Windsor Dispensory owner fined 26K in building code violations

I knew this one was coming. I have been in my own electrical contracting business for many years in this state.

This owner is being charged 26K for building code violations--and was made to shut down--because he opened his dispensory after the City of Windsor had a 1 year moratorium on them. Then they came in and hit him hard with building code violations, in which he was charged 600 per day amounting to the 26K. They actually condemned the building his operation was located in.

So many dispensories and optional grow rooms do not understand that under long term State electrical statutes--that only an licensed and insured electrical contractor can do work on new or existing commercial or industrial property. This means simply installing a new circuit for some lights--must be done by an electrical contractor. Plumbers in this state are under the same statutes. Only the contractor can obtain the necessary permits from the building department or the State---(which applies also to unincorporated areas of counties). Typically if not close to a building department a state electrical inspector will do the inspection.

So what's next? After all these dispensories and optional grow rooms jump through all the State licensing hoops to obtain a medical center license--then the building department will be the next in line to show up.

So a heads up to all of you. Don't take any short-cuts. and make certain that no matter how small of a job that includes any new wiring or plumbing-that it is installed by a state licensed and insured contractor. Make certain that they obtain permits for all work they do and that it is inspected and approved by your local inspecting authority.

Just from my experience I have seen electrical inspectors--(state and local inspectors) make business owners tear out sheet-rock and wall--boards to see the wiring within--and if one really gets an inspector mad--they have the authority to call the power company and order them to shut off power--thereby insuring that your grow operation is completely destroyed. They also red tag buildings--forcing you to do a total lock up of your business until you do contact the licensed contractor--fix any violations--and have it inspected.

I hope this helps.

Medical-pot dispensary owner has few options left in fight with Windsor officials - The Denver Post