SUNRISE: Medical marijuana vote expected today

Colorado Springs City Council will consider today a resolution that proposes setting a distance regulation between medical marijuana dispensaries and schools, parks and neighborhoods. All dispensaries, including those in operation for years, would be subject to the distance regulation. Those not meeting the regulation would be shut down or forced to move. 

The resolution was created in the wake of numerous complaints over a planned medical marijuana dispensary in the old Mission Inn Restaurant on North Academy Boulevard.

Members of the Colorado Springs Medical Cannabis Council were taken by surprise by Monday’s resolution. “We were doing really well in the process, and I don’t know why they decided to circumvent it,” said task force member Tanya Garduno on Monday.

Jessica Hogan, director of public relations for the task force, is asking medical marijuana patients and others to voice their views on the issue at today’s City Council meeting. “We have worked with City Council since October to coordinate our proposed ordinance in order for it to endure the public process,” Hogan said in a statement this morning. “It is only fair that this possible moratorium be addressed by the public before any vote takes place.”

Today’s City Council meeting begins at 1 p.m. at City Hall downtown. All are welcome.

THE RETURN OF SUNNY DAYS

After all the snow and cloudy skies over the past few days, today’s sunshine will be most welcome. But be sure to bundle up this morning. Temperatures in Colorado Springs likely will remain in the single digits until about 10 a.m.

You can expect plenty of sunshine today, with highs stretching into the upper 30s, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Sunshine should return Wednesday, with temperatures getting up to 45, forecasters say. There’s a 10 percent chance of snow Wednesday night.

Thursday looks like a nice day as well, though there is a 30 percent chance of snow in the forecast, and a 20 percent chance of snow for Thursday night.

But Friday should be beautiful, with plenty of sun and highs near 40, forecasters say.

HAPPENINGS

- IHOP’S “National Pancake Day” celebration, receive a free short stack of pancakes with a donation to Children’s Miracle Network, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., participating IHOP restaurants.

- “Dr. Seuss Day” children’s program, with stories, crafts and refreshments, 10-11:15 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m., Monument Library Branch, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, free.

- “Story Salon #3 - Seeing Truths” film, 4:30 p.m., Colorado College, Screening Room, Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave., free.

- “Family Film Fun” with a showing of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” 6:30 p.m., Old Colorado City Library Branch, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free.

- Air Force Chamber concert, 7:30 p.m., Colorado College, Packard Hall, 5 W. Cache La Poudre St., free.

- Hanifen Center at Marian House Diocesan Forum,with George Weigel, commentator, biographer to Pope John Paul II and columnist, 7:30 p.m., Colorado College, Slocum Commons, first floor, southwest wing, Slocum Hall, 130 E. Cache La Poudre St., free.

AROUND COLORADO

DENVER - Opening arguments are scheduled to begin today for a man charged in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. Willie Clark faces a first-degree murder charge. He has said he is innocent in the shooting that occurred on New Year's Day 2007 outside a Denver nightclub.

DENVER - A man accused of robbing an elderly woman of her lottery winnings has pleaded guilty. Prosecutors say 33-year-old Leonard Bedon was in line behind a 75-year-old woman while she redeemed the lottery ticket for $200 cash, then grabbed her purse as she was walking to her car. Bedon faces at least six years in prison when he is sentenced April 5.

BOULDER - Boulder authorities say whoever provided alcohol to a 20-year-old college student who fell from a three-story sorority house could face charges. The University of Colorado sorority member suffered broken bones and other internal injuries. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.