Landlord Dispute Closes CO's First Pot Club

Skittishness over publicity gets the lease canceled

The first recreational pot den to open in Colorado has already closed its doors, after a dispute with its landlord.

The White Horse Inn, in the tiny southern Colorado town of Del Norte, opened Monday as the first business in the state to offer patrons a chance to have a joint with their cup of joe. But owner Paul Lovato said Tuesday morning it was that early open date that caused problems.

Though Lovato had the keys to the building that housed the White Horse Inn on Monday, his lease on the building didn't start until Tuesday. Lovato said, when his landlord saw the publicity about the club, he canceled the lease before it took effect.