The U.S. state of Colorado has been among the vanguard of states in the U.S. which have legalized the use of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
In this document, we’ll provide some basic information on how to get a marijuana business license in Colorado as well as a comprehensive list of links to forms and applications and additional resources.
Colorado’s medical program was born on November 7, 2000, when voters approved Amendment 20. There was no regulated industry in the early days. However, patients with a doctor’s recommendation were allowed to grow their own medicine and potentially avoid prosecution via an "affirmative defense of medical necessity."
Since the enactment of Colorado Amendment 64, twelve years later in November 2012, all adults 21 years of age or older are permitted to legally possess limited amounts of marijuana. Amendment 64 also called for a state-run system of cannabis cultivation, processing, testing, and retail sales.
By September 9, 2013, the Colorado Department of Revenue had finalized regulations for recreational marijuana establishments. The Colorado Retail Marijuana Code (HB 13-1317) was adopted one week later on September 16, 2013.
Over the course of the first year of recreational sales, Colorado's legal marijuana market reached total sales of $700 million. In both 2017 and 2018, marijuana sales in Colorado topped $1.5 billion. Between January 2014, and May 2019, marijuana sales surpassed $6 billion. Furthermore, marijuana tax, license and fee revenues have totaled more than $927 million since adult-use marijuana sales began on January 1, 2014.
In a recent development, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed legislation permitting licensed retailers to designate social consumption areas.
Two segments of Colorado's marijuana industry were created via two separate Colorado voter ballot initiatives. Medical Marijuana was made legal through the Amendment Twenty Campaign in November of 2000 and Recreational (Retail) Marijuana was made legal through the Amendment Sixty-Four Campaign in November of 2012.
Medical and recreational marijuana are governed by two different sets of statutes and rules but are overseen by the same agency - the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED).
According to the MED website, the agency’s mission is “to promote public safety and reduce public harm by regulating the Colorado commercial marijuana industry through the consistent administration of laws and regulations and strategic integration of process management, functional expertise, and innovative problem-solving.”
Both sections addressing Colorado's marijuana industries are contained within Colorado's Constitution Article XVIII, entitled Miscellaneous:
In order to qualify for a Colorado cannabis business license, applicants must demonstrate at least two years of Colorado residency and pass criminal and credit background checks.
All the information you need to operate a retail marijuana business in Colorado is located at the Department of Revenue’s Retail Marijuana Licensing Information Page.
It’s important to cross-reference state rules on retail marijuana licensing with your local municipality’s rules, which may be stricter.
Below is a comprehensive list of the various forms and applications which are required for the various types of marijuana businesses and occupations in the state of Colorado.
All of the most current fee information below was provided in this document:
Colorado Marijuana Business License Fees schedule PDF
These are the Colorado cannabis business license fees as of July 15, 2019:
| Current Medical Adding Retail (combined use) |
Total Due at Application |
Retail Fees Fees Due to Local (separate check) |
| Retail Marijuana Store |
$2,250 |
$250 |
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation |
$1,750 |
$250 |
| Retail Marijuana Products Mfg |
$1,750 |
$250 |
| Current Medical Adding Retail (conversion) |
Total Due at Application Retail |
New Retail Fees Due to Local (separate check) |
| Conversion only* |
$250 |
$250 *(expires when current medical expires- unless within 90 days of expiration) |
| Marijuana Store |
$4,500 |
$2,500 |
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation |
$4,000 |
$2,500 |
| Retail Marijuana Products Mfg |
$4,000 |
$2,500 |
| Retail Marijuana Testing Facility |
$2,000 |
$500 |
| Retail Marijuana Transporter (2-yr license) |
$4,900 |
$500 |
| Retail Marijuana Operator |
$2,700 |
$500 |
| Affiliated Interest (that is not an IBIO) |
$200 |
|
| Commercially Reasonable Royalty Interest Holder w/more than 30% |
$400 |
|
| Commercially Reasonable Royalty Interest Holder w/less than or equal to 30% |
$200 |
|
| Permitted Economic Interest |
$400 |
|
| Profit Sharing Plan Employee |
$200 |
|
| Qualified Limited Passive Investor -Limited Initial Background Check |
$75 |
|
| Qualified Limited Passive Investor - Full background for reasonable cause |
$125 |
|
| Qualified Institutuional Investor |
$200 |
|
Medical Fees |
||
| New Medical |
Total Due at Application Center |
|
| Type 1 (1-300 patients) |
$9,000 |
|
| Center Type 2 (301-500 patients) |
$16,000 |
|
| Center Type 3 (501 or more patients) |
$22,000 |
|
| Optional Premises Cultivation |
$2,500 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Infused Products |
$2,500 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Testing Facility |
