Keith Morris, Wal-Mart spokesman, tells GlobeSt.com he thinksthe latest vote, which both disappointed and surprised him, wasneither a rejection of that site or part of the increasing move bycitizens to oppose Wal-Marts. "I think it is a result of the heavyhanded tactics of a group of residents," he tells GlobeSt.com."They were threatening the mayor and council with putting a vote onthe ballot and threatening them with recalls."

Morris adds Wal-Mart still wants another store on thefast-growing northern corridor, although he says Thornton--10 milesnorth of Denver--may not get it. The store was projected to create450 jobs and at least $1.5 million annually in tax revenues.

But Joanne Flick, a member of the grassroots Residents Unitedfor Thornton, says that her group isn't anti-Wal-Mart. Rather, shesays it would have opposed any big-box retailer that wanted tobuild a store along the only municipal golf course in Thornton, shesays.