[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6389346,"mediaKeyId","2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364","parentId",2113423,"title","Pueblo cannabis industry urges pause on code fee increases; county staff to rework hearing-language and solicit feedback","audioSeconds",3152,"startMs",900000,"endMs",4052000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364&start=900&end=4052","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364/thumbnail_900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6389346/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-cannabis-industry-urges-pause-on-code-fee-increases-county-staff-to-rework-hearing-language-and-solicit-feedback","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389346-4c6577e1333dc61a97641bb356698a80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188005&Signature=FUqPlsgfCgzfSXpuYyiescM1WaAzmkHqIVwaHAIJJm4ZZWtNY3zml7odvvxyycaI1BxIVl02wTmBqE7K6d9KmlI1O7nLxYq0xHIO7vsk5USBrOHhr2q5-aEt9Sln~WwxJzRuYS7~Dy~o0afkS1BllakqEwN~UaYMefk3KVHbtPSdWF3KkHnO9ryxXbcq1qiGl5JPiZVyFxze5tBJ76Ickj0rvGbceIZCyMDratTHpXFfXzCIz3lLKzsb7rnyqeyiR~gLh5GovZOscwuGuozzaRt~iNXqxllnzHL6xRhOiuhABouGu2rpu3OX8PDiNCobU9Kxt4bNcWIimIJ6h2mbzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo County, CO","date","2025-01-02T00:00:00Z","article","Members of Pueblo County’s marijuana industry told commissioners on Jan. 2 that proposed changes to the county’s marijuana licensing code—especially fee increases affecting medical cultivators—would threaten local businesses and prompted calls for a pause and broader stakeholder engagement.

Sarah Long, the county staff member leading the code revisions, said the draft language under discussion on Jan. 2 repeated the proposals previously shown to the commission and that staff had met with industry representatives to hear concerns. Long said most feedback was neutral or clarifying but that comments about fees—particularly for medical cultivation—warranted further conversation.

Several industry speakers told the board the market is sharply down and that county fee increases would add pressure. Richard Quessel, identified as representing Heartland Cannabis Products, described dramatic declines in revenue and difficulties collecting accounts receivable: “We’re currently lucky to get about 40% of the sales that we did last year,” he said, and later reported that Heartland’s sales were roughly $4,700,000 last year with net earnings of about $114,000. Quessel described multiple rounds of layoffs and efforts to keep employees paid without owner distributions. He asked the board to pause any action until county leaders and industry representatives could meet to review market realities.

Sean Honecker of Yeti Farms and other operators echoed the request for a pause. Honecker said the industry struggles with cash flow and enforcement costs and urged a delay on fee modifications: “I think it’s a good idea to push this off and discuss a little bit more later pertaining to any more fees,” he said.

Industry speakers raised multiple specific complaints about operating conditions, including: county inspections and fines (one speaker cited a $25,000 penalty tied to a surveillance system issue), higher contractor charges because businesses are identified as cannabis-related, elevated property taxes, and different treatment for hemp producers. Several speakers asked the board to convene an industry-wide stakeholder meeting and said they had tried to meet with county officials without sufficient follow-up.

County attorneys and staff described two categories of proposed code changes. Sarah Long and Kyle Aber said one set of edits (Chapter 516) would change how hearing-officer orders are finalized to speed up decisions in uncontested cases; staff said those changes would not remove a licensee’s right to request rehearing before the Liquor and Marijuana Licensing Board. Staff proposed separate edits (Chapter 512) that included fee increases, a business-operator license, and an optional one-time $250 application fee to combine multiple license expiration dates into a single annual renewal cycle.

Staff and several commissioners signaled a willingness to refine the 516 language to address industry procedural concerns while pausing fee-related changes to give the incoming board and industry time to meet. “What I can do is re-tweak that 516 language, and then Kyle can send that out to the industry and ask for any, maybe any written feedback on the 516 changes to see if there’s anything, that there are still concerns about,” Long said. Staff proposed keeping the efficiency changes (hearing procedure timing and the optional combined renewal application) under further review and holding broader fee and business-operator changes for additional stakeholder engagement.

