Littleton 10-10-2013
October 10, 2013 75 cents
Arapahoe County, Colorado • Volume 125, Issue 12
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlittletonnews.com
Council puts off marijuana decision Retail sales in limbo until October 2014 By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@ourcoloradonews.com
Zombies come in all shapes and sizes, as seen in this horde on Main Street Oct. 5 during downtown Littleton’s annual Zombie Crawl. Photos by Jennifer Smith
Ghouls just want
to have FUN
No, it’s not brains on buns. Zombies are happy to chow down on roast pig after a long trek down Main Street, which wrapped up at Reinke Bros.’ Halloween and Costume Store.
Annual Zombie Crawl brings all kinds to downtown Littleton Staff report
D
owntown Littleton kicked off the Halloween season — which, yes, is a season in Littleton — with the fifth annual Downtown Littleton Zombie Crawl on Oct. 5. Either the event is catching on or the zombie apocalypse has claimed many more victims, as it draws a bigger crowd each year. Instinctively, hundreds of zombies of all ages gather at Woodlawn Shopping Center at 11 a.m., then stagger down Main Street in a quest to quench their undying need for brains. But instead of feasting on hapless Littleton citizens, Reinke Brothers Halloween and Costume Store lures them in with roasted pig — apparently close enough for zombie sensibilities. The next thing you’ll notice are the pumpkin poles on Main Street, which you’ll just have to see to understand. They herald the return of the Pumpkin Follies and Goat Show, Oct. 11 in Reinke’s parking lot. Visit for a talent show, spoof of Littleton events and one-of-akind acts. Admission is $5; drinks and food will be available for purchase. POSTAL ADDRESS
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Zombie Rudi Monterroso tries to resist dining on his adorable daughter, 3-monthold Anjeli.
Littleton City Council punted on pot Oct. 1, voting 6-1 to extend the moratorium on retail sales by another year. “It kicks the can down the road for another year, and I’m willing to do that to avoid the risk of anything less,” said Mayor Debbie Brinkman. Councilor Jim Taylor was the only holdout. “I believe the voters expect us to approve retail sales of marijuana in the city,” he said. “Littleton has a chance to be a leader.” A half-dozen people appeared at the podium to urge council to allow the sales, and one woman implored them to enact a ban. “Say nope to the sales of dope,” was Susan Nies’ rallying cry. She worried the approximately $120,000 in taxes that retail marijuana would raise for the city wouldn’t be enough to cover what she anticipates would be the resultant increase in crime, accidents and “other collateral damage.” Taylor, on the other hand, thought the money could go a long way toward supporting social amenities like the Omnibus and Littleton Museum. “It doesn’t seem right to ban us before we have a chance to show we can do a good job, to show we can do a professional job,” said James Van Diest, owner of The Hemp Center on Main Street, noting Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens’ comment during council’s last meeting that there had been no problems associated with any of the city’s four medical marijuana dispensaries. “Kids might get it from their brother, kids might get it from the black market, but they won’t be getting it from legal stores,” he said. Brinkman wasn’t buying that argument. “The schools have said, `Please don’t continue to make this more accessible than it already is. Please don’t continue to desensitize these kids,’” she said. “We are the enemy of many because of the strength of our school system, and I’m going to listen to them.” Shawn Hauser, director of the marijuana-advocacy organization Sensible Colorado, stressed the 160 pages of regulations retail sellers are subject to, saying it leads to a safer product. “I think if Littleton decides to opt out, it’s opting into the black market,” she said. Pot continues on Page 7
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