Park County Commissioners keep ‘graphic language’ in document

CODY (WNE) — In response to public comments, the Park County Board of County Commissioners made changes to the Development Standards and Regulations document not to  classify nude model studios as adult entertainment.

The request was one that the county had been aware of since early in the DSR-1 process, BOCC chair Dossie Overfield said during the board’s August 19 meeting. During a public comment review held during last Tuesday’s meeting, the board was reminded of the issue by comments made by Linda Raynolds.

“I object to artist studios continuing to be classified as adult entertainment. Drawing, painting, and painting the undraped figure (nude mode) is the foundational study for an art student,” Raynolds wrote in her comment. “Legislating what artists can do in their own private studios in Park County is ignorant.”

In order to allow for nude model studios to continue their work, the County updated their definitions to remove those studios from being included under the adult entertainment classification.

During the same meeting, the board of commissioners elected not to remove the graphic language used to describe adult entertainment businesses. 

During the DSR-1 process, the definitions used in the DSR document faced criticism from members of the public for being overly explicit.

“We had a discussion with both us (the board of commissioners) and the Planning and Zoning commission, that even though it is pretty graphic language, it protects us more to have that language in there to be sure that no one can slide through the cracks in getting a use in that we really don’t want to see,” Overfield said.

This story was published on August 25, 2025.