Marijuana License

Paper stamped with the word license and stamp.

Overview

The City of Fort Collins manages marijuana businesses through a collaborative approach involving multiple departments. This page provides an overview of marijuana laws, licensing requirements and regulations for both medical and retail marijuana businesses in Fort Collins.

It is illegal to use marijuana in public. It is illegal to drive high. You must be 21 or older to have or use retail marijuana.

Marijuana Business Licensing

The City of Fort Collins uses a team approach to manage marijuana. This brings together multiple City departments to develop and enforce rules and educate businesses, consumers and the general public. Below is an overview of marijuana laws in Fort Collins. Each person must understand and follow the law. Nothing here offers medical advice about health and safety risks of marijuana use or legal advice on following laws.

Any business involving marijuana in Fort Collins requires a license or permit. There are several different types of medical and retail marijuana business licenses. Each type has different privileges, requirements and rules. Businesses that do not follow the rules could be fined, face disciplinary action or lose their license.

The licensing structure is a dual-licensing system. A business must have a State business license and a local license to operate.

Notice: Residents are always welcome to contact City Council at CityLeaders@fortcollins.gov with suggestions.

The City of Fort Collins works with the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) on marijuana business licenses. Each owner must complete an application (finding the suitability of a natural person) with MED and local authority.

Before you apply for a marijuana business license, check to make sure the City of Fort Collins accepts license applications that you want.

Medical and Retail Marijuana Applications

If you have more questions about City of Fort Collins marijuana licensing, contact the Clerk's Office at MarijuanaLicensing@fortcollins.gov.

The City of Fort Collins has adopted rules prohibiting THC extractions with flammable materials from anyone other than a licensed marijuana business.

Read Fort Collins Law

Medical Marijuana

In Fort Collins, there are limits on medical marijuana licenses:

  • There may only be one licensed medical marijuana store for every 500 registered patients in Larimer County. This limit does not apply to businesses that received a local license to operate before Nov. 1, 2011.
  • The number of licenses in Fort Collins currently exceeds the license cap and no new applications for medical marijuana stores are being accepted.
  • There is no limit on the number of medical marijuana product manufacturer licenses in Fort Collins.
  • Licenses for medical marijuana cultivation facilities supplying marijuana to licensed medical stores (under the same ownership) anywhere in Colorado are being accepted.
  • Social Equity Applicants: Must FIRST submit a finding of suitability application with MED. Do not submit any regulated marijuana business license application (including for an Accelerator License) until you have been found suitable as a Social Equity Licensee. Social Equity Licensees receive a fee reduction.

View Application Forms

Medical Marijuana Store Location Criteria

These location criteria do not apply to cultivation facilities or marijuana product manufacturer facilities.

Under Section 15-475 of the City Code, a medical marijuana store cannot be located:

  • Within 1,000 feet of any private or public preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational or trade school, college or university
  • Within 1,000 feet of any public playground
  • Within 500 feet of any child care center, place of worship or religious assembly, public park, pool or recreation facility, or juvenile or adult halfway house, correctional facility or substance abuse rehabilitation or treatment center
  • Within the boundaries of any R-U-L, U-E, R-F, R-L, L-M-N, M-M-N, O-T-A, O-T-B, O-T-C or H-M-N residential zone district
  • In a residential unit, except as permitted under Section 4.3.1(G) of the Land Use Code

The distances above are measured in a straight line from the nearest property line of the parcel where the protected use is located to the nearest portion of the building or unit where the medical marijuana center is located.

The location criteria above do not apply to a medical marijuana store that held a license prior to Nov. 1, 2011 and was reopened on the same parcel it was licensed to operate on prior to Nov. 1, 2011.

Zoning Requirements

Each licensed Regulated Marijuana Business must be in the proper zone within the City of Fort Collins. Please check the map to ensure the marijuana license type is in the correct zone. If you have the correct zone, please also reach out to zoning/building to ensure the property and building has the proper "use" to allow marijuana.

Download Printable Marijuana Zoning Map(PDF, 871KB)

This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. 

