Denver is currently issuing five types of retail marijuana licenses:
Applications are accepted Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm.
Please bring your completed application package and all required documents when you come to Denver Excise & Licenses. Our staff can answer your questions about licensing processes, but cannot provide legal or business advice. An overview of the licensing process as well as required fees and forms can be found below.
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Notice: On May 1, 2016 a new ordinance took effect that prohibits Denver Excise and Licenses from accepting new applications for retail marijuana stores and retail marijuana cultivation facilities that would result in the creation of new storefront or cultivation locations. Applications for these license types at new locations will be accepted in the future via a lottery process. For more information, please review the laws outlined in Council Bill 16-0291 and the Denver Revised Municipal Code.
Businesses that would like to obtain a new retail marijuana business license must follow these steps:
Step 1: Submit a completed state application form along with all supporting documents and application fees to the State of Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division.
Step 2: The state Marijuana Enforcement Division will send a copy of the application and the required application fees to Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses.
Step 3: Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses will review the state application to determine whether you are eligible to apply for a retail marijuana license in Denver. The eligibility review does not have any bearing on whether a business will ultimately be granted a license. The applicant will either receive a letter from the department rejecting the state application, or the applicant will be notified that they may come in to Excise and Licenses to submit an application for a local license.
Step 4: At this point, applicants who have not been rejected should submit a completed Retail Marijuana Establishment New License Application form along with all supporting documents and payment for the license fee to Denver Excise and Licenses.
Step 5: The department will review the application and all supplemental documents. It is the goal to have reviews complete within 30 days of receipt of complete application, however given the large volume of applications and changes in regulations, the application review process may extend beyond such timeframe. If 30 days have passed and you would like to check on the status of your application review, please contact CAOExciseandLicense@denvergov.org
Step 6: Retail Marijuana Stores will have a public needs and desires hearing coordinated by Denver Excise and Licenses.
Step 7: After any hearing requirements are met, the business will be issued an inspection notice that explains how to schedule applicable inspections. Please refer to the section below titled "Inspection Process" for more details.
Step 8: Once you have completed the required local inspections, e-mail exlapplications@denvergov.org a copy of your approved state license, along with a request to issue your local license. Please include the BFN Record ID in this e-mail. The city will then e-mail you a copy of the local license.
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Businesses will need to submit their Denver application fees to the state Marijuana Enforcement Division along with their state application. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance".
Please refer to the Marijuana Enforcement Division's Fee Schedule to determine the applicable applications fee.
Once the applicant receives approval from Denver Excise and Licenses to submit a city application, an additional $5,000 licensing fee will need to be paid. This fee must be paid at the time of city application submittal. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
Application fees are non-refundable. If an applicant does not successfully obtain a license, they may request a refund of the license fee by e-mailing a completed Refund Request Form to exlapplications@denvergov.org
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Retail Marijuana Establishment New License Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents are:
Required Documents
Floor Plan Requirements
Provide a floor plan, or multiple floor plans, drawn to scale on a standard 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. It is preferred and strongly recommended that you submit plans that have been prepared digitally or plans prepared by a design professional. Separate floors must be shown on separate pieces of paper and clearly identified (i.e. Basement, First Floor, etc.) Your floor plan must be complete and accurate. The submission must include:
If you choose to submit multiple floor plans to satisfy all of the requirements outlined above, the physical layout and room uses must be identical for each floor plan showing the same section of the premises.
Definitions
Proposed facility locations must comply with the restrictions laid out in the Denver Zoning Code, the Former Chapter 59 Zoning Code, and the Denver Revised Municipal Code.
The Marijuana Facility Location Guide has been put together to assist applicants in choosing an acceptable location.
The map at the bottom of this webpage displays active medical marijuana center and retail marijuana store licenses.
A list of pending marijuana applications can be found on the Denver Open Data Catalog.
A list of proposed locations for pending medical marijuana center and retail marijuana store transfer of locations can be obtained by e-mailing marijuanainfo@denvergov.org
A list of active Denver child care facility licenses can be found on the Denver Open Data Catalog.
A list of all licensed childcare facilities in Colorado, including preschools, can be found on the Colorado Office of Early Education website under Licensed Facility List.
Additionally, you can find the zone districts surrounding a proposed location using this map.
Please Note – The criteria for successfully completing a transfer of location have recently changed with the passage of Council Bill 16-0291. We strongly recommend that you seek legal council to ensure compliance with the law.
Upon submission of a completed application for a new retail marijuana business license, an inspection card will be issued that describes how to schedule inspections for all applicable agencies. Excise and Licenses will receive electronic proof from each of the inspecting agencies as the inspections are completed and approved. All five inspecting agencies must submit proof of successful inspection completion to Excise and Licenses before any license will be issued.
