The Pagan’s Motorcycle Club rally in Oak Creek was projected to bring anywhere from 100 to 700 people to the town the weekend of Aug. 15, but only about 30-40 members showed, according to Routt County Undersheriff Joshua Carrell.

The Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, founded in 1957, is considered one of the “Big Four” motorcycle gangs, along with the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett, who has an extensive history in gang activity investigations, said the low turnout could be due to members of the club knowing there would be a large law enforcement presence in the town, and because of the growing Crosho Fire.

“When the original information we heard was up to 700 members, that would have had a profound negative impact on our community,” said Beckett. “Luckily, it was much smaller. We don’t want any gangs getting comfortable being in or operating in our community because when they’re here, we also get drug trafficking.”

“I think everyone in Steamboat would agree that we do not want organized crime in our community, and that’s what they are,” added Beckett.

Beckett and Carrell said that law enforcement issued multiple citations during traffic stops, but no members of the club were arrested over the weekend.

In July, the Colorado Information Analysis Center notified the Routt County Sheriff’s Office that there could potentially be a Pagan’s Motorcycle Club rally in Oak Creek from Aug. 14 or 15 to Aug. 17.

According to a July comment from Carrell, a property purchase in Oak Creek — either personally by a club member or by a family member — came with the information that 100 to 700 people planned to attend the rally, but that the use of the property, whether for the event itself or for other purposes, was unclear.

Local business owners, including Skyler McKinley, owner of the Oak Creek Tavern, had told the Steamboat Pilot & Today the prospect of hundreds of visitors patronizing the town was exciting.

Following what was an underwhelming weekend in that respect, McKinley said Wednesday that the gathering went smoothly for his bar.

“We had more of our regular customers in for a longer period on both Friday and Saturday, so numbers were up” said McKinley. “Our numbers tend to go up when there’s an excitement in the town akin to the Pagan’s rally or akin to all the conversations going on right now about wildfires.”

By the end of the weekend, McKinley said he only saw about six or seven members of the Pagan’s at his bar.

“I would say that the impact of the motorcycle club’s presence was largely unnoticeable,” he continued. “Generally, they were friendly. They were asking thoughtful questions. They were engaging with members in the community.”

Members of the club even donated food to the patrons and staff of The Oak Creek Tavern, McKinley said, who added that he discourages motorcyclists from stopping at Oak Creek Tavern to avoid impaired driving. He also noted that he did see an increased law enforcement presence in the town over the weekend.

“I understand it,” he said. “The sheriff’s office and other law enforcement partners believed there would be a huge number of folks coming into the county. I don’t think that number materialized in that way, but it’s better to be overprepared, right?”

Oak Creek Town Administrator Louis Fineberg said Thursday that he didn’t see any members of the club in the town over the weekend, but “heard” that the Oak Creek residents had a positive experience.

“I guess what’s remarkable is how unremarkable it was,” Fineberg said.

“Everything I heard was that if anyone did have an interaction with (the club members), it was polite and courteous, and they weren’t too concerned,” he added.

Fineberg added that club members also donated food to the firefighters working on the Crosho Fire.

When asked about the property in Oak Creek purchased by a possible member of the club, Fineberg said he met the man when he asked him questions about building permits.

“I mean, if someone wants to come in and buy a building, they’re welcome to do it,” said Fineberg. “It’s a free country. As long as they’re not creating issues while they’re here, then it’s all good by me.”

An attempt to contact the local resident potentially affiliated with the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club was unsuccessful.

“The local member worked with RCSO and provided us information so RCSO could properly prepare to keep the community safe and we thank them for that,” said Carrell in a Friday email to the newspaper. “Our objective is to provide people the opportunity to enjoy everything Routt County has to offer in the safest way possible.”

“RCSO prepared for 100-700 people coming into our communities where an unexpected fire had just begun and evacuations were occurring,” the email from Carrell continued. “RCSO did our best to obtain resources before the event as opposed to after the event had already started … RCSO is committed to our citizens and our communities to keep the peace. We support all citizens who want to gather safely and assemble peacefully in Routt County.”

Beckett said he doesn’t mind when motorcycle clubs come to Routt County communities in a peaceful manner, but he took a strong stance against inviting gang activity.

“They’re like any other person,” said Beckett. “They’re welcome to do what they want. When you hear things from them like when I told them they’re not welcome here, that’s a reference to their gang activity and the gang organization.”

“There’s just a log of violent crime and organized crime that comes with these groups, no matter what they may want to say,” he continued.

Beckett said he wouldn’t be surprised if another biker rally took place in a Routt County community — particularly Oak Creek — again in the future.

“Law enforcement has been dealing with organized crime and motorcycle gangs for a very long time,” he said. “They are not welcome here. We’ll make sure that we address it appropriately and we treat them fairly, but if they break the law, we’re going to address it.”