1
July 17, 2014 VOLU M E 1 1 9 | I S S UE 24
ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Elizabeth to allow hunting in town Archers will help cull deer population, officials say By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media The Elizabeth Board of Trustees has moved forward with the town’s Public Harvest Program, allowing private citizens to hunt deer within the town limits. In a regular meeting July 8, the trustees reviewed several options to address a growing number of complaints regarding the deer population in the town. Options developed in partnership with Casey Westbrook, district wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office include transplantation, fertility control, and culling deer within town limits. In a unanimous vote, the board opted for the Public Harvest Program for bow hunters. According to Dick Eason, town administrator, the program is designed to manage deer populations within the town and is not a plan to exterminate them. A public harvest does not mean residents will see skirmish lines of hunters clad in orange trolling through residential neighborhoods armed with high-powered hunting rifles. The hunt will be confined to three open spaces inside the town limits and only open to a select number of licensed bow hunters who pass a rigorous proficiency test developed by the town. Officials will assign each qualifying Hunting continues on Page 8
A deer crosses a street recently in Elizabeth. Photo by Rick Gustafson
Pot-vote proposal meets opposition Kiowa officials make no commitment on idea POSTAL ADDRESS
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media More than 100 residents crowded the front lawn of the Kiowa Town Hall the evening of July 8, settling under the trees with lawn chairs for a community meeting to discuss the possibility of a November ballot question allowing for the retail sale of marijuana in the town. The Kiowa Board of Trustees held the meeting outside in anticipation of the large crowd that easily exceeded the 49-person capacity of the town hall. Kiowa Mayor Jason Kerbs opened the forum with a brief statement expressing his opposition to any retail pot sales in Kiowa, and Pastor John Smith of Majestic View Church echoed the sentiment, warning of spiritual and moral dangers associated with pot. Both received an enthusiastic applause from the majority of residents assembled, but not everyone agreed with keeping the measure off November’s ballot. Richard Croisant, who has been vocal in support of the idea at earlier meetings of the Kiowa Board of Trustees, stood up in favor of a vote. “Any of you who believe that this is not in our community at this time, you’re mistaken. It’s here. I pay $150 (for my) water bill every month. This is something that can help the town of Kiowa pay for that big white goddess up there on the hill that you can see for a hundred miles,” Croisant said, referring to the 210-foot water tower on the east side of town. Kiowa’s water and sewer system recently emerged from receivership on a $5.5 million loan for projects that were built in anticipation of development that has failed to materialize over the past nine years. For Kiowa resident Rebecca Fernau, also a member of Majestic View Church, money is not a good enough reason to bring retail pot and the things that come with it to town. “I’m that person that Pastor John talked about, having to repair the family because of the abuse of marijuana along with other drugs,” she said. “And there’s not a water tower in this universe or a dollar sign that is worth the heart and mind of my baby girl.” Colorado’s Amendment 64 allows each county
More than 100 residents showed up on the front lawn of the Kiowa Town Hall on July 8 for a discussion over a possible ballot question dealing with recreational marijuana sales in the town. Photos by Rick Gustafson and each municipality the right to decide for itself whether to allow the retail sale of recreational marijuana within its boundaries. Since Colorado voters approved the amendment in 2012, the Kiowa Board of Trustees has passed at least nine ordinances dealing with the state’s marijuana laws. The regulations cover a range of issues, from growing marijuana in private residences to banning the use of commercial space to test, process or sell medical or recreational marijuana. “The only reason that this community forum was suggested was simply to get input. There has been no decision even to put it on the ballot.” Town Attorney Corey Hoffman explained to the assembled residents. “As of now, the board has determined to prohibit it within the corporate boundaries.” Other communities have taken similar positions regarding the sale of marijuana. The Elbert County commissioners passed a resolution in opposition to Amendment 64, and in Elizabeth, residents voted down a measure to permit medical marijuana dispensaries within the town in 2012. John Doorman, a candidate for the District 2 county commissioner seat being vacated by Kurt
Kiowa Mayor Jason Kerbs spoke against retail pot sales at a town hall meeting on July 8. Schlegel at the end of this year, said, “It (marijuana) doesn’t belong here, but I’m happy that the folks up there are putting it to the people.” According to election data released by the Colorado Secretary of State, Elbert County voters turned out 54 percent against the passage of Amendment 64.