We recommend that you enlist the services of a professional to develop plans for the building, zoning, public health, and fire prevention elements of your building.
The following city agencies sign off on all marijuana business inspection cards:
Community Planning & Development: Building Inspections Division
Community Planning & Development: Zoning Division
Public Health & Environment: Public Health Inspections Division (Signature Required for Stores, MIPs, Testing Facilities, Transporters, and Off-Premises Storage Locations Only)
Public Health & Environment: Environmental Quality (Signature Required for Cultivation Facilities Only)
Excise and Licenses
Fire Prevention
A brief guide including multi-agency common marijuana business inspection requirements can be found here.
Denver marijuana business licenses are valid for one year. Businesses are required to renew a license within 60 days before its expiration date.
To renew a Marijuana Business License, follow these steps:
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Please Note - Retail Marijuana businesses are required to renew their state- issued licenses on an annual basis, with the exception of transporters, who review every two years at the state.
Upon submission of a renewal application for a retail marijuana business license, applicants will be required to pay a $5,000 annual license fee. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Marijuana License Renewal Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents are:
Required Documents
Businesses are allowed to renew their license up to 90 days after its expiration date. They will have to pay late fees as determined by the Denver Revised Municipal Code. Additionally,the following law found in Chapter 6 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code applies:
Except where the director has received a complete renewal application along with the requisite fees, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, distribute, transfer, transport, or otherwise remove marijuana or marijuana products from the premises of a licensed retail marijuana establishment after the expiration date recorded upon the face of any local license issued pursuant to this article V for that location.
The Director of Denver Excise and Licenses may schedule a renewal hearing for a cultivation (grow) license located in a zone district where plant husbandry is no longer a permitted use. You may find a list of cultivation facilities located in a zone district where plant husbandry is no longer a permitted use by e-mailing marijuanainfo@denvergov.org.
Parties of interest that may request such a hearing are:
The ‘neighborhood under consideration’ is defined as follows:
The Department may modify a Designated Area to avoid cutting through blocks, residences, or businesses. Any party in interest may also request the Director to modify an established Designated Area.
In order to submit a request for a renewal hearing, a party of interest must gather at least ten valid signatures of parties in interest using forms supplied by the Department. Please e-mail EXLApplications@denvergov.org for these forms. The party in interest must present the petition to the Department within ninety days of the licensee’s renewal date. Any Licensee who is required to attend a public hearing must post notice of hearing on the licensed premises for a period of at least ten days prior to the hearing. At the public hearing, the incumbent licensee and any other interested party shall be entitled to speak and present evidence supporting or opposing renewal of the license. The optional premises cultivation license shall be eligible for renewal in its current compliant or nonconforming location unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing that:
As of November 1, 2019, Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses is changing its process for accepting Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Applications.
This change is being made to align with Colorado House Bill 19-1090 and the state Marijuana Enforcement Division's rules for collecting ownership information for marijuana businesses.
New Process
As of November 1, 2019, if you are required to submit a state Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application form DR 8535, you will be required to submit a Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application.
Below is the new process.
Step 1: Determine whether you are required to submit a state Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application (form DR 8535). If you are unsure, please visit the state Marijuana Enforcement Division's website. The state Marijuana Enforcement Division will be issuing guidance and other resources on its website as part of its implementation of HB19-1090.
Step 2: If required, submit the Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application to the state.
Step 3: The state will send a copy of your Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application to Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses.
Step 4: When the Department of Excise and Licenses receives your state Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application, the department will contact you to ask you to submit a Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application.
Step 5: You will submit the Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application and pay the required fees. Please note: The Marijuana Enforcement Division investigator who processes your Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application may request a date-stamped copy of your Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application. This will be proof of conditional local approval, so please keep this for your records.
Step 6: E-mail exlapplications@denvergov.org proof that the state has found any new Controlling Beneficial Owner(s) suitable for ownership. Include in your email a request to close out your local Transfer of Ownership application and the Amendment Record ID(s) associated with the Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application. The city will then update your file to reflect the new ownership information.
Please note: If a change of ownership does not require you to submit a state Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application, you are not required to submit a Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application. Upon renewal of your marijuana license, you will be required to submit information for owners who hold 10% or more interest in the license. If you are removing an owner and/or reallocating ownership, disclose the information on renewal.
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Upon submission of a Transfer of Ownership application, applicants will be required to pay a $100 fee per license. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Marijuana License Transfer of Ownership Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents are:
Required Documents
Additional Required Documents
The following documents are only required if the licensee's entity name or corporate structure type changes as a result of this transaction.
Anytime a marijuana business wishes to change the location of their establishment they must file for a Transfer of Location with Denver Excise and Licenses.
