Jessica Mendoza

The 200 shops faced a lot of competition from each other. And it didn't help that the taxes on marijuana products were so high.

The 200 shops faced a lot of competition from each other. And it didn't help that the taxes on marijuana products were so high.

I mean, I can see why businesses didn't love that.

I mean, I can see why businesses didn't love that.

I mean, I can see why businesses didn't love that.

And some sellers were skipping the license process and going through the black market instead.

And some sellers were skipping the license process and going through the black market instead.

And some sellers were skipping the license process and going through the black market instead.

At the same time, this was around 2020, other states started legalizing marijuana, creating even more competition. What did that mean for businesses like Sticky Icky's?

At the same time, this was around 2020, other states started legalizing marijuana, creating even more competition. What did that mean for businesses like Sticky Icky's?

At the same time, this was around 2020, other states started legalizing marijuana, creating even more competition. What did that mean for businesses like Sticky Icky's?

As the marijuana industry in Pueblo has struggled, the county's tax revenue has plunged. Dispensaries have closed down, going from more than 200 businesses in 2017 to just 45.

As the marijuana industry in Pueblo has struggled, the county's tax revenue has plunged. Dispensaries have closed down, going from more than 200 businesses in 2017 to just 45.

As the marijuana industry in Pueblo has struggled, the county's tax revenue has plunged. Dispensaries have closed down, going from more than 200 businesses in 2017 to just 45.

And as Julie spent more time in Pueblo, she heard from residents who felt strongly that the failure of the marijuana industry was hurting their town. That's next.

And as Julie spent more time in Pueblo, she heard from residents who felt strongly that the failure of the marijuana industry was hurting their town. That's next.

And as Julie spent more time in Pueblo, she heard from residents who felt strongly that the failure of the marijuana industry was hurting their town. That's next.

Pueblo's marijuana business boomed and quickly went bust. Now, local law enforcement, along with some city officials and residents, say the experiment wasn't worth it. One of the lingering problems has to do with the people who came to Pueblo from out of town, drawn by the industry's promise. While some did start their own shops, that wasn't the case for everyone.

Pueblo's marijuana business boomed and quickly went bust. Now, local law enforcement, along with some city officials and residents, say the experiment wasn't worth it. One of the lingering problems has to do with the people who came to Pueblo from out of town, drawn by the industry's promise. While some did start their own shops, that wasn't the case for everyone.

Pueblo's marijuana business boomed and quickly went bust. Now, local law enforcement, along with some city officials and residents, say the experiment wasn't worth it. One of the lingering problems has to do with the people who came to Pueblo from out of town, drawn by the industry's promise. While some did start their own shops, that wasn't the case for everyone.