I am a proud Denver native. I grew up here, went to school here, and chose to open my small business in 2016 because I love this city. My father and I built Rusty’s Vape & Smoke Shop together — creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and serving adult customers in the Montbello community for nearly a decade.
But Referendum 310 threatens everything we’ve worked for. Denver small businesses have survived COVID, break-ins, construction, and rising costs — but now our own city is prepared to bankrupt us.
If 310 passes, nearly 100 family- and minority-owned vape and smoke shops could close. Hundreds of convenience stores would lose revenue. Thousands of jobs could disappear. And the sales tax we generate would simply shift to neighboring counties. My 15 employees could be out of work while I remain stuck in a seven-year lease. At a time when Denver already faces a $250 million budget shortfall, this ban would cut another $13 million each year from services like public safety and parks…