Jessica Mendoza

But even as the cannabis industry took a nosedive in Pueblo, a lot of the newcomers stuck around. Crime and homelessness started to rise, and some residents that Julie talked to blamed marijuana. Local police told Julie that before legalization, there were only about 15 unhoused people in Pueblo, and they knew all their names. Now, that population has grown to more than 500.

But even as the cannabis industry took a nosedive in Pueblo, a lot of the newcomers stuck around. Crime and homelessness started to rise, and some residents that Julie talked to blamed marijuana. Local police told Julie that before legalization, there were only about 15 unhoused people in Pueblo, and they knew all their names. Now, that population has grown to more than 500.

But even as the cannabis industry took a nosedive in Pueblo, a lot of the newcomers stuck around. Crime and homelessness started to rise, and some residents that Julie talked to blamed marijuana. Local police told Julie that before legalization, there were only about 15 unhoused people in Pueblo, and they knew all their names. Now, that population has grown to more than 500.

Julie went on a ride-along with Ryan Masterson, who's with the local police department. He said that unhoused people he's spoken to have told him that they came to Pueblo for the marijuana.

Julie went on a ride-along with Ryan Masterson, who's with the local police department. He said that unhoused people he's spoken to have told him that they came to Pueblo for the marijuana.

Julie went on a ride-along with Ryan Masterson, who's with the local police department. He said that unhoused people he's spoken to have told him that they came to Pueblo for the marijuana.

Whether there's a distinct connection between homelessness and cannabis legalization is still being debated. Regardless, city officials say the tax revenue they're bringing in for marijuana isn't enough to meet the costs of some of the new problems they blame on the industry. And social organizations trying to address these issues are feeling the strain.

Whether there's a distinct connection between homelessness and cannabis legalization is still being debated. Regardless, city officials say the tax revenue they're bringing in for marijuana isn't enough to meet the costs of some of the new problems they blame on the industry. And social organizations trying to address these issues are feeling the strain.

Whether there's a distinct connection between homelessness and cannabis legalization is still being debated. Regardless, city officials say the tax revenue they're bringing in for marijuana isn't enough to meet the costs of some of the new problems they blame on the industry. And social organizations trying to address these issues are feeling the strain.

There are still some weed shops in Pueblo, though many of them are working with fewer employees and slower business. You know, Sticky Icky's is still there.

There are still some weed shops in Pueblo, though many of them are working with fewer employees and slower business. You know, Sticky Icky's is still there.

There are still some weed shops in Pueblo, though many of them are working with fewer employees and slower business. You know, Sticky Icky's is still there.

What would it take at this point for Pueblo to have a strong economy or even a stable economy?

What would it take at this point for Pueblo to have a strong economy or even a stable economy?

What would it take at this point for Pueblo to have a strong economy or even a stable economy?

Pueblo was one of the first communities to go all in when Colorado led the legalization of recreational marijuana. Now, 24 states around the country have done the same. What's your takeaway from your reporting on Pueblo?

Pueblo was one of the first communities to go all in when Colorado led the legalization of recreational marijuana. Now, 24 states around the country have done the same. What's your takeaway from your reporting on Pueblo?

Pueblo was one of the first communities to go all in when Colorado led the legalization of recreational marijuana. Now, 24 states around the country have done the same. What's your takeaway from your reporting on Pueblo?

So it isn't that Pueblo is an example of why this is not going to work. It's more of a, it's not going to work this way.

So it isn't that Pueblo is an example of why this is not going to work. It's more of a, it's not going to work this way.