Boulder’s moratorium only affects new applicants and, if the City Attorney, as quoted in the Daily Camera, is to be believed, it’s for the dual sakes of allowing his office to catch up on the work the marijuana industry has generated and to consider tweaking codes to allow the city to collect more from the businesses to cover its costs.

Businesses that are already in operation and those that have applied for new licenses won’t be affected by the moratorium, meaning they can expand or relocate, which might be required of dispensaries located closer than 1,000 feet to a school. The U.S. Attorney’s office has issued letters of warning to such businesses, giving them until Feb. 27 to move or be taken out by the DEA.

In all, the article is peppered with positive comments from city leaders, including Councilwoman Lisa Morzel, who said she’s “not interested in destroying any businesses” and City Attorney Tom Carr who said the moratorium will give his office some breathing room “to be able to do this better.”

Surely, some dispensary owners are wary of the moratorium, especially as the city considers code modifications that could add additional layers of regulation and expense to what is already the most highly regulated industry in the state. But the situation in Boulder is a far sight better than in Fort Collins, where the future of medical marijuana businesses has been thrown into complete disarray.

In November, voters banned that city’s 20 dispensaries, utilizing one of the more controversial options of a state law adopted in 2010, the “opt-out” clause that gives municipalities the choice of banning medical marijuana businesses, either through voter initiative or governmental resolution.

Dispensaries naturally argued against the ban, warning voters that it wouldn’t eliminate medical marijuana from the community, as its proponents claimed, but move it instead into private homes, where the state has no oversight. Despite outspending their opponents, the dispensaries lost the argument and the deadline to close shop and liquidate the stock is Tuesday, Feb. 14.

But last week, a group of holdout dispensary owners filed a lawsuit in Larimer County District Court, claiming the ban is unconstitutional and asking for an injunction. The ruling on the injunction will be heard tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 9. Even if the injunction isn’t granted, the suit will go forward, meaning that if the ban is overturned, dispensaries will have to start from scratch to open again. It would also create a legal precedent that could be used to overturn all bans in communities across Colorado.

Confusing matters further, the City Council on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would eliminate city codes that deal with licensing medical marijuana businesses, an ordinance described by the Fort Collins Coloradoan as a housekeeping measure that anticipates the ban on dispensaries going forward. But some councilmembers are apparently worried about the very thing dispensary owners warned about before the November vote—marijuana operations moving into neighborhoods where they’re beyond the reach of state regulators.

“This, of course, is not what I want in my neighborhood,” Councilman Ben Manvel is quoted as saying. “Do we want to do something which is driving the grows into the neighborhoods?”

The council discussed allowing grow operations in industrial areas, but that would require a change in zoning regulations and take up to six months to implement.

The result of all this is a giant question mark about the future of medical marijuana in Fort Collins. Boulder, at least for now, has managed to avoid the quicksand that its neighbors—in particular, its voters—have found themselves sucked into.

But is that the case even on caucus day, after three of the top Republican nominees barnstormed the state from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction? Sure enough, according to an article in the Daily Camera tellingly titled “Republican caucuses not on the radar at CU-Boulder.” The article is short but jammed with embarrassments for any CU alum, right-leaning or not. Students quoted in the article, including Republicans, could apparently not care less that there’s a caucus being held in Colorado tonight, if, in fact, they knew what a caucus was in the first place. A video accompanying the story is like a less-funny version of The Tonight Show’s Jaywalk Allstars, in which random students draw a blank when asked if they know about the caucus.

“What’s a caucus?” asks one student repeatedly.

The article hints that the students themselves aren’t entirely to blame, citing an utter lack of posters, flyers or handouts from the university or local GOP groups informing students of when and where to vote. But surely the Camera overlooked a robust online presence of campus Republicans, right? I mean, who hands out “flyers” when you can make announcements on your Facebook page and Twitter feed? It wasn’t long ago when the Camera interviewed the Doogie Howser-ish president of the CU College Republicans, Gregory Carlson, who said, “I’ve never seen so many students and Republicans and independents so active” back in 2010.

Well, apparently that was then. A quick Google search for “CU Boulder College Republicans” turned up a lot of dry sockets. Something called Republican Buffs hasn’t tweeted in a year and its webpage is expired. Even Gregory Carlson hasn’t tweeted since September. Facebook yielded a bit more of an active site, College Republicans at CU-Boulder, but their only mention of the caucus was a link posted over the weekend about where to find your precinct meeting place. There were no posts about it on caucus day.

It’s hard to blame them. Not only is the slate of candidates lackluster (at best) and failing to inspire many Republicans anywhere, but compared to primaries, caucuses are a pain in the rear. Registered voters show up at precinct polling places, including the one on the CU campus, vote in a poll for their preferred candidate, then elect chairmen, secretaries and delegates to the county and district assemblies. Delegates to higher caucuses are among the pool selected to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa in August, where the nominee will be elected. It’s a lot of hullaballoo, to be sure, but it’s about as grassroots as you can get. For a concise and more detailed explanation, see the FAQ on the Colorado GOP website. It’s worth a read, especially if you’re a CU student. There’s no telling when a Daily Camera reporter is going to show up with a video camera to give you a pop quiz.

