Social equity badge

There are two types of social equity badges. To qualify for a social equity licensee badge, you only have to hold a social equity business license issued by the City and County of Denver. To qualify for a social equity supporter badge, you must select at least 10 activities from the list below. If you have completed a social equity activity that is not listed, you can submit it as an "other" activity. Only one "other" activity will count toward the minimum number required to earn the badge.

• Get a social equity license through Denver's social equity program.
  • Tips: If you hold a Denver social equity license, your business qualifies for a social equity licensee badge.
• Educate employees about the cannabis social equity program. Use materials from Denver Excise and Licenses.
• Contract with a social equity transporter business to deliver cannabis.
  • Tips: Verify the business has a valid state and local transporter license and delivery permit. Here is a list of Denver delivery permit holders.
• Reserve shelf space in store for products and cannabis from social equity businesses. Sell products and cannabis sourced from social equity companies within your store.
• Buy products from a cannabis social equity businesses at least once per quarter.
• Hire people who qualify as social equity applicants for entry-level positions.
  • Tips: The person does not need to have a finding of suitability from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division. But make sure to verify to the best of your ability that they could qualify under the social equity criteria. Learn more about the social equity criteria and how to verify them here.
• Hire or promote people who qualify as social equity applicants for supervisory, management, and executive level positions.
  • Tips: The person does not need to have a finding of suitability from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division. But make sure to verify to the best of your ability that they could qualify under the social equity criteria. Learn more about the social equity criteria and how to verify them here.
• Provide data to social equity businesses at no cost in the form of market data reports, educational seminars, or consumer reports.
• Promote or market social equity businesses. This could be in the form of in-store promotion, staff recommendations, or targeted campaigns.
• Take part in a mentorship program for social equity applicants to start and run a successful business. This does not include the state accelerator program.
• Get an MED accelerator-endorsed licensee designation and accelerate an accelerator licensee.
  • Tips: The accelerator program is administered by the state Marijuana Enforcement Division. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
• Provide free assistance to social equity applicants on how to find investment. For example, host a training, review pitch decks, facilitate a one-on-one meeting with investors, etc.
• Lease space to a social equity business at below-market rate.
• Donate to an organization that offers opportunities to people recently released from incarceration.
  • Tips: Donations should total at least $2,000.
• Host or sponsor a record clearing or expungement clinic.
• Volunteer for or donate to an organization that provides technical help to social equity applicants.
  • Tips: Donations should total at least $2,000 or at least 20 volunteer hours.
• Invest in a social equity business (up to 49% ownership).
  • Tips: Investments should follow all MED disclosure requirements.
• Host an event at a social equity marijuana hospitality business.
  • Tips: Verify the business has a valid state and local hospitality license.
• Contract with at least five social equity businesses for products or services for at least one year.
  • Tips: The length of each contract should be at least one year.
• Waive slotting and/or marketing fees for social equity businesses.
• Proactively seek social equity partnerships. For example, hold information sessions, attend networking events, put contact information on your website and social media, etc.
• Other (please describe)
  • Tips: Qualifying activities should support social equity applicants and licensees in starting and growing their businesses.