Interactive Zoning Map

Active/Approved Medical Marijuana Licenses

  • Medical Marijuana Stores: 11
  • Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facilities: 4
  • Medical Marijuana Products Manufacturer: 2
  • Medical Marijuana Testing Facilities: 0
  • Medical Marijuana Business Operators: 0
  • Marijuana Research and Development Facilities: 0
  • Social Equity Licensee: 0

State Laws and Regulations

Local Laws and Rules/Regulations

Retail Marijuana

In Fort Collins, there are limits on who may apply for retail marijuana licenses:

  • Only existing medical marijuana businesses (stores) in Fort Collins may apply for retail marijuana store licenses.
  • A retail marijuana store license is only obtained through a transfer of ownership due to the license cap.
  • The only persons who can apply for a retail marijuana cultivation license are those who have a retail marijuana store license or a retail marijuana products manufacturing license in Fort Collins (not elsewhere in Colorado).
  • Anyone may apply for a retail marijuana product manufacturing license and may have an associated cultivation facility to supply the manufacturing facility.
  • Anyone may apply for a retail marijuana testing facility license.
  • Social Equity Applicants: Must FIRST submit a finding of suitability application with MED. Do not submit any regulated marijuana business license application (including for an Accelerator License) until you have been found suitable as a Social Equity Licensee. Social Equity Licensees receive a fee reduction.

Active/Approved Retail Marijuana Licenses

  • Retail Marijuana Stores: 11
  • Retail Marijuana Cultivations: 7
  • Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturing Facilities: 5
  • Retail Marijuana Testing Facilities: 0
  • Retail Marijuana Business Operators: 0
  • Social Equity Licensee: 0

Application Process

Under State Law, all applicants for a retail marijuana license must first apply to the State Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). The MED will forward a copy of the application along with one-half of the application fee to the City of Fort Collins. Upon receipt, the City will review the application materials and contact the applicant to request additional materials as needed. In Fort Collins, the only new retail marijuana license applications being accepted (from someone other than a person already licensed as a medical marijuana store) are for marijuana products manufacturing facilities and cultivation facilities to supply marijuana to the products manufacturing facility.

View Application Forms

The City Clerk's Office requests all license applications be submitted via a secure link through email. Files must be submitted as PDFs. You must request the secure link by emailing MarijuanaLicensing@fortcollins.gov.

Retail Marijuana Store Location Criteria

These location criteria DO NOT apply to cultivation facilities or marijuana product manufacturing facilities.

Under Section 15-615 of the City Code, a retail marijuana store cannot be located:

  • Within 1,000 feet of any private or public preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational or trade school, college or university
  • Within 1,000 feet of any public playground
  • Within 500 feet of any child care center, place of worship or religious assembly, public park, pool or recreation facility, or juvenile or adult halfway house, correctional facility or substance abuse rehabilitation or treatment center
  • Within the boundaries of any R-U-L, U-E, R-F, R-L, L-M-N, M-M-N, O-T-A, O-T-B, O-T-C or H-M-N residential zone district
  • In a residential unit, except as permitted under Section 4.3.1(G) of the Land Use Code
  • Within 500 feet of a residential unit
  • Within 1,000 feet of another medical marijuana or retail marijuana store

The distances above are measured in a straight line from the nearest property line of the parcel where the protected use is located to the nearest portion of the building or unit where the proposed retail marijuana store would be located.

The location criteria above does not apply to a retail marijuana store that will be located on premises for which a medical marijuana center license has been issued as of March 28, 2014 or for which a medical marijuana center license application was pending as of March 28, 2014.

A previously licensed medical marijuana center that seeks to change locations and that applies for and receives a retail marijuana store license is subject to the location requirements above.

Zoning Requirements

Each licensed Regulated Marijuana Business must be in the proper zone within the City of Fort Collins. Please check the map to ensure the marijuana license type is in the correct zone. If you have the correct zone, please also reach out to zoning/building to ensure the property and building has the proper "use" to allow marijuana.

Download Printable Marijuana Zoning Map(PDF, 871KB)

This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. 

View Interactive Zoning Map

State Laws and Regulations

Local Laws and Rules/Regulations

View Building Services Information

View Zoning Webpage

     

Growing Marijuana for Personal Use

In Fort Collins, community members may grow their own marijuana for medical or recreational uses, subject to the following limits:

  • Marijuana cannot be grown openly or publicly.
  • Marijuana cannot be grown in detached outbuildings (sheds, greenhouses, etc.)
  • No more than 12 plants of any size, or six mature plants, can be grown or kept within, or on the same legal parcel as, any single-family dwelling.
  • Marijuana cannot be grown in a two-family (e.g., a duplex), multi-family (e.g., apartment building) or single-family attached dwelling (e.g., a townhome sharing a common wall with another unit).
  • All marijuana must be grown and kept in a locked and enclosed space.
  • Home-grown marijuana, no matter the form, may not be sold to others.
  • Marijuana cannot be grown outdoors in the City of Fort Collins. Marijuana plants must be kept in an enclosed, locked structure with a permanent roof and solid exterior walls.

