DENVER LEADERS JOCKEY ON MEDICAL POT WITH KEY VOTE SET FOR TUESDAY

Denver's City Council continues to wrestle with a controversial
zoning issue surrounding medical-marijuana grow facilities as it
prepares to take the final vote tonight on new pot ordinances.

The dispute has resulted in a threat of a lawsuit against one
councilwoman, fears from business owners who believe the city is
setting them up for closure and posturing by council members running
for higher office.

The vote tonight on an ordinance that would set new licensing
procedures and requirements may face a hitch if an amendment is
floated over the most controversial aspect - hearings required for 52
grow facilities that set up shop in locations where the zoning has
changed.

Hearings will begin in two years to determine whether the facilities
are a nuisance and could lead to their being shut down.

Facility owners have argued that the uncertainty of what will occur in
two years puts their businesses at risk.

"Why would we invest in nearly $500,000 in upgrades to be put out of
business in two years?" asked Danielle Hurley, owner of Riverside
Wellness Marijuana Center, which has a grow facility.

Councilman Doug Linkhart said Monday that he may put up an amendment,
if he believes he has the votes, to change the timeline to four years.

Last week, a similar amendment failed 7-6, but council members have
been lobbying one another to change votes.

"These companies have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and
hired dozens of employees. There is no negative effect," Linkhart
said. "To me, it's about jobs."

Much of the debate has been focused on one grow facility in the River
North neighborhood - a large warehouse that some people believe is
holding back redevelopment of the area.

The owners of the grow operation say they have done nothing wrong and
that they simply leased an empty warehouse and started a business.

On Thursday, they sent notice that they intend to sue Councilwoman
Judy Montero, developer Mickey Zeppelin and former Councilwoman Susan
Barnes-Gelt, seeking $1.5 million in damages and alleging that the
three are working together to run the business out of operation.

Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell said that "the claims, at
least insofar as they are directed at Councilwoman Montero, are
completely devoid of any merit."