To each their own.

But if you really want to get your sweetheart something special this year, consider showing your love by ordering some sweet treats from one of the three local specialty dessert companies below. Give the gift of a beautifully decorated, tasty treat made with love, for the ones you love. (Insert ridiculously corny ‘awww-ing’ sounds here).

Place your sweet treats orders today!

Piece Love and Chocolate
805 Pearl St. | Boulder | 303.449.4804
I’ve never really been much of a sweets person, but on the occasion that a sugar craving sneaks up on me, one dessert always comes to mind: A gluten-free, mouse-filled, vanilla cupcake from Piece, Love and Chocolate. I’ve been known to drive at least thirty minutes out of my way for a taste of this delicious cupcake. And let’s be real, who doesn’t like cupcakes. And since I lack a lot of self-control, I usually end up leaving this sweet-smelling chocolate shop with a bag filled with white chocolate truffles and other assorted desserts as well. To. Die. For. And right now Piece, Love and Chocolate’s display cases are filled with the colors of love and edible hearts. Fantastic place to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

The Tasterie Truck
Mobile Food Truck | Boulder County | 303.550.6111
One of the best cupcakes that I’ve ever tried came from a food truck. Sometimes I dream about their melt-in-your-mouth pomegranate frosting and white cake cupcake. So yummy—and the Tasterie Truck is offering a special Valentine Day menu to help you find the perfect treat for the one you love. Pay $16/half-dozen or $28/dozen and choose from one of these heart-melting flavors: Strawberries and Champagne, Stuffed Triple Chocolate, Red Velvet and more! And this eatery on wheels also has the hook up on chocolate-covered strawberries…  So place your order today. And if you’re having trouble deciding which cupcakes to order, then follow the Tasterie Truck on Facebook and Twitter and sample their goodies at a BoCo location near you!

The Daily Cake
Web-Based | Longmont | 303.250.1752 or 303.946.3256
This up-and-coming, local cupcakery is quickly gaining fans by making craft beer a popular ingredient in their unique and tasty cupcakes. Try a Chocolate (Left Hand Brewing) Milk Stout Cake topped with a Salted Butter Cream, or create your own cupcake and craft beer infusion using one of the award-winning brews from Oskar Blues Brewery. Call or order online today to customize your own cupcake from their extensive list of flavors and frostings– or order a dozen of their specialty seasonal cupcakes! Either way, The Daily Cake is the one-stop-shop to find a Valentine’s gift for the craft beer lover and the sugar addict in your life!

She was born in Boulder, and after spending years living with her father in England, she moved back. After stints in radio and marketing, she decided to turn her career toward the kitchen—not her kitchen but the Culinary School of the Rockies, where she oversaw classes for home cooks. In 2001, in the midst of the rise of the celebrity chef, she began marketing for James Mazzio, who was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef. Then in the mid-’90s, it all seemed to happen: Frasca opened in downtown Boulder and The Kitchen opened. Chefs like Mark Monette, Dave Query, Bradford Heap, Lenny Martinelli and Radek Czerny made names for themselves.

And Ax was there to make sure the world knew about them.

“There was a confluence of people intent on promoting the business, and then there were businesses that were worthy of promotion,” she said.

After working with the Fresh Ideas Group for two years, Ax has now launched her own brand—Root PR—with a website (rootpr.com), logo, staffer and the works. Here, we talk with Ax about her favorite local foodie trends, dining spots and foods:

On her favorite foodie trend:
“It’s all about the celebrity farmer these days. I walked into Alfalfas, and there’s a giant picture of Anne Cure from Cure Organic. I think that’s really exciting. It’s really important to be connected to our food and the people who grow it. The more we are connected to it, the healthier we are all around.”

On the experience of eating:
“I think so much of eating food is about the experience, to be with people you care about. It’s like having a little celebration every time you sit down for a meal. I never just eat to eat. I wake up and I think, ‘Wow, I get to eat three times today.’ It’s a treat. It’s almost always with someone,” she said. “And my job is a way to feed that. It means eating out in Boulder a lot.”

Her favorite dish to cook: Indian curry. “It takes forever but it tastes like you were plunked down in an Indian kitchen.”

On her role in Boulder’s foodie fame: “It was great timing. It was perfect timing. I started doing something that wasn’t even a job. I would love to think that I helped to make a difference. I was and am genuinely excited about the high-quality stuff that’s going on here.”

On food groups: “We’re seeing all these people getting together over food. It’s an amazing trend. They all really get it.”

On her career: “I’ve been making it up as I go along,” she laughs. “I had never worked in PR when I started. I love food, and I love people who do cool stuff with food.”

