CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Laramie County Board of Commissioners approved grant applications Tuesday aimed at bolstering local public safety, addressing impaired driving and supporting families affected by suicide.
During the regular meeting, the board ratified two applications to the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security requesting more than $232,000 combined to upgrade equipment for the Emergency Management Agency and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office.
The Emergency Management Agency is seeking $187,358.64 to purchase 24 APX 8000 series portable radios for its communications and mobile command post. According to the application, the new equipment will replace outdated units that are no longer supported by the manufacturer.
“Replacing these outdated radios will enhance operational readiness, improve inter-agency coordination, and ensure the continued safety of our personnel and the communities that we serve,” the agency stated in its project description.
The sheriff’s office applied for $44,999.50 to get 50 tactical ballistic helmets for its patrol officers.
“The helmets provide life saving protection against firearms, shrapnel, and blunt force trauma during high risk scenarios like active shooters, barricaded subjects, and riots,” the sheriff’s office grant application states, adding the helmets will integrate with communication equipment.
Commissioners also ratified a $64,100 grant application to the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Behavioral Grants Program. The funds will support the Laramie County Recovery Courts’ Impaired Driving Reduction and Safety Project.
The grant targets active participants in the DUI Court and Drug Court programs by covering the costs of ignition interlock devices, restricted license fees and alternative transportation like Lyft. It also funds a new breathalyzer for compliance monitoring and staff training at a national conference.
“Removing financial barriers and increasing supervision opportunities are expected to help participants meet legal requirements while preventing alcohol-impaired driving,” the Recovery Courts application states.
The board approved two grant applications to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center on behalf of the Laramie County Coroner’s Office, totaling $7,500.
The funding includes a $5,000 FY27/28 Prevention Grant and a $2,500 FY26 General Community Benefit Grant to purchase grief support books, folders, and educational materials for families who have lost loved ones to suicide. The Coroner’s Office distributes the materials in partnership with local grief support groups and the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Team.
“Funding this request ensures that the Coroner’s Office has the capacity to help families and friends navigate their grief and reduce the risk of additional suicides within Laramie County,” the coroner’s office wrote in its application, highlighting the county’s persistently high suicide rate.
The agenda with links to supporting information is attached below.
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