Colorado Springs votes to keep recreational marijuana sales out of the city

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- After a 57% to 43% vote, groups on both sides of Question 300, the initiative to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana, are reacting.

Mayor John Suthers, a longtime opponent of the legalization, told KRDO Wednesday he's celebrating the city's decision to stand apart from the state's position on marijuana.

However, city dispensaries and the campaign for Yes on 300, are disappointed they will not see more opportunities for small businesses or more tax revenue flow into Colorado Springs.

"It sends a message we want to be an island of sanity and sobriety in a state that's really got a pretty screwed up drug policy," said Mayor John Suthers.

Suthers has publicly voiced his disapproval of marijuana, appearing in political ads against the ballot measure in the months leading up to the election.

"We promote marijuana, promote things like mushrooms, and then we're shocked, shocked, shocked that we have lots of people overdosing on opioids and fentanyl," said Suthers.

He believes the prohibition of recreational weed sales will keep the number of unhoused people down and attract more companies and high-paying jobs to the city.

He says the economic growth from those companies and continued military presence will create revenue that compensates for any potential tax revenue generated from the sale of recreational marijuana.

"Yes, they can go out to Manitou and get it," said Suthers, "but if we had it on every street corner in Colorado Springs, I think it would exacerbate our problems."

However, proponents of recreational marijuana sales and Question 300, said the decision will hurt struggling small businesses in the industry. Anthony Carlson, the organizer of the campaign Yes on 300, told KRDO the disapproval of this industry is hypocritical in a county that advocates for economic growth.

"In every other element of American society, we celebrate the trailblazers, people who took a risk on themselves and started businesses," said Carlson. "And in this case, these folks are asking for help and asking for a lifeline."

He says the failure of the ballot measure will keep the city from receiving an estimated 15 million dollars of annual tax revenue, according to projections from the group through an independent economist.

Despite the defeat, Carlson said they will continue to push for the ballot measure in future elections.