Recently we have learned of
the plan to annex “The City Ranch.” Why is Walsenburg moving to
annex the “Ranch?”
The aggressive way that
Walsenburg officials have embraced marijuana as a cure all for the
city's financial problems is almost equal to the passion exhibited
for the Northlands annexation. We have not seen the end to that
speculation yet, but it's time to jump into another adventure.
“Brian Trani, chief
executive officer of Martra Holdings Co., said the company hopes to
break ground on the site next month. It won't do so until it has
secured a pertual water rights contract from Walsenburg, something he
hopes to accomplish with annexation into the city by the end of
May.”*(1)
Until the city annexes the
“Ranch,” they won't have complete control of that project. It
may have something to do with water rights. If the Martra Group gets
up to capacity, it will mean Walsenburg will have to provide about
70,000 gallons of water per day to the operation.*(2) At present the
county controls the land. Will the city be able to provide the
amount of water required at present rates or will the rates increase
to sustain the need of the grow operations. What will these
perpetual water rights be? The deal with Martra is scheduled to
finalize on June 1. This will include the sale and annexation.
Prior to March of this year
Walsenburg only licensed sale of medical marijuana. In March
Walsenburg passed ordinances which allow retail marijuana stores,
cultivation facilities, products manufacturing, and marijuana
testing within the city limits.*(3)
The uncertainty of the water
supply in the future, the expansion of the city with additional
service requirements, and the dependence on one industry for the
future of the city are troubling aspects of the new developments.
It is common knowledge that
diversity is a key to success in financial investing. This same
concept should apply to city development. It is questionable that
other companies will seek out drug dependent cities as prime
candidates for new expansion.
*(1) The Pueblo Chieftain,
05/03/15.
*(2) Dave Johnston.
*(3) Channel 9 News,
04/30/15.
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