LA VETA– Just shy of two months after enacting its marijuana ordinance, the town of La Veta has received a commercial development permit application to repurpose a building within the town limits which will eventually become a “marijuana medical and retail” establishment. Grandote Green, LLC submitted the application which involves Tract A of Grandote Golf & Country Club Filing #1, located at One Grandote Drive. This is the only commercial tract in Grandote Filing #1 and was originally the real estate office for the golf-community development. Mayor Doug Brgoch pointed out that, at this stage, the application is for use of the building only, not the marijuana aspect of the establishment. Several quit claim deed documents were included with the application showing transfer of the subject property from Grandote Golf & Country Club, LLC in La Veta to Briggs Properties Co., LLC in Albuquerque, NM. Both corporations are owned by Charles R. “Randy” Briggs. Briggs is also the registered agent for Grandote Green, which was registered with the
Colorado Secretary of State on May 7, 2014. Trustee Dale Davis said of the quit claim deeds, “These are only good for what you think you own. I believe we will need a general warranty deed.” He also said a survey is needed with property and highway setbacks, adding, “The parking lot is pretty close to the highway.” The town board accepted the application as “substantially complete” and set a public hearing for August 19, 2014 at 6 pm at the La Veta Community Center. Brgoch said additional items will be required before the application is considered wholly complete and ready for the public hearing. The Oktoberfest committee, headed up by Sher and Shane Clouse, applied for a special events permit for October 4, which will include a “beer garden” serving malt, vinous, and spirituous liquor. The mayor said there is a new state statute that special events no longer require a liquor license hearing. Trustee Chip Kraynyk asked the applicant about how the proceeds from the event are used, and Mrs. Clouse responded that they fund the Candy Cocco Awards, based on community service and also are given to people in need. The special event permit was approved for the 200 block of South Main Street. The board then voted to close Main Street for the event on October 4 from 5 am to 8 pm from Ryus to Garland Street. When the town renewed its insurance, it was informed that the policy now excludes all special events. So the Oktoberfest committee priced one day of insurance coverage and found that it would cost $1,251. Sandra Helwig told the board that the cost of the insurance would negate two of the committee’s financial awards. Mayor Brgoch said the town can list Oktoberfest as a special event on its insurance policy at no cost, but if there are any claims arising from the event it would cause the town’s premiums to increase next year. Regarding the beer garden, Shane Clouse assured the board, “We do employ security and don’t just rely on the marshal’s office. There is very rarely an incident.” He also told the board that there has not been a claim arising from the festival since it was started in 1986. Trustee Al Coffey said, “Maybe next year Oktoberfest can be more prepared to absorb this premium themselves.” The board voted to list Oktoberfest as one of the approved special events on its insurance policy for 2014. Trustee Dave Molyneux said of Oktoberfest, “It’s a wonderful thing, and with the immense economic help it brings to this community, we will find a way to keep this thing going.” Mayor Brgoch opened the single bid the town received to do the repair work at the marshal’s office. The bid from Blakely Construction was in the amount of $23,000. The board accepted it as the apparent low bid and will submit it to the insurance company for further review.
