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January 3, 2019
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
TRAGEDIES AND TRIUMPHS A look back at the stories that shaped 2018 Pages 3-5
Town to consider regulations for kratom
Castle Rock will not OK new permits for kratom establishments for 180 days BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Castle Rock has temporarily suspended the approval of any new businesses dealing in kratom — an herb made from a tree native to southeast Asia — as research into the substance continues at the federal level and regulations remain lax. An ordinance approved by the town council on Dec. 18 says the town will no longer accept, process or approve applications for business licenses or sales tax licenses, among other permits, required to sell kratom. The ordinance does not ban the sale, possession or use of kratom in town, only the approval of new permits. The town attorney’s office put together the ordinance after the town received an informal inquiry about opening a kratom bar, similar in operation to a coffee shop. There are other businesses in town that already sell kratom. The ordinance was adopted in an emergency reading, meaning council did not hold the two readings of an ordinance typically required before passage. The emergency ordinance needed approval from six out of the seven councilmembers. SEE KRATOM, P9
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Colorado’s population grew by 79,662 residents from 2017 to 2018, eighth most in the nation. Source: U.S Census Bureau
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