See Chapter 12, Article IX of the City Code for all of the local regulations relating to the cultivation of marijuana for personal use.

Hemp and Industrial Hemp

Industrial Hemp means a plant of the genus Cannabis and any part of the plant, whether growing or not, containing a THC concentration of no more than (0.3%) on a dry weight basis.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture regulates only the cultivation of industrial hemp.

Municipal Code Regarding Hemp Cultivation and Extraction

  • Hemp Cultivation: Sec 12-222
  • Hemp Extraction: Sec 12-223: Use of inherently hazardous substances, alcohol, including ethanol for hemp extractions is prohibited.
  • It is unlawful for any person to knowingly use inherently hazardous substances, or alcohol, including ethanol, in the extraction of THC or other cannabinoids from hemp within any dwelling in the City. 

Additional Resources

Staff Limitations

City staff cannot:

  • Provide any legal advice, including whether or not a business model may or may not work in Fort Collins. Please read the state and local laws and consult your own attorney.
  • Make recommendations regarding the purchase of marijuana from particular businesses.
  • Direct you to owners that may be interested in selling their business(es).

Complaints

Complaints regarding licensed marijuana businesses, cultivation of marijuana in commercial or residential areas, marijuana odors coming from licensed businesses or any other marijuana-related issues may be submitted in writing using the fillable pdf form below or sent to MarijuanaEnforcement@fortcollins.gov or 970-416-2949.

This document is provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading this document, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254. 

Upcoming Events

Meeting of the Regulated Marijuana Licensing Authority

If necessary, the Marijuana Licensing Authority will meet at Municipal Court at 215 N. Mason St. to consider the matter on the agenda shown below.

If no agenda is shown, there is no meeting scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

This information is for guidance only. Please consult an attorney for legal advice.

Sales Tax Information

The City of Fort Collins requires all persons engaged in business in the City to obtain a business license. The business license is also your sales and use tax license.

View Sales Tax Information

The City of Fort Collins does not have an additional excise tax on marijuana.

View Information About State Taxes on Marijuana

Licensing Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply for a retail marijuana store license?
Only licensed Fort Collins medical marijuana stores, which are in good standing, are allowed to apply for a retail marijuana store license. Please refer to Sec 15-608 of the Municipal Code.

Who is eligible to apply for a retail marijuana cultivation license?
Only a licensed retail marijuana store or licensed retail marijuana manufacturing facility may be licensed to operate a cultivation facility. Cultivation facilities may only sell or distribute marijuana to the facilities owned and operated by the owner of the cultivation facility. All products must be tested and labeled. Please refer to Sec 15-609 of the Municipal Code.

Who is eligible to apply for a retail marijuana product manufacturing license?
 Any person who meets the owner/application requirements may apply for a retail marijuana product manufacturing license in the City of Fort Collins. All production batches must be tested and labeled prior to sale. Please refer to Sec 15-610 of the Municipal Code.

Home Growing

Can I legally grow marijuana at home?

Adults 21 years of age and older may grow up to six marijuana plants per person. No more than 12 total plants are allowed per residence regardless of the number of adults living in the home. All plants and products must be kept in an enclosed, locked space.

No growing is allowed in any multifamily housing including apartments, duplexes, condos or townhomes. Growing is not allowed in any detached buildings (sheds, barns, etc.)

Can I grow marijuana outside?

No. No outdoor cultivation is allowed.

Can I sell the marijuana I grow at home?

No. Home grown marijuana, no matter the form, may not be sold to others.

Business and Private Property Owners

Can individual property owners restrict or prohibit marijuana use or possession on their property?

Yes. Any property owner may limit marijuana use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, sale or growth of marijuana on or in his or her property.

Can employers restrict or prohibit marijuana use or possession by employees at the workplace?

Yes. Employers are allowed to regulate or prohibit the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display or sale of marijuana in the workplace. Employers may also enact policies restricting the use of marijuana by employees.

Does marijuana smoke fall under provisions of the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act?

