Planning director LeeAnn Milligan said Colorado Invitational Bong-A-Thon officials filed a special-use permit last month for the 32nd annual event. Commissioners said the county lacked the time to advertise a public hearing before the event, planned for July 31 through Aug. 2.
Planning and Zoning member Dennis Atwater also informed commissioners that the board was unanimous in its objection to the permit, saying it was "too risky."
"We should nip it in the bud," said Atwater.
Reached via telephone after the commissioners meeting on Monday, June 29, event organizer Chris Jetter was dumbfounded, stating he had been bounced around to county officials since mid-May. He didn't attend Monday's meeting.
"I was unaware the commissioners were even meeting until this morning," said Jetter. "It's sort of short-sighted on their end."
Jetter added that his lawyer would be in contact with county officials.
"It's a private party on private property," said Jetter.
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin told commissioners the event would likely be held as advertised. Event tickets were capped at 1,200 last year.
"How do we handle the situation?" Nowlin asked commissioners.
"You picked the wrong time to run for sheriff," joked commissioner Larry Don Suckla.
County attorney John Baxter suggested a court injunction could be issued, but he added the effort might be futile if organizers proceeded with plans to host the event without a permit. Baxter said he would check to see if land-use code violations were jailable offenses.
"They can't legally do it," said Baxter. "The concern is how to get people to disperse."
Nowlin said he was concerned about underage marijuana use and traffic and noise complaints. The event website states that no one under 21 will be allowed.
"We don't have enough people to stop this," said Nowlin. He added that he could be forced to cancel deputies' vacations and require overtime pay.
Nowlin said that his deputies may legally enter the private 12-acre property, but they must protect people's rights.
"If they follow the law, there's not a lot I can do about it," he said.
For the past six years, the "competitive bong smoking" event was held in South Park, Colo. One contest calls for individuals to smoke 3.5 grams of pot; another, for a team to smoke a quarter-ounce of pot.
Guest tickets are available online for $80, and Golden tickets sell for $420.
For more information, visit www.bong-a-thon.com.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com