Marijuana Business Having Growing Pains In Southern Colorado

PENROSE, Colo. (CBS4) – Residents in the town of Penrose are raising concerns about the marijuana business in their community.

Neighbors in the town said the smell from the plants is too strong and the bright lights from the greenhouses are too invasive at night.

Penrose is a small town in Fremont County where seven marijuana grow operations have been approved and each is allowed to have several greenhouses on their property.

"I can smell the marijuana. You can smell it right here. I don't think anyone realized that this was going to be an issue and that's our main thrust with what we are trying to do here, to make people aware we would like to see it regulated here, but it needs to be regulated elsewhere," said said resident Susan Hilderbrand.

Those opposed to the pot business are calling themselves Penrose Concerned Citizens.

Because of their complaints, one grow operation has installed blackout curtains, air filters and new watering systems.

"We are doing everything we can to can to be good neighbors as far as odor control, light pollution, water usage. Some of these things are pretty expensive," said Edward Vazquez, Co-owner of Apply Valley.

Last week Fremont County commissioners put a hold on any marijuana related construction for 120 days.

During that time the county will draft regulations for medical marijuana greenhouse to address concerns.