J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, immediately petitioned to have the
ordinance repealed. However, the voters upheld the ordinance in a citywide
referendum which was conducted concurrently with the 2004 general election. The
opponents then challenged the validity of the election in court, claiming
various irregularities. However, the judge ruled that the opponents had failed
to meet their burden of showing significant problems with the election, and the
ordinance, which had become effective in April 2005, remained in effect. In
August 2005, Laramie's City Council defeated an attempt to amend the ordinance
to allow smoking in bars and private clubs
