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Federal penalties on pot eased Staff Report The U.S. House on July 16 passed a measure to ease penalties on banks that provide financial services for marijuana businesses. A bipartisan amendment to the annual Financial Services appropriations bill prevents the Treasury Department from using funds to penalize financial institutions that provide services to marijuana businesses that operate in states like Colorado, where pot sales are legal. Even though many states now allow re-
tail or medical marijuana sales, the drug is still illegal under federal law. That results in legal pot businesses having to resort to cash-only transactions because many banks won’t do business with them, out of fear of federal prosecution. “Passage of this amendment is a positive step forward for financial institutions and for legitimate marijuana businesses,” said U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, through an e-mailed statement. Perlmutter was one of the sponsors of the amendment. “Legal marijuana businesses are subject to greater risks and penalties because they
do not have access to the banking system. We need to bridge the gap between state and federal law in order to reflect the reality of the situation in a growing number of states.” Perlmutter is also the sponsor of a separate piece of legislation that would give explicit legal clearance for banks to do business with pot stores. However, that legislation doesn’t look to be going anywhere this year. Congress’s inaction to deal with marijuana banking issues prompted state lawmakers to pass a bipartisan bill at the Leg-
Cody’s Wild West performs in Lions Park Recreation of historical Buffalo Bill’s traveling show debuts July 26 By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com When William F. Cody aka Buffalo Bill made his stage debut in Chicago in late 1872 in The Scouts of the Prairie, a dime novel turned Wild West show by author and producer
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Ned Buntline, Cody traveled around as an actor for 10 years before deciding to put on his own Wild West show. But his incentive to do so stemmed from the vanishing age that was the Wild West — a definitive moment in U.S. history that Cody was determined to keep alive and share with others; his love for an era that loved him back, ultimately making him one of the most celebrated legends of the old American west. “He really did have a drive to show what he thought the West was,” said Steve Friesen, director of the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave in Golden. In 1882, Cody said, “…I conceived the idea of organizing a large company of Indians, cow-boys, Mexican vaqueros, famous riders and expert lasso throwers, with accessories of stage coach, emigrant wagons, bucking horses and a herd of buffaloes, with which to give a realistic entertainment of wild life on the plains.” As part of the many activities for this year’s Buffalo Bill Days, Cody’s Wild West by Monarch Productions will be part of the festivities for a third year in a row, recreating parts of the original traveling show known as Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. “It was a perfect tie to try and keep at least a flavor of what Buffalo Bill was all about still alive in Golden during Buffalo Bill Days,” said David T. Wright, owner of Monarch Productions. “We try to stay
Actors portraying a young William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Jason Baker and sharpshooter Annie Oakley, Cathy Elliot, take part in the trick shooting act that is part of the Cody’s Wild West Show by Monarch Productions during Buffalo Bill Days. Photo by Dave Powers as true as we can, obviously in 2014 versus the late 1800s early 1900s he had a massive cast of characters in his show where we don’t have that luxury nor the space to do so.” Each year, the show features new acts but still holds original ones such as trick roping, Mexican and Indian dancers, sharpshooting, and actors posing as historical figures that took part in the original show including Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill and Johnny Baker aka the Cowboy Kid. “We mix it up every year so it’s not the same show every year,” Wright said. “We’ll come back again next year to see something new and different.”
This year’s grand opening will still feature a Civil War era cannon and a live American Eagle. A new act, Cody Saves the Day, will be performed and a surprise ending is planned for the show which runs for about 90 minutes. “I can’t imagine a Buffalo Bill Days in Golden without a Wild West show,” Wright said. “That’s what Buffalo Bill was all about; it’s what he is known for and remembered for foremost.” Cody’s Wild West begins after the Best of the West parade at 12:30 p.m. at West Lions Park Ball Field off 10th Street in Golden on Saturday, July 26. The event is free and open to the public.
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Birth control bill blocked Bill critical of Hobby Lobby case dies in legislature
PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO.
islature this year that allows pot businesses to enter into banking co-operatives. In spite of state lawmakers’ efforts, “(marijuana) banking needs a federal solution,” said Michael Elliott, executive director of Colorado’s Marijuana Industry Group. “A lack of basic banking services such as checking and merchant services has caused serious public safety and accountability issues that arise from this being a cash-dominant industry,” Elliott said.
Thousands gathered on Washington Avenue for the 35th annual Mopar Mile-High Block Party on Thursday, July 17. Streets were closed between 11th and 14th streets as both new and classic cars lined the streets along with vendors and a live band to kick off the NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway. Photo by Amy Woodward
Staff Report U.S. Senate Republicans last week blocked Democrat-sponsored legislation that seeks to push back against a recent Supreme Court contraception issue decision. The bill, which requires that companies provide birth control coverage in workers’ health care plans, failed following a successful Republican filibuster that prevented the legislation from moving forward. Democrats were unable to garner 60 votes to end the filibuster, in spite of getting support from three Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, voted no as part of a procedural move that allows him the option to bring the bill up again some day. The bill is a Democratic response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the “Hobby Lobby case.” The ruling gives certain companies with religious convictions the ability to avoid an Affordable Care Act requirement that mandates employers to provide contraception coverage in their health plans. Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, a sponsor of the legislation, is critical of the Court’s decision, saying through a July 16 press statement that it is “unacceptable” that women “may now have to ask their boss’s permission to continue receiving access to contraceptive health coverage.” “The actions of a minority of lawmakers today, however, show some of my colleagues are not serious about addressing the devastating effect the Supreme Court’s decision will have,” Udall said. Udall is running for re-election against Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, in a race where the outcome could rest with women voters. Republicans are critical of the legislation, calling it an obvious attempt by Democrats to mobilize women voters in the fall.