Pueblo County could lose millions in tax dollars

Millions of dollars go into the county’s budget every year because of retail marijuana sales.

But if a ballot initiative to ban retail sales passes in November, those funds would dry up. It’s why Pueblo County is preparing for two scenarios.

“The best thing we can do for the citizens is put together as good a budget as we could on either side, and then whatever the citizens decide then that’ll help drive us on which budget we adopt,” said Pueblo County Commissioner Terry Hart.

Hart says the marijuana money is key to getting the county out of the red.

“Literally, it’s helping us balance the budget, and, frankly keep the lights on,” Hart said.

The marijuana tax money has been used for many projects including scholarship money for students to be able to attend universities like CSU Pueblo, which many students would not have had the opportunity to do.

Jeff Howes is the principal of North Mesa Elementary, a school that’s received thousands of dollars from marijuana money to build sidewalks.

“The school’s been here for over 50 years and we haven’t had a safe route to school, so the chances of it happening were slim to none,” Howes said.

While the perks to Pueblo county are visible, the group behind the ballot measure says the county is paying in other ways, with increased crime and illegal grows.

But Hart says voters will ultimately make the decision.

“Then that’s our marching orders and that’s what we’ll do,” Hart said.