Apply online for an entity amendment of a marijuana business license

Picture of a marijuana plant
On Feb. 15, 2022, the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses hosted a webinar. It showed existing marijuana business licensees how to apply for a transfer of ownership or entity amendment of a marijuana business license in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. The webinar includes a short presentation and a step-by-step demonstration that shows licensees how to apply for a transfer of ownership or entity amendment online. Watch the webinar on our YouTube channel. Transfers of ownership are different from entity amendments. Learn more about when to submit an entity amendment below. Learn more about when to submit a transfer of ownership on our marijuana transfer of ownership webpage.
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Effective Nov. 11, 2021, to apply for an ownership structure change, all affected licenses must transition to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center.

To assist with the transition, there are online training videos that provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application processes. The videos are on the online training videos webpage. There are videos that show how to register for an account, how to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records, and how to apply for new business licenses or amendments. It is recommended you watch the videos to assist with the application process.

After transitioning your licenses to the online center, you can submit your ownership structure change application online.

Overview of requirements

An entity amendment update must be submitted for:

  • The reallocation of owner interests among existing controlling beneficial owners.
  • The removal of a controlling beneficial owner.
  • Any change involving a controlling beneficial owner.
  • A change of legal name.
  • A change of entity type.
  • Updating contact information.

Submit application

Step 1.Watch our online training videos

Our online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application processes. Online training videos for marijuana licenses are on our online training videos webpage. The training videos show how to register for an account, how to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records, and how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 2.Log in to your online account

Log in to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. Use the username (email address) and password you used to transition your licenses online.

Step 3.Gather all required documents

Applications for ownership structure change must be complete and include all required documents. (See required documents for each license type below.) Remember:

  • All materials must be digital files and saved as a .pdf or .jpg file. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses will not be able to accept other file types.
  • Legal documents must be properly signed and executed.
  • All materials must be legible.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 4.Navigate to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver’s Online Permitting and Licensing Center, the seller must:

  • Under Business, Short-Term Rental, and Occupational Licensing, click "Renew or Manage." This will take you to the "My Records" page.
  • To submit an amendment or ownership structure change of your entity registration, look at the "License Type" column. Find the row that has the entity registration, record name and ownership structure that you want to amend. In the right column, click on "Amendment."
  • Select "Update Contact Information" or "Update Current Ownership Structure, Entity Name/Type, or General Business Contact Information." Then click "Continue Application."
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."
  • Select the updates you will be making and click "Continue Application."
  • This will begin to guide you through the application process. Read each page carefully.

Any time during the process, you can save and resume your application within 30 days. After 30 days, you will need to start again.

Revisit the online training videos webpage to help guide you through the application.

Step 5.Submit the application online

You must submit a complete application for:

  • An entity registration ownership structure change. This will capture information about the ownership structure of the licenses attached to that entity registration.

Step 6.Pay the required fees

After submitting your application package, you must pay the required application fees online. (Visit the fees for marijuana license, permit and amendment applications webpage for more information.)

The fees will be in your account under the "My Records" tab. In the right column, there is a link to "Pay Fees Due." Click there and it will take you to the online payment screen.

  • You can with a Discover, Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card.
  • You can pay from a bank account. You must have a routing number, account number, the account holder's name, and the account type.

If you can only pay in cash, email EXLApplications@Denvergov.org, and request an invoice. A licensing technician will provide an invoice for you to pay in cash, in person.

Print a copy of the payment screen. A receipt will not be sent to you.

Step 7.City application review

The Department will review the city application and all required documents. The review could take 20 business days. It might take longer depending on the volume of applications pending before the Department. You will be notified if more information is required.

Incomplete applications or applications with many deficiencies or errors will take longer to process. Be sure all required documents are valid, legible and accurate before applying.

Applicants will receive status updates. Do not contact the Department for a status update unless 15 business days have passed, and you have received no communication.