Commissioners said they wanted tightened language that prevents unintended discretionary enforcement while preserving the administrative efficiencies staff seeks. One county attorney explained the proposed 516 change was intended to prevent a licensing applicant from being penalized because the licensing board could not meet in time for routine approvals; she and staff described the proposal as already-practiced exceptions in limited circumstances such as late special-event permits.

No ordinance or fee schedule was adopted on Jan. 2. County staff committed to revise the draft language for Chapter 516, circulate it to industry participants for written feedback, and—if no significant objections are returned—bring the refined 516 language to a statutory meeting. The larger package of fee and licensing changes in Chapter 512 will be held for further review and stakeholder meetings with industry and county staff; staff suggested returning the broader package for future consideration after the new board is seated and discussions have occurred.

Industry representatives accepted invitations from at least one commissioner to arrange facility tours and follow-up meetings. Staff reminded participants that Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests remain an available tool for parties seeking documentation about how licensing fees are spent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pueblo County BOCC Work Session | January 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Marijuana operators told the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 2 that proposed licensing-code fee increases and other changes would worsen severe cash-flow problems and urged a pause and broader stakeholder talks.","taxTitle","Pueblo County, Colorado","taxId",4963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389349,"Local group asks Pueblo County to name elections office for early woman legislator Carrie Clyde Holly",861,33000,894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364&start=33&end=894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364/thumbnail_33000.jpg","/articles/6389349/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Local-group-asks-Pueblo-County-to-name-elections-office-for-early-woman-legislator-Carrie-Clyde-Holly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389349-ba7fe3d732acc0c0b0ca4e29a3eb55a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188005&Signature=iFiuhSLqEmJTWx1HMUy5D0wCHGdQ4wz~1wSsc-whfge7EXg2yPTuJ6yZQQ~N7QmiwY7A~ldzCbb7dCg-KpK8UDbSjKcfY-CvcFTw0o-UbsGcSqvomHMQ04yLFm7hanMzm8xYvakpEvJG5plV3IMuZA7OYhhl3VgvS1mCAT9GddWJViQ729RwbVFLJp1lC0uQG~p4xtNWg4cCrIutHY5wO6KoHkLOYWV~IpS-DUWYnl-EiBA0LWdVC4rWd2Y~5eInhwXdGfYynlLvwmgvuOnkSt~QFhrPtBmvaoaHWD0uJZ6aIEqqX6h5QWmDb17BrlhFesU9AdKDZdn0uJqZ07v8pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Victoria Markinson, representing the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Group, asked the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 2 to formally name the county elections office after Carrie Clyde Holly and to place a portrait and historical materials on public display.

Markinson told commissioners the group has struggled to raise funds for a previously approved statue and instead bought and paid for an oil portrait and a plaque. \"We would like to have the Pueblo County elections department formally named the Carrie Clyde Holly Pueblo County Elections department,\" she said, and asked that the portrait and related memorabilia be displayed in a lobby area so more people could see them.

The request matters, Markinson said, because Holly was a Pueblo pioneer in politics: the group’s handout states she was the first woman attorney in Pueblo, one of the first women elected to what is now House District 46, a school board president and, the group said, the first woman in the United States to get a bill passed. Markinson said fundraising for a statue in the range of $150,000 has proved difficult and the group is proposing the naming and display as an alternative public honor.

Commissioners expressed support in principle but said they want to hear from the county clerk and recorder, Candice Rivera, before taking formal action. “Before I make any—or anyone is going to make any call on this—I’d rather talk to Ms. Rivera,” one commissioner said. Markinson said she had spoken with Rivera twice and that Rivera was “very much an advocate” for the idea.

County staff and commissioners suggested practical next steps: confirm the clerk’s support, identify appropriate public display space (several commissioners noted ongoing courthouse remodeling and lobby areas that could be suitable), and return the item to a future work session or regular agenda with the clerk’s confirmation. Markinson told the board the group would be happy to work with county staff on placement and on fundraising tools such as an on-site donation box to support further elements like a plaque or reception.

Commissioners and staff asked for more detail about placement and timing; Markinson said the group would welcome an unveiling in March (Women’s History Month) even if all exhibit elements were not yet complete. No formal naming or appropriation was made at the Jan. 2 work session; commissioners directed staff to obtain confirmation from the clerk and to schedule the matter for a future agenda once that confirmation is in hand.

