Huerfano County commissioners lift marijuana grow

Huerfano County commissioners lift marijuana grow moratorium
By Jessi MitchellCONNECT



HUERFANO COUNTY -
Huerfano County commissioners have re-opened the doors to commercial marijuana growers.

The 60-day moratorium on new commercial cultivation operations in the county expired Tuesday. The commissioners decided not to extend the moratorium, and enacted two new regulations that they hope will make the application process smoother.

The commissioners put a hold on applications until the Planning and Zoning team could come up with a solution. Now those who seek to grow marijuana in the county must have established water rights and a state license before applying. Commissioner Max Vezzani says, "This makes them perform and become legitimate potential operators anyway in the county."

Six commercial growers have set up shop in Huerfano County since last July, but four of them still do not have legal water access. "You can't just go out into the county someplace and buy 35 acres and say we're in business," says Vezzani.

Vezzani was the only one of his colleagues who wanted to extend the moratorium to explore even more regulations. Growers say that move would have been crippling. "It would kill the industry," says Travis Nelson, president of the Colorado Cannabis Growers Association. "An 18-month moratorium, those businesses would go elsewhere, and we need them here in Huerfano to support our economy.

Nelson grew up in Huerfano County, so he says he knows the importance of having an economy booster. His group recently set up a new headquarters across the street from the county courthouse, and he says the economic benefits are about to start pouring in. "Marijuana would probably multiply their taxes by ten," he says, "so they'll have ten times the tax revenue to provide services, education, roads. It's a blessing for Huerfano County."

Vezzani agrees, saying, "It is leading to some other jobs, some homes are selling, and so from that stand point, from a purely economic stand point, it's having a positive impact."

The growers who do not have legal water rights are now under pressure to find a solution. Meantime, commissioners say they do not have plans to allow marijuana shops in the county anytime soon.