You must correct all application deficiencies before attempting to close your transfer of ownership. Your transfer of ownership will not be approved if you have not provided other additional required information (including documents that might be included in the organization documents or purchase agreement, such as signed guaranty agreements, signed assignment and assumption agreements, signed promissory notes etc.).

Step 8.Email Excise and Licenses

After receiving state approval, email EXLApplications@denvergov.org

  • The amendment record ID(s) for the entity amendment.
  • Proof of state approval for the ownership structure change.
  • A request to close the amendment record ID(s) for the ownership structure change.

Step 9.License issuance

A licensing technician will update your record with the new ownership information. You will receive an email with a new certificate of licensure (reflecting the new ownership). This is your business license. The certificate of licensure is also in your online account.

All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

If you are reallocating owner interests among existing controlling beneficial owners, removing a controlling beneficial owner, or making any change involving a controlling beneficial owner, must provide:

  • Information for every controlling beneficial owner (natural person and entities) associated with the license. This includes the name, home address, date of birth (or the date of incorporation of the entity), position, phone number, email address, percentage owned, state owner license number, relevant social equity qualification information, and voluntary demographic information for every owner.
  • An organizational chart to clarify ownership structure.
  • A copy of organizational documents or corporate governance documents. This includes articles of incorporation, by-laws, operating or partnership agreement, and a certificate of trade name.
  • A copy of a valid government-issued identification for each controlling beneficial owner associated with the license, directly or through an entity.
  • A copy of the asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, sales contract or any other document necessary to effectuate the change of owner.

For marijuana business licenses only, if you are changing the legal name (True name) or type of your entity, you must provide:

  • A copy of new burglar alarm monitoring contracts in the new entity's name for all locations held under the entity record. (For example, if your entity holds licenses at 201 W. Colfax Ave. and 1200 N. Federal Blvd., you must provide valid burglar alarm monitoring contracts for 201 W Colfax Ave. and 1200 N. Federal Blvd.)
  • A copy of new burglar alarm permits in the new entity's name for all locations held under the entity record. (For example, if your entity holds licenses at 201 W. Colfax Ave. and 1200 N. Federal Blvd., you must provide valid burglar alarm permits for both locations.)
  • Proof of legal possession of the premises in the new entity's name for all locations held under the entity record. (For example, if your entity holds licenses at 201 W. Colfax Ave. and 1200 N. Federal Blvd., you must provide valid proof of possession of premises for 201 W. Colfax Ave. and 1200 N. Federal Blvd.) Only one of the following must be submitted for each location:
    • A possession of property certificate(PDF, 262KB); or
    • A deed; or
    • A complete, unredacted lease, including all lease amendments. If leased, the owner must provide written consent to lease the property to a marijuana facility. The lease must be valid for at least 90 days from the date a complete application is submitted.

If your change of ownership information includes a change in social equity applicant status, you must also provide:

Please note: No documents are required and there will be no fee if you are only updating your general contact information.

*The City of Denver is committed to continuous improvement of its policies, processes, and communications. By voluntarily reporting ethnicity, race, and gender information, applicants help inform our data-driven approach to improvement. Applicants are not required to provide information about their ethnicity, race, or gender. An applicant's choice to provide or decline to provide this information has no impact on the outcome of their application. The information an applicant chooses to provide has no impact on the outcome of their application.

  • Main contact: You must provide the first name, last name, email address and phone number for the main contact for the licensed establishment and business. This contact will receive all emails about the location and the businesses licenses and applications. This information will be used by city agencies to contact the business.
  • Mailing address:You must provide a mailing address for this licensed establishment and company.
  • On-site manager: You must provide the first name, last name, date of birth, home address, email address and phone number for the on-site manager for the licensed establishment and business. An on-site manager is any individual who has the authority to make decisions about the licensed establishment. They must have access to and control of the licensed establishment at all times.
  • General contact: This information could be shared in an open data catalog or upon request. The information should allow the public to contact your business about licenses or licensed establishments. A telephone number and an email address are needed.