To file a Transfer of Location for a retail marijuana business, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Submit a completed Marijuana License Transfer of Location form along with all supporting documents and application fees to Denver Excise and Licenses.
Step 2: The Department will review the application and all supplemental documents. It is the goal to have reviews complete within 30 days of receipt of complete application, however given the large volume of applications and changes in regulations, the application review process may extend beyond such time frame. If 30 days have passed and you would like to check on the status of your application review, please contact EXLapplications@denvergov.org
Step 3: Retail Marijuana Stores will have a public needs and desires hearing coordinated by Denver Excise & Licenses.
Step 4: After any hearing requirements are met, the MED will be notified that they may accept a corresponding change of location application. Simultaneously, businesses will be issued an inspection notice that explains how to schedule applicable inspections. Please refer to the section below titled "Inspection Process" for more details.
Step 5: Once you have completed the required local inspections, e-mail exlapplications@denvergov.org proof of state approval for the Change of Location, along with a request to close our your local Transfer of Location application. Please include the Amendment Record ID(s) in this e-mail. The city will then complete the local application and e-mail you a copy of the new license.
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Upon submission of a Transfer of Location application, applicants will be required to pay a $750 fee per license. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Marijuana License Transfer of Location Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents for the new premises are:
Required Documents
Floor Plan Requirements
Provide a floor plan, or multiple floor plans, drawn to scale on a standard 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. It is preferred and strongly recommended that you submit plans that have been prepared digitally or plans prepared by a design professional. Separate floors must be shown on separate pieces of paper and clearly identified (i.e. Basement, First Floor, etc.) Your floor plan must be complete and accurate. The submission must include:
If you choose to submit multiple floor plans to satisfy all of the requirements outlined above, the physical layout and room uses must be identical for each floor plan showing the same section of the premises.
Definitions
Proposed facility locations must comply with the restrictions laid out in the Denver Zoning Code, the Former Chapter 59 Zoning Code, and the Denver Revised Municipal Code.
The Marijuana Facility Location Guide has been put together to assist applicants in choosing an acceptable location.
The map at the bottom of this web page displays active medical marijuana center and retail marijuana store licenses.
A list of pending marijuana applications can be found on the Denver Open Data Catalog.
A list of proposed locations for pending medical marijuana center and retail marijuana store transfer of locations can be obtained by e-mailing marijuanainfo@denvergov.org
A list of active Denver child care facility licenses can be found on the Denver Open Data Catalog.
A list of all licensed childcare facilities in Colorado, including preschools, can be found on the Colorado Office of Early Education website under Licensed Facility List.
Additionally, you can find the zone districts surrounding a proposed location using this map.
Once an application successfully passes the quality control review, an inspection card will be issued that describes how to schedule inspections for all applicable agencies. Excise and Licenses will receive electronic proof from each of the inspecting agencies as the inspections are completed and approved. All five inspecting agencies must submit proof of successful inspection completion to Excise and Licenses before any license will be issued.
We recommend that you enlist the services of a professional to develop plans for the building, zoning, public health, and fire prevention elements of your building.
The following city agencies sign off on all marijuana business inspection cards:
Community Planning & Development: Building Inspections Division
Community Planning & Development: Zoning Division
Public Health & Environment: Public Health Inspections Division (Signature Required for Stores, MIPs, Testing, Transporter, and Off-Premises Storage Facilities)
Public Health & Environment: Environmental Quality (Signature Required for Cultivation Facilities Only)
Excise and Licenses
Fire Prevention
A brief guide including multi-agency common marijuana business inspection requirements can be found here.
A Modification of Premises is required when any of the following occurs:
If you are simply updating your security plan to add or remove cameras, please e-mail a completed Request to Amend Floor Plan application to EXLApplications@denvergov.org.
Anytime a marijuana business wishes to modify their premises they must file for a Modification of Premises with Denver Excise & Licenses.
To file for a Modification of Premises, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete a Marijuana License Modification of Premises Application form along with all supporting documents and application fees to Denver Excise and Licenses.
Step 2: The Department will review the application and all supplemental documents for completeness. It is the goal of the Department to have reviews complete within 30 days of receipt of complete application, however, the application review process may extend beyond such timeframe.
Step 3: Once the quality control review is complete, the MED will be notified that they may accept a corresponding modification of premises application. Simultaneously, the business will be issued an inspection notice that explains how to schedule applicable inspections. Please refer to the section below titled "Inspection Process" for more details.
Step 4: Once you have completed the required local inspections, e-mail exlapplications@denvergov.org proof of state approval for the Modification of Premises, along with a request to close out your local application. Please include the Amendment Record ID(s) in this e-mail. They city will then update your file to reflect the new floor plan and the completion of the modification of premises application.