{LOCAL STUFF}

Best trail for off-leashing:
Twin Lakes
Gorgeous sunsets and doggy swimming areas.

Best place to socialize pets:
Gunbarrel Park Commons
Low traffic, off leashing, lots of friendly pet owners.

Best local doggy doc:
Gunbarrel Veterinary Hospital
Acupuncture, geriatric care, daycare.

{DETAILS}

Median home cost/gross rent: $375,000/$1,050

Dog parks/hiking areas: 7

Perks: Celestial Seasonings tours (and the smell of tea in the air for miles); mountain and waterfront views from Tom Watson Park; suds at Asher Brewing Co.; bus services from Gunbarrel to Boulder and back; vino from Boulder Creek Winery; Jay Hill Farm and 63rd St. Farm offer the best of what’s grown.

{LOCAL STUFF}

Best family-friendly treat:
The Snow Cap Cafe
You really can’t beat ice cream.

Best place to escape your mom responsibilities:
De Maj
A chic little shop where you can get a not-so-mommy haircut.

Best family dinner:
Colorado Coal Co.
Excellent steaks and burgers.

{DETAILS}

Percentage of family
households in Erie: 79

Student/teacher ratio at
Erie High School: 1 to 20.6

Erie Elementary Mascot:
The Tiggers

Perks: The Arts Coalition of Erie; great access to cycling roads; the view from Erie High School; the Homecoming Parade; the fried pickles at Colorado Coal Company; proximity to Boulder, Denver, DIA and Northern Colorado.

{LOCAL STUFF}

Most historic green
chili rivalry:
Efrain’s vs. Santiago’s
Just a block a way, these two Mexican food hubs impress big crowds with their spicy goods.

Best showing of
historic pride:
Lafayette High School/Pioneer Bilingual Elementary School.
The community protested a potential remodel of this 1925-built school, and
saved it from gentrification in 1991.

Best place to find
historic things:
Noble Treasures
This consignment shop on South Public Road has it all.

{DETAILS}

Year Lafayette and Mary Miller moved to the area: 1871

Year coal was discovered on the Miller Farm: 1884

Year the last coal mine in Lafayette was closed: 1956

Perks: The leather couches at Cannon Mine Coffee Shop; walking on the Coal Creek Trail; Peak to Peak Charter School; the Rueben at Hanna’s; wandering through shops like pARTiculars and Elizabeth’s Embellishments; cocktails at Tutti; Lafayette Peach Festival; the lazy river in the Lafayette Rec Center.

{LOCAL STUFF}

Best place to socialize
first thing in the morning:
Vic’s
It’s like Cheers. But your drink
of choice is an Americano.

Best shop for making your home a social hotspot:
Nest
This décor store is trés chic.

Best nearby destination
for socializing:
Oskar Blues’ Tasty Weasel
This bar/tasting room is just
down the street.

{DETAILS}

The land: Prospect sits on what was once an 80-acre tree farm.

Accolades: 1996’s Governor’s Smart Growth Award.

Number of units at build out: 585

Perks: Your stylist is also your neighbor; ribs at The Rib House; the tastings at Tenacity Wine Shop; finding treasures at Suburban Hill.

{LOCAL STUFF}

Best shop to get lost in:
Boulder Bookstore
Endless hours of adventure, happiness, romance and getting lost.

Best occasional
shopping experience:
Boulder Farmers Market
A beautiful, bountiful explosion
of produce, flowers and more.

Best post shopping splurge:
Manis and pedis at Ten20
A little Sex in the City and 20
shiny pink digits.

{DETAILS}

No. of maps you can find in Art Source International: More than 25,000

Downtown’s most famous residence: The Mork and Mindy house on Pine Street.

Square footage of The Peppercorn: 12,000

Perks: Breakfast at The Kitchen; the Zip Code Guy; cupcakes at Tee & Cakes; walks on the path; cocktail-making classes at The Bitter Bar; shows at the Boulder Theater; the Boulder International Film Festival; sitting at the salumi bar at Frasca; the Taste of Pearl.

{LOCAL STUFF]

Best place to bathe in outdoorsiness:
The Lyons Outdoor Games, each June
Kayaking, biking and a 5K.

Best music option:
Bluegrass
With RockyGrass as a local holiday and Oskar Blues offering weekly grass jams, this is your new soundtrack.

Best indoor activity:
Antiquing
Sure, antiquing may not have the allure of climbing or mountain biking. But how often do you find cool vintage jewelry in the
great outdoors?

{DETAILS}

Population: About 2,000

Number of pinball games at Lyons Classic Pinball: 37

Population increase between 2000 and 2009: 21 percent

Perks: Bouldering at Button Rock; picnicking in the parks along the St. Vrain: flyfishing in the St. Vrain; beer and burgers at Oskar Blues; sunset at Planet Bluegrass.