Pot shop makes second attempt to get license

by Kimberly Adams
TRINIDAD — It is Round II for Spot 420 owner Robert Lucero as he made another go at winning over the good graces of the Trinidad City Council in hopes for their approval of his marijuana business license application package after they denied his initial application attempt two months ago. 
Lucero, who owns The Spot 420 retail and medical marijuana dispensary in Pueblo West, wants to open a second location at 453 Commercial Street, naming the business Spot 420 Riverside.  He operates under his legal business name Colorado Cannabis Associates, LLC / dba The Spot Riverside. 
The denial of the original application came after an hour-long questioning session between Lucero and the council during the initial public hearing March 2.  At the time, the council’s general consensus was the application had too many discrepancies to be approved, and as council member Anthony Mattie put it, “didn’t pass the smell test.”
In fact, Mattie was the dissenting vote when the council voted March 5 during their regular meeting in setting the new public hearing date for Tuesday, June 16. Lucero was present at the council’s regular meeting May 5 with his attorney Mark Scarr.  Lucero informed council Scarr will be present during the meeting.
Spot 420 representatives had said the license they bought from a previous marijuana business license holder had prior violations on it and attempted to clear them up before approaching city council the first time.
The council also set a June 16 public hearing date for the marijuana business applicants of Freedom Road Garden LTD d/b/a Freedom Road to be located at 2600 Freedom Road. The license package includes a new retail store, new retail cultivation facility, new medical marijuana center, and a new medical marijuana optional premise cultivation operation.
Council member Joe Bonato asked City Manager Gabriel Engeland how much money the city has made in marijuana taxes and fees so far this. The city is estimated to have collected nearly $55,000, according to Engeland.
Council held discussion on the marijuana signage ordinance during a previous work session last month with no final decisions made.
In municipal water matters, city council approved a extraterritorial water tap request by Kelly Rivera for 37830 County Rd. 32.4, known as El Moro Road. They also approved the same request for Trent Mantelli on the same road.
In an unrelated water item, council approved an agreement between Model Land & Irrigation Company and the City of Trinidad for use of the Hoehne and Model Return Flow Structures located on the Purgatoire River.
The Trinidad City Council will meet at city hall next at 1:30 pm Tuesday for their regular work session.