At the beginning of last month, Colorado announced the revenue for the first month of retail marijuana sales at just over $2 million. While retail sale has remained illegal in Mesa County, two municipalities, Fruita and De Beque asked their citizens if they would like to see stores in their community.

11 other Colorado cities and towns voted on the same matter, but in Fruita voters answered with a resounding “no” with 2,149 votes against and 1,217 for the measure. According to the measure’s language, a 5 percent excise tax could have increased taxes in Fruita by an estimated $100,000.

The result in Fruita may not come as much of a surprise as voters shot down a vote allowing medical marijuana stores in years past. The majority of Fruita voters were not in favor of Amendment 64.

In De Beque voters only slightly apporved retail stores, becoming the first town in Mesa County to do so.

“Suffice to say, the vote in De Beque was close.” City Manager Guy Patterson said. “Close enough that a handful of votes could have swayed the election.”

A reported four more voters were in favor of the measure as the final count was 69 for and 65 against in the town of 504 residents.

“Last summer the Town Board held a citizens meeting to discuss both legalized gaming and recreational marijuana,” Patterson said. “Out of that meeting the general consensus of the community was it was worth a further discussion regarding marijuana.”

The town enacted a moratorium, disallowing retail in city limits until such time when the town’s residents could vote on the matter.

Now that the measure has been approved, the town will work out regulations as to where stores can be located. The town is also looking to regulate cultivators, the number of stores and taxes.

Taxes will be discussed over the summer, according to Patterson, and because of Colorado Constitution statutes, De Beque citizens will be asked to vote on that matter on the November ballot.

With the passage, De Beque will be the second store this side of Vail to have a retail marijuana store.

“It is reasonable to expect customers from Utah, the Grand Valley, the Dinosaur area and all along the I-70 corridor.” Patterson said. “De Beque is easily accessible from all those locations.”

brjthomp@mavs.coloradomesa.edu