Pueblo County hearing officer continues two marijuana cultivation enforcement dockets to March 26

PUEBLO — Pueblo County’s hearing officer docket scheduled for Feb. 26 was continued to March 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Commissioners’ Chambers after the hearing officer did not appear, Kyle Aber, deputy director for liquor and marijuana licensing, said.

The docket listed two enforcement actions: Oilwell Industries LLC (doing business as The Oilwell), a retail marijuana cultivation facility at 157 East Industrial Boulevard, Pueblo West; and Family Farm Growers LLC, a retail marijuana cultivation facility at 43801 East Highway 96, Pueblo. Aber told attendees the Oilwell matter had already been continued to March 26 before the docket, and County staff formally continued the Family Farm Growers enforcement item on the record to the same date and time.

County staff said they had been unable to reach the hearing officer and that he may have a medical issue. Staff discussed scheduling options on the record — including holding a special meeting if all parties and the hearing officer could be available — but ultimately continued the matters to the March 26 docket so the hearing officer could preside. "We can't wait forever," a County staff member said, describing a lack of authority in the code to indefinitely suspend hearings.

Business representatives and several tenants were present at the Feb. 26 docket. A business representative told the panel, "We have the state transfer of ownership approved," but County staff said they could not take that or other evidentiary matters on the record in the hearing officer's absence. County staff also said enforcement actions remain because relevant compliance steps — including a modification-of-premises application and a completed transfer-of-ownership filing tied to property-code issues — had not been completed. The staff member said that if the parties show significant progress before March 26, "we could even conceivably withdraw the enforcement case."

Attendees discussed the possibility of holding an earlier special meeting to accommodate seasonal cultivation timelines for a buyer; business representatives said they were on a time crunch because an outdoor cultivator did not want to miss the growing season. County staff advised that scheduling must align with the hearing officer's availability and room availability in Commissioners' Chambers.

On the record, County staff set the new hearing date: March 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., in Commissioners' Chambers. Staff said they would attempt to contact the hearing officer and, if possible, arrange an earlier special meeting with all parties. No evidentiary testimony or final rulings were taken at the Feb. 26 docket because the hearing officer was not present.

The continuation applies to both enforcement dockets on the February agenda. Parties who are unable to attend in person noted they could appear virtually; County staff said they would coordinate availability and notify parties if a special meeting is scheduled before March 26.