Marijuana Farms Cropping Up In Colorado's Mountains

GOLDEN, Colo. -- Authorities said they have suspected there may have been drug trafficking in Colorado's forests but said now they have evidence.

Law enforcement seized 14,500 marijuana plants from an illegal marijuana farm located in Pike National Forest Friday. The site was the size of a football field and plants were meticulously planted every three feet and received water from a makeshift irrigation system.

The discovery has officials concerned.

"We’ve thought that we had drug trafficking organizations in the state, we assumed it, now we have that evidence," said U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Michael Skinner.

Skinner said it is hard to quantify and identify these farms because Colorado's lands are so vast totaling 14.5 million acres. Skinner said the U.S. Forest service only has 29 agents and officers assigned to the land which means they are responsible for roughly 500,000 acres each.

Skinner said they received $100,000 from the federal government for training and missions aimed at exposing these operations. He said he hopes the government will continue to provide them funding in light of Friday's investigation.

Skinner said he is worried about the safety of hikers who frequent Colorado's forests. He said a .22-caliber gun was found Friday and these farmers are armed.

"They live in fear they are going to be ripped off," said Skinner.

Skinner said hikers should avoid areas where they see blue tarps, heavy trash and irrigation piping. If you stumble on one of these farms, he said leave immediately and refrain from taking cell photos. Skinner said you should only call police when you are safely back to your car.

"I don't want the public to get involved because they could get hurt -- the possibility is always there," said Skinner.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20571012/detail.html