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January 8, 2014
75 cents | Volume 48, Issue 52 Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County A publication of
tri-lakestribune.net
Marijuana sales begin in Colorado There are no dispensaries in El Paso or Teller counties By Danny Summers
Dsummers@ourcoloradonews.com Those who are 21 and older and have a valid photo ID, can legally buy marijuana in the state of Colorado, a law that went into effect on Jan. 1. But those who reside in El Paso or Teller counties, will have to drive to Pueblo or Denver to obtain the drug from a licensed dispensary. So far, nine municipalities and seven counties in the state are allowing retail sales. However, all of the municipalities in
El Paso County and Teller County have either opted out or put a moratorium on the issue. Amendment 64 was passed by Colorado voters in November 2012. It allows for state residents to purchase up to one ounce of marijuana. Out of state guests can purchase only a quarter of an ounce. Selling marijuana in any form without a license remains illegal. Denver was issued 34 retail marijuana business licenses on Dec. 23. Statewide that number stands at 136, with most being in the Denver area. State officials also mailed licenses for 31 producers of marijuana-infused products and 178 marijuana cultivation facilities.
Most of those businesses with state permits won’t be open immediately because of local licensing requirements. The law requires that the marijuana legally sold must be tracked from seed to sale. In December, officials from the state Department of Revenue said the system won’t be able to start tracking marijuana weights until after the buds are harvested off the plant. One of the ways of tracking the pot is with the radio frequency identification system. Fox Run resident Craig Fleischmann is an account manager for Extend Data Solutions, which is based in Centennial. “We’re getting a lot of inquiries at my company,” Fleischmann said. “Hopefully
it will turn into sales opportunities for us.” Fleischmann added that the cost of the device is about $3,000. The Colorado Springs City Council opted out in July. Manitou Springs put a moratorium on sales, but that expires Jan. 31, paving the way for legal sales. In September, the town of Palmer Lake put a moratorium on the issue, repealing an ordinance that was passed by the town council in August. The issue, as it relates to Amendment 64, will now be left up to the voters next April. “We want what’s best for the political Sales continues on Page 7
Bass Pro to partner with museum, academy Other restaurants, businesses make way to Copper Ridge area By Danny Summers
Dsummers@ourcoloradonews.com Chuck and Cheri Cubbison were milling around Bass Pro Shops in North Gate on Jan. 31 with looks of awe and amazement. The former Black Forest residents were down from Wasilla, Alaska, visiting relatives and friends. They sauntered into the 120,000- square foot outdoor megastore so they could get a glimpse of what will head their way in 2014. “To come back here and see the growth of this area is amazing,” Chuck said. “It’s just so big compared to what it was when we left here in 2003.” The Cubbisons are excited to be getting a Bass Pro and Cabela’s in Anchorage, which is about a 45-minute drive from Wasilla. “It’s a big fishing area up there so these stores will do well,” Cheri said. When the Cubbisons moved to Alaska, there was a distinct break between Colorado Springs and Monument. They see the growth of the area, especially the Copper Ridge development, as a good thing for residents of El Paso County. “There’s good and bad to growth,” Cheri said. “The conveniences of shopping and restaurants are nice. When we lived in Black Forest there weren’t many restaurants in the area and we had to travel quite a ways to stores.” On a side note, the Cubbisons were relieved that their former Black Forest home was safe from last summer’s massive fire that destroyed nearly 500 homes. The North Gate Bass Pro Shops, which has 450 full- and part-time employees, is a jaw-dropping experience. It will be the anchor store for numerous businesses that will be headed to the area in 2014 and the coming years. Later this month, Bourbon Brothers Southern Kitchen will be the second business (behind Bass Pro) to open in the Copper Ridge development. A Jimmy Johns is soon to follow, as well as a shooting sports center. Several other pads are also being developed. POSTAL ADDRESS
The Western Museum of Mining and Industry and Bass Pro Shops are expected to partner on many projects. Photos by Danny Summers “We’re in an area where there’s a lot going on,” said Chris Koeninger, Bass Pro general manager, who arrived last spring from Tulsa, Okla., to open the North Gate store. “You can come up here for a lot of reasons and stay up here for multiple days just visiting the Air Force Academy and Mining Museum. There’s a lot to see in Monument and Black Forest.” Bass Pro opened Nov. 20 to lines of folks that had waited outside for hours. The store has remained packed every since. Koeninger said the average person spends about two hours in the store. “It’s been exceptional on all ends,” said Koeninger, a resident of nearby Gleneagle. “This has turned out to be a fantastic location.” Koeninger said his Bass Pro plans to Bass Pro continues on Page 7
TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE
Bourbon Brothers is expected to open its doors at the end of January. It is located next to Bass Pro Shops in North Gate.
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