March 5, 2015 VOLU M E 31 | I SS UE 36 | 5 0 ¢
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Indoor bull riding set for fairgrounds Free rodeo events come to Jeffco facility
UPCOMING 2015 JEFFCO JACKPOT SERIES DATES
By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Every bull rider approaches his ride differently. Some say a quick prayer before hopping over the metal railing to mount the seemingly tame beast — others don’t give it a second thought. “Nothing feels better than spurring one down,” said bull rider Joey Quintana of Arvada. The Jeffco Fairgrounds is hosting the Bull Riders Underground Showdown organized by Newlon Rodeo Productions, with dates set through the end of April. Held at the Livestock Arena, admission is free until the series returns in September, where tickets will sell for $5 a person. “It’s really kind of turned into this, I think, a really cool concept that provides an incredibly unique environment for fans, but it’s really been fun to interject some life into our old Livestock Arena at the same time,” said Scott Gales, director of the Jeffco Fairgrounds.
Shows start at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 Friday, April 3 Friday, April 17 Friday, May 1 Concessions and beer will be available to purchase. The fairgrounds hosts 1,200 different events a year, but the indoor bull riding series offers an appeal for even the most urban lifestyle. “You’re on the edge of your seat the whole time,” said Samantha Ayres of Arvada. “You have to stay on for eight seconds and you don’t know who is going to make it and who’s not.” A combination of professional and amateur bull riders participate in the rodeo sport from across the state as well as a few riders from Arkansas and South Dakota. Bull riding classes will soon be offered along with opportunities for the addition of youth riders on miniature bulls. “I want people to view bull riding as en-
Kenneth Heltibridle of Manassa, Colorado, readies his rope on a bull. Heltibridle is currently sitting in 7th place in the Bullriders’ Showdown Series held at the Jeffco Fairgrounds hosted by Newlon Rodeo Productions. Photo by Amy Woodward tertainment,” said Mike Newlon, local promoter and former bull rider. Quintana, who was born and raised in Golden, said winning is an important factor for the riders, who are looking to collect to get them ready for the next ride. “I have a lot of respect for the people who put it on, and they used to put on re-
ally big bull ridings,” Quintana said. “When you can come somewhere like this and just have fun, then there’s nothing better.” The Friday night Jackpot series continues Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/newlonrodeo.
Pot proposal gets committee’s OK State bill covers gaps in current regulation By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices.
Medical marijuana growers and patients are inching closer to potential regulations. The Colorado Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee has unanimously passed a comprehensive bill concerning a variety of medical marijuana issues that are not regulated by the state’s revenue department. Under the bill by Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver, the Colorado medical board must adopt rules regarding guidelines for physicians who make medical marijuana recommendations for patients suffering from severe pain, the bill reads. In addition, the bill would require the state health agency to adopt rules and guidelines for primary caregivers to give informed consent to patients that products may contain contaminants and that the THC levels are not verified. The bill highlights that all primary caregivers must register with the state health agency and the state medical marijuana licensing authority as well as allowing both agency and authority to share information to ensure a patient has only one caregiver.
First 275 applicants will be accepted
DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m.
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
In 2008, there were 4,819 patients who possessed medical marijuana cards. In December 2014, that number stood at 115,467. Of the patients who have cards, 65 percent are male. The average age for medical marijuana use is 42. Severe pain accounted for 93 percent of the reported debilitating medical conditions. Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Finally, the bill permits money in the marijuana tax fund to be used for the application of any bills approved by the marijuana revenues interim committee. “The federal expectation is that states that have allowed marijuana to be legal, and local governments, will implement strong and an effective regulatory and enforcement systems that will protect public safety, public health and other law enforcement interests,” Aguilar said. “It (the bill) was designed to focus on preventing inappropriate access to medical marijuana by focusing on appropriate physician recommendations for medical marijuana use and severe pain.” The bill diverts medical marijuana from poorly
regulated caregivers and also provides a mechanism for law enforcement to differentiate legitimate from illegal cultivation and transportation in the state, Aguilar said. Opponents of the bill said the legislation allows for intrusion and poses constitutional issues where information gathered may be given to the federal government. “This bill, in my opinion, is based on a false premise, which is that essentially, patients and caregivers are criminals and tax evaders,” said Terri Robnett, founder of Cannabis Patients Alliance. “What this comes down to for us is whether or not we can trust that these are protections or these are opportunities for law enforcement intrusion.” However, Sens. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, and Beth Martinez Humenik, R-Thornton, argued the bill helps to protect constitutional rights afforded through the passing of Amendment 20 from those who are looking to unlawfully benefit from some of the gaps that are present with the medical marijuana industry in Colorado. “There’s a lot of gray area with this,” said Martinez Humenik. “I think when this was originally passed, it opened up Pandora’s box and this is a multi-faceted topic but I don’t think that the bill … the way it is written right now … is meant to take away the rights of people to get the medicinal marijuana … it’s just to make sure, to legitimize, those folks that are actually doing it the right way.” The bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
City offers large item pickup
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GE T SOCIAL WITH US
MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS IN COLORADO
By Clarke Reader
The City of Wheat Ridge wants to help residents safely dispose of the large items from spring cleaning. The pickup is for residents only (no businesses or apartment complexes) and will be held on two Saturdays — May 23 and 30. Pre-registration will begin 7 a.m. Monday, March 30, and end 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, or when the 275 available spots are filled. Up to 138 residences will have a pickup scheduled on the 23 and up to 137 on the 30. “We used to do this two times are year, but budget concerns changed things,” said Karen
Van Ert, executive assistant to the city manager. “Sometimes residents get rid of stuff in a way they shouldn’t and we get calls about code enforcement.” Participants must have verification of residency and pre-approval of type of item to be picked up. Only one item will be picked up. Examples of items for pickup include one piece of furniture, mattresses, stoves, ovens and disassembled swing sets. Items that will not be accepted include any items with freon (refrigerator or freezer), microwaves, tree branches, chemicals or car parts. “We would like to see more people get involved this year,” said Karen Scott, operations support technicians. For more information call 303-205-7600 or visit www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/511/LargeItem-Pick-up. Registration hours are Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
PICKUP INFORMATION Pickup hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no schedule of when pickups will be made on any particular street; therefore, large items must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the pickup date registered for. Do not place the large pickup item with refuse to be collected by regular collection service. Pickups will be made from private streets only if they are wider than 20 feet and loop to a public street, connect to a public street at both ends, or end with a standard size cul-de-sac. Trash containers will not be emptied; trash bags and additional large items will not be picked up. A large item will not be picked up if two workers cannot safely lift it into the collection truck. A wood stove, for example, will not be picked up due to its weight.