County Commissioners Poised to Close Bordellos

(Montrose Whirled & Post —  February 10, 2015) County Commissioners are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the legality of the more than 40 brothels that pepper this burg. Two of the elected officials are currently maneuvering to shut down the houses of ill repute while one insists that victimless crimes are not her priority.
Varied citizen’s groups have called for the termination of these businesses. Others say leave them be. Still others want to limit the number of bordellos and place a moratorium on new establishments.
The flesh peddlers, however, are keeping a low profile until the episode blows over.
One moderate commissioner told demonstrators in front of the courthouse that he shared their concerns but reminded them that historically the ladies of the evening were quick to donate to charitable causes, served as nurses in medical emergencies and kept cowboys and miners from threatening the social strata with misdeeds and violence.
“I didn’t realize that there were that many brothels within the city limits,” he said. “And people say we have no nightlife here.”
Self-induced moralists, who want all of the houses closed immediately, voiced concern that the sub-culture encourages other unlawful behavior and sets a seedy precedent for future growth in the city.
“We have enough whores building Grand Junctionesque temples all over the damn place. I remember when this was a pleasant little town where everyone got along,” said one bystander. “That’s not true anymore. We have become a village of strangers living at the whim of the next wave of chains and strip malls.”
Bad decisions, it is acknowledged, have sold out the soul of the city, traded it for gold if you will, but the benefits of growth are as questionable as another snort of meth. Just take a peek at South Townsend. It looks like Arvada…a suburb without a city.
“If we allow these houses to continue to operate, the situation will become intolerable,” said Margot Whippett, spokesperson for a coalition of churches and businesses. “Before long we’ll have satellite businesses cropping up in those neighborhoods…more bars…marijuana dispensaries…maybe even a real bookstore. If we ignore this blemish we might even have Democrats holding public office.”
One demonstrator held up a sign that read: “Don’t tell mama I work in the oilfields. She thinks I play the piano at a brothel.” He did not elaborate when questioned by reporters.
The response from the other side of the tracks (sans railroad) was varied.
“You don’t see no hookers out trying to close churches, do you?” asked one elderly woman who has lived in the red light district since 1930. “Besides it’s good for tourism. Everybody coming to Colorado isn’t looking to buy a T-shirt or a bag of weed.” – Kashmir Horseshoe