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Editor's note: This article has been updated to remove a statement that was misreported by The Gazette regarding possible legal challenges to a Colorado Springs zoning ordinance regulating retail marijuana shops. The campaign had been posed questions from The Gazette regarding possible challenges to a retail marijuana charter ban.

Colorado Springs residents appear to have rejected a ballot question that sought to more permanently ban recreational marijuana sales in the city, according to updated election results from the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder's Office Thursday night.

Final unofficial results updated at 8:23 p.m. on Thursday showed the City Council-backed Question 2D, which proposes amending the city charter to prohibit recreational marijuana establishments in Colorado Springs, was failing, 49.4% to 50.6%.

In total, 387,297 ballots have been counted for just under 78% voter turnout, according to clerk's data.

Conversely, the competing resident-backed Question 300, which asks voters to authorize the city's roughly 90 existing medical marijuana shops to also opt into selling retail cannabis products, continued to pass Thursday by a vote of 54.7% to 45.3%.

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Recreational marijuana is currently prohibited in Colorado Springs, but a voter-approved ballot initiative would overturn that ban.

The county clerk released updated results Thursday after counting additional ballots, including some that required extra steps to address issues like missing signatures or identification checks, as well as military and overseas ballots. The eight-day period for addressing these "cured" ballots and counting returned military and overseas ballots ended Wednesday night.

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It was unclear Thursday night exactly how many more ballots were counted, but County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker earlier this week estimated the number was in the hundreds.

The results will be official once the Canvass Board certifies the vote count on Nov. 27, but Thursday's updated results provide a solid idea of how official results stand.

After initial returns were reported on Election Day and throughout much of last week, Question 2D was passing — but the vote flipped Saturday evening after officials finished tabulating ballots cast on Election Day.

Ballot Question 300 has continued to pass in the nine days since the election, by wider margins with every updated vote count.

Colorado Springs Safe Neighbor Coalition was the committee that sponsored and backed the 2D charter ban measure. Coalition spokesman Joel Sorenson said in a statement Friday that he still felt voters were confused by the wording of the other ballot measure and the reason both issues were on the ballot.

“The proponents ran a clever campaign, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a future city council decides to ask the question again, on a ballot where there won’t be competing measures and therefore won’t be any confusion,” Sorenson stated.

If retail sales are officially legalized in Colorado Springs once election results are certified later this month, it is still unknown if a recent city ordinance that seemed to preemptively limit shops' possible operating locations mostly to the city's eastern side will go into effect.

The ordinance prohibits facilities from selling recreational cannabis within one mile of K-12 schools, residential and child care, or drug or alcohol treatment facilities. No medical marijuana shops would be able to sell recreational products at their current locations under this ordinance.

Question 300 proposes less stringent setbacks; it would prohibit recreational marijuana shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools and other facilities.

Colorado Springs officials have not given a clear answer about whether the zoning ordinance will take precedence over the setback requirements in Question 300.

On Thursday, city spokesman Max D'Onofrio again said there is no update from the city at this time.

"As we wait for the election results to be certified, we are closely reviewing the citizen-initiated ordinance and other pertinent city regulations. We do not have a timeline for when this review will be complete, and it would be inappropriate for the city to speculate on outcomes until this review is finished," he said in an email.

City council member Nancy Henjum was one of two on the council, along with Yolanda Avila, who voted against the extended 1-mile zoning barrier in September. She said the City Council had started getting angry emails from voters who were realizing how much the council’s zoning ordinance would limit Proposition 300.

“People voted on something they believed would become reality. How many of those people have any idea about the ordinance that passed? I don’t know but I doubt the majority of them did,” Henjum said.

Previous attempts at ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs had failed, including as recently as 2022. Henjum said the language of Proposition 300 may be a reason it passed, but so could changing demographics for the city or the potential revenue that would come from the industry.

Meghan Graf, a spokesperson for the resident-backed pro campaign Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation, last week called on the city government to honor residents' decision to allow sales if Question 300 is approved.

In an emailed statement Thursday night, she said, "Today is a win for Colorado Springs voters, who chose (recreational) marijuana legalization over an outright ban. This just put it to rest."

Gazette's Brennen Kauffman contributed to this story.

In preparation for next week’s free Thanksgiving meals for Colorado Springs residents in need, turkey talk is happening this week.

Philanthropic drives are underway, encouraging community support to help feed the masses to celebrate the American holiday of giving thanks.

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, the region’s primary supplier of emergency food distributed at 289 area pantries, soup kitchens and other charitable centers, is holding its annual “Take a Turkey to Work Day” on Friday, Nov. 22.

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., staff and volunteers from the organization will collect donations of frozen turkeys at participating King Soopers locations in Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Alamosa.

The drop-off King Soopers stores in Colorado Springs are: 9225 N. Union Blvd., 6030 Stetson Hills Blvd., 815 Cheyenne Meadows Road, 7915 Constitution Ave., and 3250 Centennial Blvd.

