Breckenridge legalizes pot

DENVER (AP) - The ski town of Breckenridge has voted overwhelmingly to decriminalize marijuana possession.

Early returns Tuesday night showed the proposal winning with 72 percent of the vote. Breckenridge is poised to clear adults over 21 to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

The measure is largely symbolic, though. Pot possession remains a state crime for people without medical clearance.

"We believe this a signal to the state of Colorado and the nation as a whole," said Sean McAllister, a Breckenridge lawyer who pushed the decriminalization measure. Denver approved a similar decriminalization in 2005.

The Breckenridge vote came as communities nationwide are struggling with how to enforce pot laws at a time when medical marijuana has surged in popularity, especially in Colorado and California.

Elsewhere in Colorado, Denver voters appeared headed toward rejecting a measure that would have forced police to seize cars from people caught driving without a license. Dozens more municipal questions were on ballots.