Officials Fear Problems At Ranch Rave
Dance Party Sponsored By Denver Promoter
CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Wyoming authorities are concerned about thousands of teens from all across Colorado who are expected to attend a weekend rave planned for a Wyoming Ranch.
A Denver-area promoter is sponsoring a rave just across the Wyoming border at the Terry Bison Ranch. Tickets to the event are available only at stores in Colorado.
Triad Dragons Entertainment is sponsoring the Caffeine Tour 2001, which is expected to feature DJ Micro, a nationally known figure in techno music.
Wyoming authorities are not happy about the event, 7NEWS reporter Ronda Scholting said.
The ranch is located only a few feet north of the Colorado-Wyoming state line, and it is a tourist attraction for families with children. There is a working ranch on the property, and the ranch buildings can be rented for parties and events.
On Saturday night, up to 10,000 people could be on the property at a rave dance party that, according to the promoter's website, won't end until the sun comes up.
Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer and other state officials said that they are most worried about the illegal drugs, including ecstasy and methamphetamine, that seem to go hand in hand with raves.
Geringer said he has no doubt that the concert's organizers want to
hold raves in Wyoming because authorities are trying to minimize
such parties in neighboring Colorado.
"I want to make it clear that Wyoming is not open for business
to promoters and organizers of rave parties," he said.
Chris Campbell, an attorney for Triad Dragons Entertainment, said in a statement that the event is not a rave, and promoters have had a working relationship with the Laramie County Sheriff's Office throughout the planning of the event.
Three off-duty sheriff's deputies will be at the event, along with 40 of the promoter's own security personnel, according to Campbell.
Campbell said that the sheriff's office has signed off on the event and "the Governor is making political hay. He is making the event into something it is not."
State law enforcement officials said that the ranch didn't know that the event was a rave until after a contract was signed.
Dan Thiel, general manager of Terry Bison Ranch, said the ranch
was told that the event was a technical and musical light show.
Thursday, he found out from event promoters that the show would be
a rave.
The ranch is reviewing its options with an attorney, he said. If
the show goes forward, Thiel said that he will not sell beer as planned.
"This was never intended to be anything other than wholesome
entertainment," Thiel said.
Part of the appeal of raves is their spontaneous nature and the
fact that they are kept secret until the last minute. Organizers
pick the time and place and then quickly get the word out through
fliers and cell phones.
Tom Pagel, head of the Wyoming Division of Criminal
Investigation, said that the rave would run counter to the state's anti-drug efforts.
"Parents are absolutely crazy if they let their kids go to
these things," he said. "Our parents need to be in an uproar over
this. To hold a rave in Wyoming is an embarrassment to our whole
state."
Several local law enforcement agencies are preparing for potential problems at the event, 7NEWS reported.
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"This was never intended to be anything other than wholesome
entertainment," Thiel said.
Part of the appeal of raves is their spontaneous nature and the
fact that they are kept secret until the last minute. Organizers
pick the time and place and then quickly get the word out through
fliers and cell phones.
Tom Pagel, head of the Wyoming Division of Criminal
Investigation, said that the rave would run counter to the state's anti-drug efforts.
"Parents are absolutely crazy if they let their kids go to
these things," he said. "Our parents need to be in an uproar over
this. To hold a rave in Wyoming is an embarrassment to our whole
state."
Several local law enforcement agencies are preparing for potential problems at the event, 7NEWS reported.
Previous Stories:
- March 17, 2001: Church Declared A 'Nuisance' For Its Raves
- March 13, 2001: Nude Man Killed On Highway Was At Rave Party, Friends Say
- February 26, 2001: Drug Arrests Made At Rave
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.