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Care and Share’s headquarters at 2605 Preamble Point in Colorado Springs is also accepting contributions of turkeys on Friday. Monetary donations can be made at careandshare.org.

“We believe food is the foundation for creating memories around the table with loved ones, experiencing joy and building hope, and the holiday season is a time to bring people together,” President and CEO Nathan “Nate” Springer said in a statement.

The organization received about 3,500 turkeys during last year’s promotion and is hoping for at least that many this year, according to spokesman Adam Uhernik.

The Salvation Army is preparing to serve 2,500 Thanksgiving Day Community Meals on Thursday, Nov. 28, by issuing a call for donations.

From blight to beauty: Old Colorado Springs motel transformed into transitional housing for homeless tenants

The El Paso County corps of the Christian organization plans to prepare 300 turkeys for its lunchtime feasts, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will be open to the public at several locations across the Pikes Peak region.

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Those include the headquarters at 908 Yuma St.; Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave., in Manitou Springs; Fountain Valley Senior Center, 5745 Southmoor Drive in Fountain; and Woodland Park Nazarene Church, 900 Evergreen Heights Drive in Woodland Park. Clients of the Family Hope Center homeless shelter for families and veterans at 709 S. Sierra Madre St. will also receive complimentary holiday meals.

Non-ambulatory residents can call the organization to arrange delivery in advance at (719) 884-1052.

Monetary donations are accepted at coloradosprings.salvationarmy.org.

Springs Rescue Mission, Colorado Springs’ largest homeless shelter for single men and women, will hold its yearly Thanksgiving Banquet at its campus, 5 W. Las Vegas St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, featuring a traditional holiday meal. It is open to the public.

A hot cocoa bar will be available as diners wait for seating, which will be done in stages. A pop-up winter-wear shop will also be on-site with giveaways of coats, hats, gloves and socks.

Anyone who would like to donate money to provide meals and shelter can go to springsrescuemission.org.

The Marian House, which includes a soup kitchen and employment center, will receive a $10,000 Hunger Grant check from the Safeway Foundation and vendor Mondelez International, the maker of brands including Oreo, Triscuit, Ritz, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop, to support its kitchen and marketplace food pantry.

Clients of the Marian House Marketplace pantry are receiving $50 gift cards for holiday food shopping at Safeway grocery stores. When rounding up purchases at cash registers, Safeway customers make contributions to the company's gift card food initiative called “Nourishing Neighbors.”

The Marian House, 14 W. Bijou St., a program of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, will also serve a traditional holiday meal for the public on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, during its usual daily lunch mealtime, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Financial contributions are accepted at www.ccharitiescc.org. Food donations also are needed.

The holiday season can be a stressful time, and preparing a Thanksgiving dinner can add even more to your plate.

If you want to enjoy a tasty Turkey Day dinner this year— without all the work — this list is for you.

We've rounded up 10 Colorado Springs businesses offering hassle-free Thanksgiving feasts — including traditional turkey dinners and upscale options like prime rib.

Note: Click on the name of each location for more info and to place orders.

Price range: $99.99 - $259.99

This Thanksgiving, Whole Food Market is offering heat-and-serve turkey meals for groups of up to 12 people.

The meal includes sea salt & cracked pepper green beans, creamy mashed russet potatoes, classic holiday herb stuffing, and zesty cranberry orange sauce.

Whole Foods is also offering prime rib meals, salmon meals and vegan meals.

Thanksgiving meals from Whole Foods Market must be ordered by Nov. 26.

Price range: $179.99 - $219.99

Mimi's Bistro and Bakery is offering turkey and ham take-home feasts this Thanksgiving. Choose between herb-buttered turkey and smoked ham with orange glaze. Can't decide between the two? Get both. The meals serve up to 10 people and come with unique sides like cranberry orange relish, carrot raisin nut loaves, and two whole pies.

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Price range: $175 - $375

Marigold is offering three ready-to-cook meal options this year that are sure to please your guests. Choose between either a 5lb or 10lb seasoned prime rib with sides including mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, a garden salad, and accoutrements including horseradish cream sauce and au jus. Another option is the seasoned turkey meal that serves up to 15 people, and comes with all the trimmings, including cranberry sauce.

Price range: $139.99 - $169.99

This year, Tucanos will offer three fully cooked meal to choose from. Have your pick of a whole turkey dinner, or two different turkey breast options. The meals serve between 6 to 8 people and include 3-cheese mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, a whole pumpkin pie and homemade rolls.

Price range: $75.76 - $201.89

Whether you're looking to serve a party of 19 or just the family, The Honey Baked Ham Co. has you covered. Get bone-in or boneless glazed ham, turkey breast or both. Each feast includes four heat-and-serve sides of your choice. Side options include maple sweet potato soufflé, double cheddar macaroni and cheese, loaded smashed potatoes and green bean casserole.