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Upon submission of a modification of premises application, applicants will be required to pay a $150 fee per license. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Marijuana License Modification of Premises Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents are:
Required Documents
Floor Plan Requirements
Provide a floor plan, or multiple floor plans, drawn to scale on a standard 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. It is preferred and strongly recommended that you submit plans that have been prepared digitally or plans prepared by a design professional. Separate floors must be shown on separate pieces of paper and clearly identified (i.e. Basement, First Floor, etc.) Your floor plan must be complete and accurate. The submission must include:
If you choose to submit multiple floor plans to satisfy all of the requirements outlined above, the physical layout and room uses must be identical for each floor plan showing the same section of the premises.
Definitions
Once a Modification of Premises application successfully passes the quality control review, an inspection card will be issued that describes how to schedule inspections for all applicable agencies. We recommend that you enlist the services of a professional to develop plans for the building, zoning, public health, and fire prevention elements of your building.
Excise and Licenses will receive electronic proof from each of the inspecting agencies as the inspections are completed and approved.
All inspecting agencies must submit proof of successful inspection completion to Excise and Licenses before any license will be issued.
As of September 12, 2019, Marijuana License Modification of Premises Applications will only require a Zoning and Neighborhood Inspection review for one of the following reasons:
With the exception of the Zoning Division (which is only required for the reasons outlined above), the following inspections are required for all Modification of Premises applications:
Community Planning & Development: Zoning Division
Community Planning & Development: Building Inspections Division
Fire Prevention
Public Health & Environment: Public Health Inspections Division (Inspection required for only centers, MIP manufacturers, testing, transporter, and off-premises storage facilities)
Public Health & Environment: Environmental Quality (Inspection required for only cultivation facilities and MIP manufacturers)
Excise and Licenses
A brief guide including multi-agency common marijuana business inspection requirements can be found here.
Businesses that currently hold a valid Denver license for retail store, retail cultivation, retail infused products manufacturer, or that hold a valid retail transporter license anywhere in the state, may apply for a retail marijuana off-premises storage license.
Off-premises storage permits allow for the storage of finished products only. No sales, cultivation, manufacturing, processing, testing, consuming, repacking, or opening of sealed containers may occur at these locations.
Off-premises storage locations must comply with the same safety, security, and inspection requirements as all other licensed marijuana establishments.
For those interested in obtaining a new off-premises storage license, or in managing an existing license, please use the following applications:
Off-Premises Storage New License Application
Off-Premises Storage Renewal License Application
Off-Premises Storage License Transfer of Location Application
Off-Premises Storage License Transfer of Ownership Application
Off-Premises Storage License Modification of Premises Application
Off-Premises Storage License Corporate Struture Change Application
A Marijuana License Corporate Structure Change Application must be filed when a marijuana business wants to:
Please note: As of November 1, 2019, if you are required to submit a Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application with the state's Marijuana Enforcement Division, you will be required to submit a Denver Marijuana Transfer of Ownership Application. This may be in lieu of a Corporate Structure Change application.
To file for a Corporate Structure Change, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete a Marijuana License Corporate Structure Change Application.
Step 2: Bring the completed application along with all supporting documents and the required fees to Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses.
Step 3: E-mail exlapplications@denvergov.org a copy of the corresponding State License reflecting the new entity name or corporate structure type along with a request to complete the corporate structure change application. Please include the Amendment Record ID(s) in this e-mail. The city will then complete the local application and e-mail you a copy of the new license.
All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
Upon submission of a corporate structure change application, applicants will be required to pay a $100 fee per license. Checks should be made payable to the "Manager of Finance". The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
In addition to the required fees, applicants will need to submit a completed Marijuana License Corporate Structure Change Application, along with all required supporting documents. The required supporting documents are:
Required Documents
For All Transactions
A marijuana business may decide to surrender its license at any time. In order to complete this process, please follow the steps below.
Please Note – When a city license is surrendered, the corresponding state license should also be surrendered with the State’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.
A marijuana business may decide to withdrawn an application at any time. In order to complete this process, please follow the steps below.
Please Note – When a city application is withdrawn, the corresponding state application should also be withdrawn with the State’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.
All license applications expire if not completed within one year. A marijuana business may request an extension of an application within 30 days prior to its expiration date. In order to complete this process, please follow the steps below.
Any applicant whose application has been denied without a hearing is entitled to a hearing upon written request to the Director of the Department of Excise and Licenses (the “Department”), and completion of certain requirements. To be eligible for a hearing, the applicant must not have had a hearing previously, and must complete the following steps within ten (10) days of the mailing date of the Denial Order.
This map displays both licensed medical and retail marijuana stores in the City and County of Denver.