Yes. The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking in restaurants and limits the number of hotel or motel rooms in which smoking is permitted. A hotel or motel wishing to permit marijuana smoke in individual rooms would need to keep 75% of the rooms smoke-free.

Hotel operators cannot allow smoking inside hotel rooms pursuant to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act.

Residents and Visitors

How is marijuana smoke treated differently from tobacco smoke in terms of where it is permitted?

Both marijuana and tobacco smoke are subject to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in most indoor places accessible to the public.

It is illegal to consume marijuana in public, including marijuana edibles.

What should I do if I see illegal use of marijuana?

Call the Police Services non-emergency line at 970-221-6540.

Penalties range from a fine to a possible jail or prison sentence depending on the type of offense. The city Municipal Code spells out the specific penalties for various violations. Schools, universities and employers are allowed to put in place their own disciplinary actions for marijuana-related infractions.

What is the difference between medical and retail marijuana?

Retail: Retail marijuana is sold by licensed stores to persons 21 and older for recreational use.

Medical: Medical marijuana requires a state red card (patient card), which can only be obtained by Colorado residents from the CO Department of Health and Environment, with a recommendation from a doctor that a patient suffers from a debilitating medical condition that may benefit from medical marijuana. Medical marijuana patients can obtain marijuana from a licensed store, a primary caregiver or a private home grower.

Medical Marijuana Patient Card Info

How old do I have to be to purchase, possess or consume medical and retail marijuana?

You must be 21 and older to buy, possess or use retail marijuana. It is illegal to give or sell retail marijuana to minors. Adults 21 and older may possess up to two ounces of retail marijuana.

Medical marijuana patients may possess up to two ounces of medical marijuana.

Where can I purchase marijuana?

Those 21 and older can purchase medical and retail marijuana at licensed stores.

Medical marijuana patients can purchase up to two ounces of medical marijuana. To purchase medical marijuana, a person must obtain a medical marijuana registry identification card from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Adults 21 and older can purchase up to one ounce of retail marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Patient Card Info

Where am I allowed to consume marijuana?

Retail marijuana is intended for private, personal use. Such use is only legal in certain locations not open or accessible to the public. Marijuana may not be consumed openly or publicly. This includes, but is not limited to, indoor spaces such as the common areas of buildings and facilities, hotel rooms, businesses that are not licensed for marijuana consumption, streets and highways, transportation facilities, places of amusement, parks and playgrounds.

You may consume marijuana in a private residence (only if allowed by the property owners).

Can I consume marijuana in public?

No, it is illegal to consume marijuana in public.

This includes but is not limited to areas accessible to the public such as transportation facilities, schools, amusement/sporting/music venues, parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and roads and outdoor and rooftop cafes. It is also illegal to smoke at indoor-but-public locations like bars, restaurants and common areas in buildings.

Can I possess marijuana? How much?

Adults 21 and older may possess up to two ounces of retail marijuana. Medical marijuana patients may possess up to two ounces of medical marijuana.

How much retail marijuana can I purchase at one time?

Adults 21 and older can purchase up to one ounce of retail marijuana. A single transaction includes multiple sales to the same customer during a single business day.

Medical marijuana patients can purchase up to two ounces of medical marijuana. Refer to Sec 15-482 (2) Prohibited Acts of the Medical Marijuana Code.

Can I consume marijuana in a licensed retail store?

No, it is illegal to consume marijuana in or around a licensed store. It is also illegal to smoke at indoor-but-public locations such as bars, restaurants and common areas in buildings.

Are marijuana "social clubs" or "coffee shops" permitted?

No. These businesses are not permitted.

Are the rules different for possession and consumption of edible marijuana than for marijuana that can be smoked?

No. Possession laws are the same for all retail marijuana types and public consumption is always illegal, regardless of form.

Can I have marijuana in my car?

Yes. Marijuana may be carried in cars but it may not be in an open container and cannot cross state boundaries. It is illegal to use or consume marijuana in a motor vehicle and it is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana.

Is there a DUI-like equivalent for driving under the influence of marijuana?

Yes. Driving under the influence of marijuana can result in a DUI, just like alcohol. Anyone with 5 nanograms or more of delta 9 THC per milliliter in whole blood while driving can be arrested for DUI. Consequences for a DUI can include fines, jail time and a revoked license.

Contact Us

Email

MarijuanaLicensing@fortcollins.gov

Phone

970-221-6515

Hours

Monday-Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Physical Address

300 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521

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