COMMISSIONERS EXTEND MARIJUANA MORITORIUM

Chaffee County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the
temporary moratorium on Medical Marijuana until Dec. 31, using the
time to consider permanent regulations for zoning and licensing.

The action came during their regular meeting in Buena
Vista.

Martin Wood, owner of Nature's Medicine Wellness Center in Salida
spoke about current regulations he characterized as self-contradictory
and debilitating to business owners.

"Right now centers are required to produce 70 percent of what they
sell, but laws don't allow us to grow here in Chaffee County. We're
told to do our own growing, but at the same time we're not allowed to
do our own growing."

As a consequence, Woods said he has opened a growth center for his
business in Boulder.

He said it's a personal inconvenience creating additional expense
because of the geographical distance between his medical marijuana
center and his growth center.

In addition, he said, it effectively robbed Chaffee County of local
job opportunities.

Commissioner Tim Glenn said even if the board lifts the moratorium,
zoning and regulatory issues remain unresolved.

He emphasized need to continue working on legal details, but to do so
with caution.

"We're entering uncharted territory," he said.

Commissioner Dennis Giese noted associated regulatory measures should
continue during the moratorium extension.

He requested proposed zoning and licensing regulations be available no
later than Nov. 30, with public hearings to follow as soon as possible.

On another topic, commissioners unanimously opposed Proposition 101
and Amendments 60 and 61 on the Nov. 2 Colorado General Election ballot.

Commissioners all emphasized impact the three ballot questions would
have not just on county government, but on citizens.

Bob Christensen, Chaffee County director of general administration,
cautioned the proposition raises Constitutional questions, hence a
need for caution in considering.

Comparing the issue to the medical marijuana amendment, county
attorney Jenny Davis said, "Writing things like these into the
Constitution complicates things immensely and ends up creating jobs
only for attorneys."

In other business, commissioners approved:

Temporary use of off-highway vehicles from Sept. 22-26 on specific
county roads during the Fall Color Tour. Glenn said signs on CR 371
will inform the public.

Amending a zoning map from rural to industrial allowing Dwayne Johnson
to build 140 storage units on five acres.

A boundary line adjustment for Clifford Mestel and Habitat for
Humanity enabling Habitat to build two duplexes on lots from Mestel.

Approved a resolution supporting local administration of the Colorado
Human Service System. It opposes centralization of the call center and
regionalization of human services. Phil Maes, Chaffee County Social
Services director, said both should remain under local control.

The Governor's Child Welfare action committee developed 29
recommendations for improving safety of vulnerable children. Maes said
those two are "controversial."