$2,500 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Transporter (2-yr license) |
$5,400 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Operator |
$3,200 |
|
| Marijuana Research and Development Facility |
$2,500 |
|
| Marijuana Research and Development Cultivation |
$3,500 |
|
| Affiliated Interest (that is not an IBIO) |
$200 |
|
| Commercially Reasonable Royalty Interest Holder w/more than 30% |
$400 |
|
| Commercially Reasonable Royalty Interest Holder w/less than or equal to 30% |
$200 |
|
| Permitted Economic Interest |
$400 |
|
| Profit Sharing Plan Employee |
$200 |
|
| Qualified Limited Passive Investor -Limited Initial Background Check |
$75 |
|
| Qualified Limited Passive Investor - Full background for reasonable cause |
$125 |
|
| Qualified Institutuional Investor |
$200 |
|
Renewal Fees |
||
| Retail Renewal Retail |
Total Due at Application |
|
| Marijuana Store |
$1,800 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation (up to 1800 plants) |
$1,800 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Products Mfg |
$1,800 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Testing Facility |
$1,800 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Transporter (2-yr license) |
$4,700 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Operator |
$2,500 |
|
| Late Renewal Application Fee |
$500 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation Extended Plant Count Tier 2 (1801-3600 plants) |
$2,900 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation Extended Plant Count Tier 3 (3601-6000 plants) |
$3,600 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation Extended Plant Count Tier 4 (6001-10200 plants) |
$5,100 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation Extended Plant Count Tier 5 (10201-13800 plants) |
$7,100 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Cultivation Extended Plant Count Tier 5+ (13801+ in increments of 3600 plants) |
$800 per addt'l 3600 plants over 13,800 |
|
| Medical Renewal |
Total Due at Application Center |
|
| Type 1 (1-300 patients) |
$2,300 |
|
| Center Type 2 (301-500 patients) |
$5,300 |
|
| Center Type 3 (501 or more patients) |
$7,300 |
|
| Optional Premises Cultivation |
$1,800 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Infused Products |
$1,800 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Testing Facility |
$1,800 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Transporter (2-yr license) |
$4,700 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Operator |
$2,500 |
|
| Marijuana Research and Development Facility |
$1,800 |
|
| Marijuana Research and Development Cultivation |
$1,800 |
|
| Individual License Fees |
Total Fees Due |
|
| Associated Key/Associated Person/Owner One Year License |
$800 |
|
| Occupational Key Two Year License |
$250 |
|
| Occupational Support Two Year |
$75 |
|
| License Occupational Upgrade from Support to Key |
$203.65 |
|
| Individual Renewal License Fees |
Total Fees |
|
| Fees Associated Key/Associated Person/Owner |
$500 One Year License |
|
| Occupational Key |
$75 Two Year License |
|
| Occupational Support |
$75 Two Year License |
|
| Schedule of Other Application Fees |
Fees |
|
| Transfer of Ownership - New Owners |
$1,600 |
|
| Transfer of Ownership - Reallocation of Ownership |
$1,000 |
|
| Change of Corporation or LLC Structure |
$800 |
|
| Change of Trade Name |
$50 |
|
| Change of Location |
$500 |
|
| Indirect Financial Interest Background Investigation (Financial Declaration) |
$200 |
|
| Modification of Premises |
$100 |
|
| Duplicate Business License |
$20 |
|
| Duplicate Occupational License |
$20 |
|
| Off Premise Storage Permit |
$1,500 |
|
| Medical Marijuana Transporter Off-Premises Storage Permit |
$2,200 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program App |
$850 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program Renewal |
$350 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program Duplicate Certificate |
$50 |
|
| Licensed Research Business- Research Project Proposal |
$500 |
|
| Medical Centralized Distribution Permit |
$20 |
|
| R&D Co-Location Permit |
$50 |
|
| Individual Temporary Appointee Registration |
$225 |
|
| Entity Temporary Appointee Registration |
$800 |
|
| Schedule of Other Application Fees Retail Fees Fees Transfer of Ownership - New Owners |
$1,600 |
|
| Transfer of Ownership - Reallocation of Ownership |
$1,000 |
|
| Change of Corporation or LLC Structure |
$800 |
|
| Change of Trade Name |
$50 |
|
| Change of Location |
$500 |
|
| Modification of Premises |
$100 |
|
| Indirect Financial Interest Background Investigation (Financial Declaration) |
$200 |
|
| Duplicate Business License |
$20 |
|
| Duplicate Occupational License |
$20 |
|
| Off Premises Storage Permit |
$1,500 |
|
| Retail Marijuana Transporter Off-Premises Storage Permit |
$2,200 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program App |
$850 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program Renewal |
$350 |
|
| Responsible Vendor Program Duplicate Certificate |
$50 |
|
| Retail Centralized Distribution Permit |
$20 |
|
| R&D Co-Location Permit |
$50 |
|
| Individual Temporary Appointee Registration |
$225 |
|
| Entity Temporary Appointee Registration |
$800 |
As of June 3, 2019:
As of June 3, 2019:
As of June 3, 2019:
All offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 - 5:00 P.M., excluding State Holidays.
