Pot shop decision in Pueblo leaves people at odds

People had a chance to voice their opinions about recreational marijuana shops in Pueblo Thursday night.

Pueblo Voice Your Choice, a group that wants the people to decide on whether to have retail pot shops in Pueblo, hosted a public forum at the Rawlings Library.

The panel members shared their views on the impact recreational marijuana shops could have in Pueblo and the provisions on Amendment 64.

POSADA Director Anne Stattelman said she has seen an increase in services at her nonprofit organization since last year. She said some of people asking for services came to Pueblo County for recreational marijuana.

Pueblo Councilman Chris Nicoll said pot shops could change what people think of Pueblo.

“I want Pueblo to be recognized for all the hard working citizens that live here and not have Pueblo be seen as the marijuana capital of southern Colorado,” he said.

Pueblo resident David Lemon said the Steel City is missing out on a golden opportunity.

“The only things the stores provide are the benefits from the industry, we get the jobs and we get the taxes,” he said.

Pueblo City Council is set to vote on Monday night on whether the sale of recreational marijuana should be on the November ballot.

Nicoll said if people do vote on the provision this year and they do vote no on the shops, a future council could reverse the decision. Nicoll also said if the vote is put off until next year and people still vote no on retail marijuana shops, only the people could reverse the decision instead of council.