High Valley Farms near Basalt in Pitkin County, Colorado. (Aspen Times file)

Lingering odor issues put Colorado pot facility’s license in jeopardy

ASPEN — In a highly charged meeting Tuesday, Pitkin County commissioners told the owners of High Valley Farms, a marijuana grow facility that debuted last year, that its license is in serious peril because of its chronic stench.

The meeting was the latest in a series of county commissioner work sessions over the smell wafting from High Valley Farms, located in the Basalt area. And each time, Jordan Lewis, co-owner of the greenhouses, has assured commissioners and neighbors the stench will be eradicated. The neighbors also have been making repeated claims that the odor hasn’t gone away, continually and negatively impacting their lifestyle.

At Tuesday’s meeting the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners room overflowed with frustrated Holland Hills residents, Lewis defended his Basalt-area operation and accused the neighbors of engaging in a “mob mentality,” and commissioners showed lost confidence that the smell will be arrested.

Near the meeting’s end, commissioners said the license is in jeopardy, while Commissioner George Newman called for its immediate suspension, which could not be done at a work session and would require a special hearing.

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