City discusses retail pot moratorium
If they do it, they want to do it right.

During a City Council Study Session on Tuesday afternoon, city officials discussed placing a moratorium on retail marijuana facilities through June 2014 as a way to both honor voters and make sure the proper regulatory framework is in place.

“Good planning takes time,” said Councilor Sweetie Marbury.

More than 60 percent of voters in La Plata County approved Amendment 64, and the margin in Durango was even greater.

The state constitutional amendment legalizes retail marijuana sales, agricultural hemp production and the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for residents 21 and over.

Councilor Christina Rinderle said the voters spoke loud and clear about the issue. The concern for city officials is the state regulations, which City Attorney David Smith said was “slapped together” in the final days of this year’s legislative session.

They anticipate the issue will need to be addressed in the next legislative session. Smith said the moratorium could allow the council not only time to see how other municipalities are approaching the issue, but also how the state might fine-tune the regulations.

It will also allow for the council to get the results of a November vote on whether or not to approve two taxes on nonmedical marijuana, a 15 percent excise tax and as much as a 15 percent special sales tax.

Council members also discussed meeting with local medical marijuana business owners for input. “We’re really trying to work together on this,” Rinderle said.

The amendment does give local municipalities the authority to ban retail sales in their district, something several state municipalities have already done. However, the council was not looking at the moratorium as a way to opt out.

Like the current moratorium on new licenses for medical marijuana, which is in effect through the end of year, it would allow the city time to answer policy and regulatory questions that still linger.

County tightens fire restrictions
With the lack of significant rainfall over the last week, La Plata County commissioners are tightening fire restrictions. At their weekly meeting Tuesday, commissioners voted to enact Stage II fire restrictions, a step up from the Stage II restrictions enacted last week. The new restrictions were based upon the recommendation of the Sheriff Duke Schirard and the chiefs of the local fire districts and went into effect immediately. They apply to the unincorporated areas of La Plata County and all lands owned by La Plata County.

County Emergency Management Director Butch Knowlton said much of the trees and vegetation that were green earlier in the summer have continued to dry out, which further increases the potential for a wildfire. “It’s so important for everyone to be responsible and adhere to these restrictions, because one spark could lead to disaster,” said Knowlton.

Under Stage II fire restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:

- Open burning, burn barrels and agricultural burning.
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, stove fire, including but not limited to charcoal grills, coal or wood burning stoves, or sheepherder’s stoves, unless the specific device uses pressurized liquid or gas, includes a shut-off valve, and is used in areas that are barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least 3 feet on all sides of the specific device.

- Smoking, unless within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.

- Welding, pipefitting, metal grinding or operating a torch with open flame unless within areas that are barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least 10 feet on all sides, and in addition to the equipment operator, a second person equipped with a fire extinguisher and shovel readily available is on-site to watch for fires.

- Operating a chainsaw, unless a fire extinguisher is in the operator’s immediate vicinity and a shovel is with fueling supplies and is readily available.

- Operating or using any internal combustion engine, including but not limited to chainsaws or generators, unless equipped with a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

- Using an explosive, including but not limited to fireworks, blasting caps or any other incendiary device.

- Flaring for oil and gas production wells and production facilities.

Violation of these restrictions is a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a fine of up to $300.  

La Plata County’s fire response agencies will continue to monitor the situation, and if conditions deteriorate, a more restrictive fire ban may be put in place. The fire restrictions will remain in effect until the threat of fire danger has reduced significantly, as determined by the Sheriff and the local fire districts.
 
4CORE re-energizes mission, strategy
After more than six years of working to “advance resource efficiency,” the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) is expanding its efforts – and its mission statement.

This week, the nonprofit announced a new mission statement as well as a strategic plan aimed at honing its efforts while lowering energy consumption in the region.

The new mission, “To serve Southwest Colorado as the leading resource for the effective and efficient use of energy to promote and sustain our vibrant local communities,” and strategic plan were based on requests, community feedback and the needs of the residents and businesses, according to newly elected Board Chair Erich Bussian. He said the new, four-pronged strategic plan will improve upon 4CORE’s existing programs and services.

“Our board and staff have just completed a strategic plan that will build upon Durango’s goals of using energy efficiently, promoting renewable energy development and expanding our educational role around energy,” said Bussian. “Weatherization was a great program, and we now look forward to expanding our role around energy use.”

The four newly honed areas of focus are:

- Energy efficiency, health and safety for commercial buildings and homes
- Innovative solutions, including solar photovoltaic (PV)
- Resource efficiency education for building professionals and residents
- Energy information hub, distributing relevant, accurate information and resources for decreasing energy use.

Energy efficiency efforts will be improved by conducting residential and commercial energy assessments and upgrades through the Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) and the Home Performance Prescription (HomeRx) Program. This includes linking clients with finance and incentives, as well as promoting job creation by referring work to local energy professionals. 4CORE will ensure quality work by performing inspections on upgraded homes and buildings.

4CORE’s “innovative solutions” will focus on facilitating the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) through a Solarize campaign. Though still in the planning stages, the campaign seeks to add solar PV to 100 local homes by March of 2014, adding 325 kw of clean, locally produced energy. The goal of the campaign is to not only help the environment, but help fuel the local economy by keeping dollars here that otherwise would go to out-of-town energy providers, and create work for local solar installers.

The “resource efficiency education” part of the equation will continue 4CORE’s existing outreach efforts, including the “Home Spotlight” tours, technical training, brown bag lunches, indoor air quality presentations for low income residents, and facilitation of the regional dialogue on alternative fuel vehicles, including compressed natural gas.

Finally, 4CORE will continue to keep residents informed of the latest technology and information via its website, newsletters, blogs and social media.

– Tracy Chamberlin and Missy Votel