MONUMENT, CO – Monument citizens faced-off against the management team of a methadone clinic set to open its doors in town. The clinic is set to open directly across the street from a popular park. Neighbors have concerns about transportation, loitering and crime.
Representatives from Colonial Management cited arrest, overdose and hospitalization data for the area as the company’s reason for opening in Monument.
Neighbors raised specific questions about transportation, loitering patients even appropriate recovery dosage. Many of the representative’s responses weren’t satisfying their audience.
“Obviously by the way they answered our questions they think we’re naive and ignorant,” said Luke Fallentine. “We’re insulted by that and ready to fight back.”
Zoning questions were directed to Monument Mayor Rafael Dominguez who says the building is zoned properly for the clinic and called it a done deal.
“It’s a horrible location,” he said. “it’s a horrible decision for this business to go across from a park, but the town’s hands are tied.”
Fallentine knows addicts because he was one. He’s all for recovery but not the clinic coming to his neighborhood.
“At one point it really becomes get high or you’d rather be dead,” he said. “So they’ll commit crimes without a doubt the crime rate will rise.”
Business owners say the clinic would change everything about how they do business. They’re ready to petition town zoning and the landlord of the building.
“Every possible legal pathway that we can pursue we will pursue as a community,” said Claire Medlicott who teaches music lessons nearby.
A hearing on the zoning appeal is scheduled for August 6th.
Colonial Management denied our request for an interview, however one represented agreed to change her flight to continue to hear concerns from the community.
