SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colo. – The county planning board will review a proposal Thursday evening to build a large-scale commercial marijuana grow facility in a rural area of the county. The proposal is opposed by a couple who purchased land last year to build their dream house.
“Saguache county is very economically deprived county, and we need to do everything we can to prosper growth in the county. Marijuana has been a boom to the county,” said Saguache County Planning Commissioner Bill Mcclure.
More: Homeowners in rural Colorado worry commercial pot grow will overtake the lifestyle
McClure would not say how he will vote Thursday because he says he wants to hear more facts and opinions before making a decision.
Mischa Vining-Doyle and Shiloh Jackman say the proposed facility will be several thousand square feet and have a security fence around it and diesel generators to power the facility.
“We had a driveway put in and paid to drill a well all before we learned what might be going in next to us,” Shiloh Jackman told Denver7.
The couple purchased a 35-acre piece of land last year but haven’t started construction on their home.
They worry a commercial grow facility near them will overshadow their views and the rural lifestyle they seek.
Mcclure said large-scale commercial marijuana grow facilities help generate money.
“We have one that's 40 acres that is paying $7,000 now,” he said.
That is per year. He knows that might not sound like a lot but says in a county that struggles to pay for services, properties paying that can make a difference. He is also happy to have additional jobs in the county.
“If you can get another 100 jobs through the cannabis industry that's a shot in the arm for Saguache county,” he said.
The planning commissioners are expected to vote Thursday.
The county commissioners would still have to give final approval.