Transcript Wheat Ridge
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 30, Issue 4
July 18, 2013
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwheatridgenews.com
Roommate arrested in Meyer death By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com Authorities have arrested the former roommate of a Wheat Ridge woman whose remains were recently found in Park County, five months after her disappearance. Melissa Miller, 54, was arrested at Wheat Ridge police headquarters on the afternoon of July 15 and was later transported to Park County, where she is being held for the alleged murder of Leann “Annie” Meyer, 51. Miller, of Lakewood, made her first court appearance the day after her arrest, where a
Park County judge set the suspect’s bond at $50,000, cash-only. At this point, those who are close to the case are staying mum as to what led to Meyer’s death or what Miller’s alleged motive was. A judge granted prosecutors’ request to seal court documents that typically provide details about the investigation. Miller “At this point, it’s an ongoing and active investigation,” said District Attorney Thom LeDoux of the 11th Ju-
dicial District, which includes Park County. “We don’t seal documents as a matter of routine, but we want to be able to review law enforcement reports.” Like LeDoux, Wheat Ridge police spokesman John Romero would not go into details about his knowledge of the case, only saying that, “A lot of things happened since we found her remains.” Romero said that LeDoux’s office, and not Wheat Ridge police, will be handling inquiries about the case, going forward. The fact that the case will be prosecuted in Park County indicates that the crime was committed there.
For now, Miller is being held on a second-degree murder charge, which carries with it a penalty range of between 16 and 48 years in prison. However, charges could change after prosecutors have had a chance to do their own investigation, LeDoux said. Miller used to live with Meyer and had been on authorities’ radar as a “person of interest” in the case, prior to her arrest. Wheat Ridge police Cmdr. Dave Pickett told reporters last week that investigators’ ability to question Miller about her role in Meyer continues on Page 20
Bill aims to allow pot businesses to bank By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
Susannah Burley checks on plants outside of Posey Girl Floral Boutique in Wheat Ridge on July 12. Photos by Vic Vela
New festival keys on wheat By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
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downtown event full of music, food and fun this weekend aims to highlight the “Wheat” in Wheat Ridge. The inaugural Wheat Fest is slated for July 20, a daylong downtown affair that will feature local vendors, activities, and a whole lot more. But organizers say the real focus is going to be on the city’s “agricultural heritage” by way of a marketplace that will feature local goods, much of which will be all things wheat. “We really want to promote what makes Wheat Ridge, Wheat Ridge,” said Mara Owen of Wheat Ridge 2020, an event sponsor. Organizers care so much about keeping the focus on wheat that awards will be handed out for best wheat beer, wheat-themed dish and other novelties. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Green at 38, at West 38th avenue between High Court and Upham Street. The event will feature many of the businesses along the Ridge at 38 — the city’s central commercial district, located on 38th avenue between Sheridan and Wadsworth Boulevards. Right Coast Pizza will have a mobile food unit available with beer on tap. They’ll also provide pizza-making chef demonstrations. “We think it’s going to be a blast,” said Right Coast Pizza owner Justin Vogel. “I think we’re going to see a lot of people come out and give the area a true pedestrian feel.” POSTAL ADDRESS
Weslie Steenburgh prepares pizza slices inside Right Coast Pizza in Wheat Ridge on July 12. Even Ridge at 38 businesses that won’t be vending will be taking part in the event. Susannah Burley, owner of Posey Girl Floral Boutique, said her shop will be featuring an “open house design day,” where folks can come by and learn how to put together floral arrangements. “It’s a nice way to let people know how the businesses on 38th avenue are starting to thrive now,” Burley said. There will be plenty for kids to do, as well, through a “kids’ activity zone” that will feature face-painting and an area where children can create “wheat-inspired art projects,” according to Owen. Wheat Fest is partnering with the Colorado Folks Art Council’s International Festival, which will provide music, dance, and storytelling entertainment. Owen hopes that with events like Wheat Fest, residents won’t have to head to other parts of the Denver metro area to find a good time. “It’s a great opportunity for Wheat Ridge,” she said. “We want to focus on downtown.”
A lot of green will come and go from storefronts when retail marijuana businesses open in Colorado next year. Nevermind the drug, it’s the color of money. Stores that are legally able to sell pot typically operate on a cash-only basis because federal laws prohibit banks from doing business with them. But Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter is seeking a change with a bill that would allow legitimate pot shops the ability to access banking services. “We gotta do it,” Perlmutter, the Golden Democrat, told Colorado Community Media in a recent Perlmutter interview. “We have got to get away from having them only deal with cash, which creates a lot of problems.” Perlmutter, along with Rep. Denny Heck, D-Washington, have introduced the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act in Congress. The bill would shield banks and credit unions from prosecution for doing business with places that sell pot. “Right now we have a situation where a banker tells someone, ‘Wait a second, I’d love to do business with you, but I have law enforcement agencies watching me,’” Perlmutter said. “We have to move away from that.” Perlmutter said that operating on a cashonly basis invites crime, such as robbery and tax evasion. But, right now, federal law does not allow exceptions to banking rules for states like Colorado, where either retail or medical marijuana businesses are legal. Retail pot shops will begin to open next year, under last year’s voter-approved Amendment 64. The Colorado Legislature recently put in place regulations on the new industry, but marijuana use and sales are still illegal under federal law. Perlmutter’s bill is receiving support from Colorado’s congressional delegation, Pot continues on Page 20
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