Public hearing set for bag fee
Paper or plastic? That question could be a thing of the past with talk of a disposable bag fee on the Durango City Council agenda.
But not before the community gets its chance to speak on Tues., June 4, at 6:30 p.m. during the City Council’s regular meeting at City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
Paper or plastic? That question could be a thing of the past with talk of a disposable bag fee on the Durango City Council agenda.
But not before the community gets its chance to speak on Tues., June 4, at 6:30 p.m. during the City Council’s regular meeting at City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
Durango officials have been discussing the possibility of banning plastic grocery bags for the past few years, and the talk is taking a new turn with a scheduled public hearing on the issue. Durango certainly wouldn’t be the first community to enact a ban or fee for the use of disposable bags, joining the likes of Boulder, Aspen and Austin, Texas.
After discussions from the city’s Plastic Bag Task Force last year, policy options considered by the Council included fees, bans, education and community outreach. The current proposal includes charging a 10 cent fee on paper or plastic disposable bags at grocery stores within the city limits, and an opt-in option for any business in the city.
For more information, visit www.durangogov.org.
State blazes new trail with pot laws
Colorado pot smokers can exhale. On Tuesday, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law a raft of historic bills aimed at regulating, policing, distributing and taxing the now legal industry. The legislation was in response to Amendment 64, which was approved by Coloradans in 2012 and legalized the use and limited possession of marijuana for people 21 and older. Highlights of the bills follow.
SB 13-283:
- Prohibits marijuana from schools, child care centers and community residential homes.
- Defines what it means to be using marijuana “openly” and “publicly.”
- Specifies that law enforcement must be trained to determine impairment during roadside stops.
- Requires a study of the effects of Amendment 64.
- Prohibits marijuana from schools, child care centers and community residential homes.
- Defines what it means to be using marijuana “openly” and “publicly.”
- Specifies that law enforcement must be trained to determine impairment during roadside stops.
- Requires a study of the effects of Amendment 64.
HB 13-1317:
- Establishes the Marijuana Enforcement Division under the Department of Revenue.
- Establishes the marijuana cash fund, which consists of revenue collected through the excise and sales taxes.
- Creates a licensing and regulatory structure for marijuana stores, products, and cultivation and testing facilities.
- Gives medical marijuana businesses the option to convert to retail businesses or to operate as both.
- Requires businesses to use “vertical integration” for the first nine months (January - October 2014), defined as common ownership of cultivation and retail facilities.
- Places restrictions on marijuana licenses. Applicants must have a background check and be a 2-year resident.
- Establishes the Marijuana Enforcement Division under the Department of Revenue.
- Establishes the marijuana cash fund, which consists of revenue collected through the excise and sales taxes.
- Creates a licensing and regulatory structure for marijuana stores, products, and cultivation and testing facilities.
- Gives medical marijuana businesses the option to convert to retail businesses or to operate as both.
- Requires businesses to use “vertical integration” for the first nine months (January - October 2014), defined as common ownership of cultivation and retail facilities.
- Places restrictions on marijuana licenses. Applicants must have a background check and be a 2-year resident.
HB 13-1318:
- Lays framework for an excise tax of up to 15 percent. The first $40 million every year will go to the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.
- Lays framework for sales tax between 10 - 15 percent
- Lays framework for an excise tax of up to 15 percent. The first $40 million every year will go to the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.
- Lays framework for sales tax between 10 - 15 percent
HB 1325:
- Sets a THC-blood limit at 5 nanograms abd allows people charged with driving over the limti to contest the charge.
- Sets a THC-blood limit at 5 nanograms abd allows people charged with driving over the limti to contest the charge.
Hickenlooper has been an outspoken opponent of marijuana legalization, starting with his now-infamous “Cheetos” quote upon passage of 64 last November. In fact, it was unknown whether he would sign the bills, which were the result of a statewide task force that convened at the beginning of the year. Under provisions of 64, the state had until July 1 to develop legislation to implement the will of the state’s voters. However,
Hickenlooper seemed settled with the new laws at Tuesday’s signing, referring to them as “common sense.”
Under the law, Coloradoans 21 and older can possess and buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana from licensed shops and can grow six plants, with only three flowering, at a time.
Under the law, Coloradoans 21 and older can possess and buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana from licensed shops and can grow six plants, with only three flowering, at a time.
People will be able to step into a store and buy pot around Jan. 1, 2014. However, for the first nine months, only existing dispensaries will be able to apply for a retail sales license. In October 2014, that stipulation would be lifted.
Under TABOR, state voters need to approve the tax, which could total as much as 30 percent. If rejected, the state would be left holding the bag, so to speak, for the cost of regulating the industry.
Voss to head up Mountain Middle
Former Durango High football coach and teacher Shane Voss will be taking the helm at Mountain Middle School. Voss, who spearheaded DHS’ Basecamp School of Expeditionary Learning and served as its teacher leader, will start his new job as Head of School at Durango’s only charter middle school July 1.
Voss to head up Mountain Middle
Former Durango High football coach and teacher Shane Voss will be taking the helm at Mountain Middle School. Voss, who spearheaded DHS’ Basecamp School of Expeditionary Learning and served as its teacher leader, will start his new job as Head of School at Durango’s only charter middle school July 1.
An educator for the past 15 years, Voss is a graduate of Fort Lewis College and holds a master’s in humanities from Northwestern University. “Mr. Voss is noted for his ability to bring clarity to a vision and for coaching teachers in a new model of instruction,” said Erin Patla, president of the MMS Board of Directors.
Now entering its third year, MMS’ curriculum is built upon project-based learning. “I firmly believe in the power of the Project-Based Learning methodology and the forward-thinking team at Mountain Middle School,” Voss said. “I look forward to fostering a culture of academic excellence .”
Voss will replace Jackie Oros, who came to the school from New Hampshire in June 2011.
– Tracy Chamberlin and Missy Votel