesa County opted out in June 2024, just prior to the law taking effect.
“Citizens will be expressly permitted to open carry firearms in existing and future county facilities, except those controlled by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and the Mesa County Justice Center, and concealed carry in all except those controlled by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa County Criminal Justice Services, and the Mesa County Justice Center,” their press release reads.
Douglas County Commissioners exercised their right to opt out on May 14, 2024.
“Douglas County is a constitutional county,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon in a press release following their vote. “We support the right of people to defend themselves.”
Delta, Fremont, Gunnison, Montrose, Moffat and Routt counties have also opted out.
Canon City, located within Fremont, has indicated it will be opting out, as well.