Hand-delivered marijuana business license Renewal Applications may be submitted between 8:00 -11:00 AM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM only
Initial Occupational Licensing application submission is available by appointment only at all MED Offices - please visit our Occupational Licensing page for more information
As of July 15, 2019
Marijuana use during pregnancy, concerns related to marijuana in homes with children, and adolescent use should continue to guide public health edu
December 3, 2018 - The Marijuana Enforcement Dvision (MED) issued a Statement of Position regarding the definition of Kief.
December 3, 2018 - MED Industry Bulletin 18-11 discusses labeling requirements for Vaporizer Cartridges, Vaporizer Pens or Syringe-Type Devices.
The Colorado Department of Public Safety released it's Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado Report in October 2018.
The Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Public Health and Environment
The General Assembly passed House Bill 18‐1259, effective August 8, 2018, amending the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code, 12‐43.3‐101, et seq., C.R.S
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On June 18, 2018, the State Licensing Authority adopted emergency Medical and Retail Marijuana rules, for which the Statement of Emergency Justify...
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The Marijuana Enforcement Division became aware of circumstances under which licensed medical and retail marijuana businesses and/or their employee
Effective immediately, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) and State Licensing Authority, Mike Hartman, adopted a single universal symbol for packaging, labeling and on-product marking of medical and retail marijuana, concentrate and product by removing the “M” from the existing medical symbol.
This Industry‐Wide Bulletin is intended to inform licensees about rules and upcoming changes regarding packaging and labeling requirements and does not replace each licensee’s responsibility to read and comply with all applicable laws and rules.
What are your thoughts around driving and cannabis? Do you want the chance to voice your opinion? The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is working on a first-of-its-kind effort to better understand Coloradans’ thoughts and opinions around driving under the influence of marijuana.
Topic: Web‐Based Medical Marijuana Registry System and Permitted Patient Card Formats
Feb. 5, 2018 - This Industry Bulletin is being issued to notify licensees of new requirements for outdoor or greenhouse medical and retail marijuana cultivations (collectively referred to as “Outdoor Cultivations”), effective January 1, 2019.
January 24, 2018 - Bronnor Corp, in coordination with The Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (“CDPHE”), in the interest of public health and public safety, are issuing a health and safety advisory due to the preliminary indication of potentially unsafe levels of residual Ethanol on retail marijuana.
DENVER - Recent evaluation results show that Colorado’s marijuana public education eff
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The Colorado Department of Public Health Environment and The Colorado Department of Public Safety published their lessons learned after three years
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November 3, 2017 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in
April 26, 2017 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in co
April 26, 2017 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in co
October 19, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with
New universal symbol required for all marijuana packaging and products; Packaging that
Today the Cannabis Users Survey on Health (CUSH) launched, which will give us important health information.
May 23, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with the
May 23, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with the
April 26, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with th
April 22, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with th
April 21, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with th
April 20, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with th
April 7, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with the
April 7, 2016 - In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order (D 2015-015), the Colorado Department of Revenue (“DOR”), in conjunction with the