Bill Will Allow State Park Rangers to Act Outside Park Boundaries

JANUARY 23, 2025|

Photo – Sheriff Bakken testifies before state lawmakers – Courtesy Sheriff Bakken’s Facebook page

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken testified before state lawmakers in support of a bill that will allow state park rangers to act as law enforcement officers outside of park boundaries.

On January 12^th, the Wyoming Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee met in Cheyenne to discuss Senate File 0004, a bill to amend the definition of peace officer to clarify and expand the scope of authority for park rangers.

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken joined Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak and Executive Director of Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police Alan Thompson in support of the bill.

Sheriff Bakken told Bigfoot 99 that state park rangers undergo the same training as all other law enforcement agents in Wyoming. However, under current regulations, the jurisdiction of park rangers is typically limited to the boundaries of the state parks they patrol. Under Senate File 0004, Seminoe State Park rangers will be able to provide assistance to the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office in matters that occur outside of the state park.

At the January 16^th Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee meeting, Sheriff Bakken explained that Carbon County is home to the third largest reservoir in the state, Seminoe Reservoir. The sheriff testified that Senate File 0004 may allow the Seminoe State Park ranger to respond to emergency calls at the nearby reservoir faster than a sheriff’s deputy.

Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Director Dave Glenn also testified during the January 16^th meeting. Director Glenn said he was initially against the measure, saying that he did not want park rangers to act as traffic cops. However, after reading a draft copy of the bill stating that rangers will only be called out for emergencies, Glenn said he changed his mind. Senate File 0004 will ensure that the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources agency maintains its commitment to improve the lives of residents.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Sheriff Bakken said the senate committee appeared receptive to the idea of expanding the jurisdiction of state park rangers, voting to move the bill to the next step. Due to the large size of Carbon County, the sheriff said Senate File 0004 will help his department a great deal.

The Wyoming Senate voted to pass Senate File 0004 into law on Tuesday morning, with a vote of 21 for and eight against.