Price range: $110 - $150

For Thanksgiving, the ViewHouse is offering feasts to-go that serve 4 to 6 people. Pick between their slow-roasted prime rib dinner, or the roast turkey dinner. Both meals come with four sides, including rosemary potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing and lots more.

Call (719) 394-4137 to place your order.

Price range: $169.99 - $179.99

Bring the buffet to your home this Thanksgiving with Golden Corral's to-go holiday feasts. Choose between a whole roasted turkey, glazed ham, bone-in pork roast and beef roast meals with traditional fixings and yeast rolls. All meals include one whole pie (pumpkin, pecan, apple or carrot). Must order 72 hours in advance.

Price range: $79.99 - $99.99

Not craving a turkey dinner this year? Safeway if offering fully cooked spiral ham and prime rib meals. Both meals include trimmings such as mashed sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes and King's Hawaiian Rolls. The meals require 2 to 3 hours of reheating.

Price range: $55 - $75

How about a southern-style BBQ dinner for the family? Rudy's BBQ is offering a 3.5-pound smoked turkey breast and 7-pound spiral glazed ham this year. The entrees come cold and include heating instructions. Sides are not included but can be added to orders online.

Price Range: $99

You make the sides and Popeyes will bring the turkey! This year, Popeyes is once again taking online orders for their Cajun-style turkeys. The turkeys, hand-rubbed and infused with a signature blend of Louisiana seasonings, serve 8 to 12 people. Popeyes' turkeys are shipped to your door, making for a convenient and flavorful addition to your holiday meal.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - KRDO13 Investigates has learned that a Colorado Springs pain management clinic, which abruptly closed last week and stranded dozens of residents without notice, has also been served a cease-and-desist letter to stop operations. Documents allege people at the clinic were not actually licensed to practice medicine.

Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) served the cease-and-desist letter on Oct. 22 to Heather Copeland, the owner of Apex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic in eastern Colorado Springs.

The State's Medical Board claims in the letter that they had credible evidence showing Copeland, and those who work within the clinic, "acted without the required license to practice medicine", adding that the individuals at the clinic are not licensed, and have never been licensed, to practice medicine in the State of Colorado.

The order explains that Copeland's clinic offered and provided ketamine and platelet-rich plasma, which constitutes the practice of medicine, in the eyes of the law.

It continues to say that the clinic is registered as a Professional Limited Liability Company with the Colorado Secretary of State, but says that it is not owned by members who are licensed medical providers, adding another violation of state law.

The letter also explains that the clinic does not meet the requirements for a provider network, which requires ownership by a group of licensed healthcare providers, which is another violation.

"My four days without medication, I mean, I would equate that to torture. And I blame the owner for that." said Jon Simmons, a former law enforcement officer who has used Apex for over 3 years to treat pain from a hip replacement and his lower back.

Simmons explained that some frustrations began to rise not long before the clinic's abrupt closure on November 12. He says that a primary care doctor he had scheduled near the end of October was cancelled due to what he was told over the phone was, staff needing to be "re-certified", and as a result the clinic would be closed for a week.

That appointment was then rescheduled for one week later, which was ultimately when a massive snow storm hit southern Colorado, and cancelled the appointment yet again. It left him worried since he needed refills for not only his blood pressure medication and anti-anxiety medication, but also his daughter's depression medication, who also has primary care through the clinic.

"I was already really kind of irritated with them like something was going on. They seem very unprofessional. But yeah... after not from them, but I'm having to find out from other patients that they're just shut down. I mean, I feel betrayed. I mean, they've left me abandoned." said Simmons, after that appointment was re-scheduled for a third time, to November 18, which was six days after the clinic closed without warning.

Only a note was posted on the door at Apex Physical Medicine and Rehab on that Tuesday, Nov. 12. Many patients showed up to the location along North Union Boulevard, from as far as Pueblo and Castle Rock, to even La Junta, just to be turned away. Many patients told KRDO13 Investigates they had gotten reminder messages about their scheduled appointment, despite the building not being open.

Patients say they used Apex for a range of treatments: physical therapy, prescriptions, chiropractors, and even primary care doctors.

KRDO13 Investigates also uncovered that Apex Physical Medicine and Rehab, along with its owner, Heather Copeland, were named in a civil lawsuit in El Paso County Court as of Oct. 31, due to a failure to pay over $56,000 in rent over the course of three months at their previous property along South Carefree Circle.

Copeland will appear in court for a hearing for that lawsuit on Nov. 25.

Patients tell KRDO13 Investigates that the business uprooted from the South Carefree location, and moved into two new properties approximately three months ago, along North Union Boulevard and Jet Stream Drive. Both those buildings are now shuttered.

A real estate sign could be seen posted outside the North Union Boulevard property on Monday evening, showing that the space was available for rent or purchase.

KRDO13 Investigates attempted to reach Copeland by phone and by text on Monday afternoon, however we had not heard back as of 11:00 p.m. She had previously told KRDO13 Investigates over the phone on Nov. 14 that she 'didn't have anything to do' with the situation at hand, and that it would be handled in court.

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