Residents of Happy Valley, a subdivision in Laramie County, Wyoming, recently celebrated the demolition of a property they said had become a hub for illegal activities and community disruptions, Cowboy State Daily reports.
This resolution was the result of months of cooperative efforts between the neighborhood, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, and county officials.
The issue began when squatters moved into an abandoned home at 1226 Brundage Road, transforming it into what neighbors described as a “drug house.” For residents like Happy Valley HOA Vice President Jim Rothenbuhler, a former law enforcement officer, the signs of illicit activity were clear.
“There were as many as a half dozen cars coming and going all night,” Rothenbuhler told Cowboy State Daily.
Strangers roamed the neighborhood at odd hours, sometimes trespassing on porches. Discarded items, including pots and pans, added to the chaos, and the situation escalated into a full-blown nuisance.
Rothenbuhler and his neighbors felt increasingly unsafe.
“I had my family sleep in the back while I stayed in the front with guns locked and loaded, just in case,” he said.
Rothenbuhler’s law enforcement background prompted him to act decisively. He alerted the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, which conducted five weeks of surveillance before executing a drug raid in August. During this time, Rothenbuhler also worked with county officials to address numerous code violations associated with the property.
The effort culminated in the August raid, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Several arrests were made, although details remain limited due to the ongoing investigation.
“I saw people in handcuffs, police lights, and officers everywhere” recalled a neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous. “It was surreal to see it finally being addressed.”
The property had been a source of problems for years, said Randy Smith, another neighbor. The original owner had made piecemeal additions to the home, resulting in a structure that violated county and HOA regulations. After the owner’s death, squatters moved in, further deteriorating the property’s condition.
Trash piles, vermin, and illegal activities became common, affecting the quality of life for the neighborhood. Some residents felt terrorized, with one anonymous neighbor describing unsettling encounters with strangers knocking on doors late at night.
On Thursday, months of effort paid off with the demolition of the troubled property. The owner now plans to replace it with a modular home that complies with county and HOA codes.
Rothenbuhler credited the successful outcome to collaboration.
“The county, the sheriff’s department, and everyone involved worked together,” he said.
For many residents, the experience underscored the value of a well-functioning HOA and community engagement.
“An HOA is no better than the people who serve it,” Rothenbuhler noted. “But when people step up, it can make a real difference.”
The community’s relief is palpable. Smith summed up the sentiment, saying:
“We never thought it would happen, but it did. Now, we can finally move forward.”
