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May 26, 2016 VOLUM E 127 | IS S U E 44 | 75¢
GetAways 2016
Special Section Inside A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
City shoots down retail marijuana Pot dispensaries discouraged, not sure what next step will be By Kyle Harding kharding@colorado communitymedia.com The Littleton City Council’s decision last week to ban recreational marijuana sales left the owners of the city’s two medical dispensaries discouraged and unsure of their next step.
“We are beyond frustrated with city council’s vote ...,” said Eric Speidell, who owns The Green Solution along with his brothers, and believed councilmembers allowed personal bias to influence their vote. “I am disappointed with the outcome ...,” said Stan Zislis, co-owner of Silver Stem Fine Cannabis. But a majority of the council, responding to a public backlash, worried about social issues brought on by retail marijuana
shops. “I don’t want to be sitting here in a couple of years making a decision about whether we’re going to have smoking clubs,” said Councilmember Debbie Brinkman, who has been the most vocal councilmember opposing recreational sales. Following a public hearing with comment from dozens of residents, the council voted 5-1 on May 17 to continue the ban it enacted in 2014 that prohibits Marijuana continues on Page 9
Dr. Christopher Mote, a family physician and Littleton resident, was one of many speakers who asked the city council to vote against an ordinance allowing recreational marijuana sales. Photo by Kyle Harding
HATS OFF TO THEM
Council takes look at Grove After opponents of senior apartment complex protest, councilmembers will discuss By Kyle Harding kharding@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Littleton High School graduates toss their caps at the conclusion of their commencement at Littleton Public Schools Stadium on May 20. Photos by Kyle Harding
INSIDE
Opponents of a senior apartment complex under construction have prompted city council to take another look at the process by which the project was approved. Toward the end of a nearly six-hour meeting, a group of people who have formed a coalition opposed to The Grove, a mixed-use project with 160 apartments for people 55-and-up at the corner of Littleton Boulevard and Bemis Street, got their chance to address the council. Leah Burkett and her group, Advocates for Littleton, have filed suit against the city and Zocalo Community Development, but work began Grove continues on Page 9
High schools in the Littleton Public Schools district held graduation ceremonies last week. Inside, we
LACROSSE FINAL
take a look at some of the highlights that made the class of 2016 one of a kind. Page 4: Arapahoe
Arapaho Tribal Elder Mark Soldier Wolf addresses Arapahoe High School graduates at Littleton Public Schools Stadium on May 19.
The Heritage High School mascot flaps its wings at the end of the national anthem at the school’s graduation at Littleton Public Schools Stadium on May 18.
Page 7: Heritage Page 10: Littleton
Arapahoe battles Regis Jesuit in the state championship game. Page 22
LITTLETON INDEPENDENT (ISSN 1058-7837) (USPS 315-780) OFFICE: 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Littleton, Colorado, the Littleton Independent is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 2550 S. Main St., Littleton, CO 80120. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LITTLETON, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Tue. 11 a.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.