Cannabis conference hits Telluride

Brazil may have the World Cup, but this weekend San Miguel County will be host to the Telluride Cup. From Fri., Dec. 13 - Sun., Dec. 15, the first ever Telluride Cup and Conference will converge on Southwest Colorado. But unlike the other, more famous “cup,” this one won’t be about soccer. It’s all about marijuana.

According to Durango’s Stevie Smith, aka Rasta Stevie, who is helping to spread the word about the event, it’s a chance for West Slope growers, dispensary owners, medical marijuana cardholders and other members of the budding industry to compare notes and network. “It’s a chance for everyone to get together and find out who we are, where we are and where we go from here,” said Smith.

And, as the name suggests, there will also be a little friendly competition. “It’s also a chance for people to enter their buds and see if they’re as good as they say they are, and maybe go home with a trophy.”

Unlike the recent Cannabis Cup, held in Denver, Smith stressed this won’t be a “puffing event” and anyone wishing to imbibe must be a MMJ cardholder. In addition, the actual competition part of the weekend, which starts at 4 p.m. Sunday at Two Candles cafe in Norwood, is only open to MMJ patients and registered Colorado providers and dispensaries. Smith said Norwood was chosen because it is home to many of the area’s growers.

Categories in Sunday’s judging include “Strain of the Year;” “Biggest Bud;” “Edible of the Year;” and “Dispensary of the Year.”

The rest of the conference, which kicks off Friday night with a “Chalice Christening” at Fly Me to the Moon Saloon, is open to the noncardholding public. Saturday’s events include speakers and presentations at Maggie’s Bakery from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. followed by a meet-and-greet at 9 p.m. and live reggae from Naan Stop and Magi Nation at the Moon.

Smith said the conference is a chance to focus on the West Slope cannabis culture, which was largely ignored at the Cannabis Cup. “It’s amazing what we’re doing in the cannabis industry,” he said. “It’s also a time to get together and celebrate our newfound freedoms. It’s our legal right, we’re not breaking any laws. We do good work and we want accolades.”

Although he said the Town of Telluride did not exactly welcome the conference with open arms, the plan is to make it an annual event. “It’s not like we’re going to set up a table in Elk Park,”  said Smith. “We just want fair and equal treatment.”

Smith reiterated the conference is not an excuse to get high but a chance to discuss ideas, spread information and dispel myths and stigmas. “We’re trying to be forthright, up front and educate people on this,” said Smith, a strong advocate of the medical benefits of pot. “People are still buying into the myth that it’s an intoxicant.”

A VIP conference pass, which includes all nighttime events, dinner on Sunday and “sampling,” costs $100. Tickets for individual events also can be purchased at the door.

 Those interested in entering the cup competition must submit their entry no later than noon on Friday to the judges in Telluride. All entries must be  presented in person and fees paid in cash.

For more information, call (970)708-4882

Health care website sees modest gains

After a sluggish start, state health care officials say enrollment is picking up in advance of the Dec. 23 deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1. According to officials at Connect for Health Colorado, enrollments at www.connectforhealthco.com have been “breaking records,” with 1,090 signing up on Wed., Dec. 4, alone. Since the website opened Oct. 1, more than 15,000 Coloradans have enrolled for health coverage. More than 620,000 have visited the site, and 100,000 have gone so far as to create accounts.

While the recent surge has taxed the website’s resources, it is still far short of the projection of 40,372 enrollees.

 To meet the increased demand, Connect for Health has added customer service representatives and expanded hours to include the next two Sundays, Dec. 15 and 22. Average wait times to talk to a representative are about 7 minutes, with the longest waits  between 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Currently, the lowest wait times are between 7-9 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

“We are encouraged to see a record pace of sign-ups,” said Connect for Health CEO Patty Fontneau. “We want to let Coloradans know that our Customer Service Center is seeing record demand and that there are ... other ways to get help, if needed.”

The customer service centers in Colorado Springs and Denver are open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays at 1-855-PLANS-4-YOU (855-752-6749).

Other options for help are local Health Coverage Guides;  licensed health insurance agents/brokers; and a free Android app available on the website.

Connect for Health Colorado is currently traveling the state in an RV in an outreach effort. The RV rolled into Durango on Wed., Dec. 11, making stops on the 800 block of Main Avenue and North City Market before pulling up stakes for Montrose and Grand Junction.

S. J. Forest names interim supervisor

The San Juan National Forest has named an interim supervisor, who has ties to the area, while it searches for a replacement to Mark Stiles, who retired Dec. 2.

Ron Archuleta, who was born and raised in Mancos, is currently the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland in Fort Collins. He will report to duty at the San Juan Public Lands Center on Mon., Dec. 16, and will remain for four months during the search for a permanent supervisor.

Over his 32-year career with the Forest Service, Archuleta has worked on seven national forests and two national grasslands. Prior to his current position with the Arapaho-Roosevelt, he served for eight years as the District Ranger in the Yellowstone District of the Gallatin National Forest. He also worked two years as the Forest Service National Assistant Wildlife Program Manager in Washington D.C. 

 Archuleta actually started his Forest Service career on the San Juan National Forest in 1981 as a wildlife biologist working for the former Mancos Ranger District, which is now part of the Dolores Ranger District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University and was born and raised in Mancos, where his parents still reside. 

Archuleta and wife, Elizabeth Crowe, have a son, Perry, 6. They enjoy many outdoor activities, including skiing, fishing and hunting. “I grew up in this area, and it has always had a special place in my heart,” Archuleta said.  “As acting San Juan National Forest Supervisor, I am really looking forward to working with the people, communities and partners until a new permanent Forest Supervisor is selected.”

County creates Water Advisory board

La Plata County commissioners recently created a new board to advise it on water issues and is seeking local representatives to fill it. Known officially as the Water Advisory Commission, the seven-member board will be made up of the local engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources as well as six community members. Commissioners are looking for one representative of a “small” water system; one representative of a “large” water system; one hydrologist, engineer or other knowledgeable water consultant; one representative of the environmental and/or conservation community; and two members of the community at large who have knowledge and experience in water issues and/or water rights.

 The board will serve an advisory role, making recommendations to county commissioners on water issues of importance to the County. Such issues include analysis of local water resources; operation of a County water dock; potential purchase of water from the Animas-La Plata Project; concerns with “proof of water” for central water systems; and a possible countywide hydrological study.

Positions are unpaid. An application and further description is available at the County’s website, www.co.laplata.co.us , or from the Information Desk at the County Courthouse, 1060 E. 2nd Ave., Durango. Applications are due by Dec. 31. For more information, call 970-382-6219.

– Missy Votel