The suffrage group identified a paid, commissioned oil portrait (approximately 4 feet tall including the frame) and a plaque as items already funded and ready for display. The group also noted it possesses additional memorabilia and a state-recognition document the presenters said had been given to the group.

The board did not vote on naming or funding at the meeting. Staff indicated that if the clerk confirms support, the item could be returned to a work session or regular agenda for formal discussion and possible direction to staff or a vote by the commissioners.

Markinson and other group members said they will coordinate with the clerk’s office and county staff on next steps.

The presentation occurred during the Board’s Jan. 2 work session; commissioners said they would place the item on a future agenda after confirming the clerk’s position.","Victoria Markinson, representing the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Group, asked the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 2 to name the county elections office after Carrie Clyde Holly and to display a paid portrait and related memorabilia in a public area.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6389341,"Commissioners direct follow-up on select budget lines, approve $950 invoice payment and vote to enter executive session",3954,897000,4851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364&start=897&end=4851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113423-13c1fb38782c165dfaf93daf1395e364/thumbnail_897000.jpg","/articles/6389341/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Commissioners-direct-follow-up-on-select-budget-lines-approve-950-invoice-payment-and-vote-to-enter-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6389341-8e0d16e01a31001491d0d63ee939e3c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188005&Signature=o9wSrKb~LjPX8WA7lnEt~9TcaVo9sQmG2-~LCau4kt0L2gYiVBTWrZZ2jmw3Oo-n4X9MrxP4jVcte1kyxVbM2lrGvjnGNriRblfwV7pMVTLts7HozEDyygdB0PPXyDcWyGsVMmzWoGnUOwRZTrEI7zR9KQaeOB5ZOYXbvaZX7ZpHUA-htqM6LpAPIaSyZ1ATa6p8iTsPbArfg5W-y~r7vITdnW8syckkQgSYKr2jwuU9P4bsh-kmwJelTTp9cddSNKEV2bYHEl8FmOzSf2HoLomDtGpqvVz8s16M7IFePjJAx5SeIZ8KWttx4~b2uJ1BiioopsXBQnSpDSclv~qKPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County manager Vina Giannizio asked the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 2 for direction about follow-up work on line items in the FY 2025 budget after the board’s total-budget approval. Giannizio said staff would compare submitted department and elected-official requests with the adopted base and highlight items that were not funded and that might warrant additional board discussion.

Commissioners identified a small set of outstanding questions, including a pending sheriff’s office request (about $900,000) and clerks’ office questions related to a Pueblo West location. Staff proposed preparing a prioritized analysis of the remaining or partially funded requests and delivering that information to commissioners by Friday so the board could provide further direction during a Monday check-in and a potential Thursday meeting if final action were needed.

On a separate administrative item, commissioners agreed to pay an outstanding invoice of $950 to Ridgeline Electric and Solar to complete an earlier decision to support Los Pobres’ solar installation; staff said the invoice would be processed and could be applied to 2024 or 2025 accounting as appropriate.

At the end of the work session County Attorney Cynthia Mitchell asked the board to convene an executive session to receive legal advice and to develop negotiation strategy under Colorado law related to (1) a contract for placement of a child in Department of Human Services custody and benefits for elected officials, (2) a contract with the law firm Semple, Barrington, Everol & Case, and (3) potential real estate matters including the possible purchase of 414 West 9th Street and a potential lease of space in the GSC building at 201 West 8th Street (all matters cited under C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b), (e) and (a)). A motion to convene executive session was made, seconded and approved; the board recorded the affirmative voice vote and entered executive session.

Commissioners directed staff to prepare the requested budget analyses and documentation for elected officials and department lines, and staff said it would provide a timeline to outside entities receiving county funding so organizations know when to expect payments.","At the Jan. 2 Pueblo County work session the county manager outlined follow-up steps to revisit select budget line items and commissioners agreed staff would prepare priority analyses for the incoming schedule; the board also approved payment of a $950 invoice for a nonprofit solar project and voted to enter an executive session to receive legal","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pueblo cannabis industry urges pause on code fee increases; county staff to rework hearing-language and solicit feedback

Local group asks Pueblo County to name elections office for early woman legislator Carrie Clyde Holly

Commissioners direct follow-up on select budget lines, approve $950 invoice payment and vote to enter executive session