Concealed carry policy for Northwest College advances

POWELL — Starting July 1, anyone with a concealed carry permit will be legally able to carry a concealed firearm throughout most areas of the Northwest College campus.

In order to provide guidance to those who wish to carry on campus, the board of trustees on Monday considered a new policy to address the matter.

After discussion, the trustees approved sending the new policy on concealed carry to a second reading.

As the policy is written to conform with state statute, people will be able to concealed carry with a permit in most areas of the campus with the exception of areas like labs where there are hazardous materials.

“With the passing of this legislation, we felt it was time to bring this forward as a policy,” NWC President Lisa Watson said. “Also, quite frankly, it was listed as a policy recommendation for development several years ago. So that’s where that’s coming from.”

The policy aligns with state law mandated by House Bill 172, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Legislature — including all county legislators — and which Gov. Mark Gordon allowed to become law without his signature.

The law eliminates most gun free zones as of July 1, and has led to a variety of institutions, such as K-12 schools, to determine how to follow the new law.

Park County School District 1 is weighing options regarding a concealed carry policy for staff. Under statute school districts can require training as stipulated in the bill or no training at all — unlike colleges, which are not able to require any level of training besides having a concealed carry permit.

Watson said while the college isn’t always required to draft a policy to abide by state statute, all of the state community college leaders are determined to draft one together to ensure the colleges are aligned with new state law.

“The purpose of this policy is to promote an educational environment by regulating the possession, use, and storage of firearms and other weapons on all properties owned, leased, and/ or controlled by the College,” the policy reads in part.

Watson said it helps that NWC already has a number of procedures in place that address issues related to firearms, many of which will still be in place.

For instance, Watson said the state statute does not allow Constitutional Carry, in which anyone aged 18 years or older can carry without a permit.

Instead, the policy fits in with the new law in specifically allowing only those ages 21 and older who have a valid concealed carry permit to concealed carry. Those who do are also allowed to secure their weapon in a vehicle, office or on-campus residence only if it is in a biometric container or an approved safe.

As the new policy reads: “The Board of Trustees prohibits the possession, use or storage of firearms and any other dangerous weapons on campus or at any college-sponsored event, unless that individual has been issued and possesses a valid concealed carry permit, or is a certified peace officer; pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104(a)(i) and(ii).”

The policy was developed with input from all eight community colleges alongside legal counsel, State Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne.

This story was published on May 15, 2025.