Pike National Forest: Can't see the trees for the weed

A fire in Pike National Forest would bake the entire region. Fed and local law enforcement types located more than 14,000 marijuana plants in Pike National Forest near Deckers last week, and it's hardly the first time such a discovery has been made in that area. In July, the West...

By Michael Roberts

August 27, 2009

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A fire in Pike National Forest would bake the entire region. Fed and local law enforcement types located more than 14,000 marijuana plants in Pike National Forest near Deckers last week, and it's hardly the first time such a discovery has been made in that area. In July, the West Metro Drug Task Force found and eradicated what the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office described as "a sophisticated outdoor marijuana grow operation in the Pike National Forest on Sugarloaf Mountain." That haul netted approximately 5,100 plants, and judging by the photo above, they weren't the cannabis equivalents of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. To see a slideshow of images from the Sugarloaf planatation, click here.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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