Apply online for a new marijuana business license or permit

On Dec. 21, 2021, the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses hosted a webinar. It showed existing marijuana business licensees how to apply for a new marijuana business license in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. The webinar included a short presentation and a step-by-step demonstration. Watch the webinar on our YouTube channel. Use the Required Information and Documents Checklist(PDF, 70KB) to apply for new licenses online.
 
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The Department of Excise and Licenses no longer accepts paper applications for most Denver marijuana business licenses. Medical and retail marijuana testing facilities and medical marijuana research and development facilities continue to use paper applications. These are for new license applications, renewals, and amendments. Visit this page for paper applications.

Most applications must be submitted through Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. This includes new business license, renewal, modification of premises, change of location and change of ownership applications.

When you complete the online permitting and licensing process, you will receive a certificate of licensure.

Follow the step-by-step process below to apply.

What medical or retail marijuana licenses or permits does the city issue?

The city issues the following new medical or retail marijuana business licenses or permits:

  • Medical marijuana delivery permit
  • Medical marijuana products manufacturer license
  • Medical marijuana testing facility license
  • Medical marijuana transporter license
  • Medical marijuana off-premises storage facility permit
  • Marijuana research and development license
  • Retail marijuana store license
  • Retail marijuana delivery permit
  • Retail marijuana cultivation facility license
  • Retail marijuana products manufacturer license
  • Retail marijuana testing facility license
  • Retail marijuana transporter license
  • Retail marijuana off-premises storage facility permit
  • Marijuana hospitality business license (including a marijuana hospitality license with a mobile premises)
  • Retail marijuana hospitality and sales business license

The city no longer issues new business licenses for:

  • Medical marijuana stores
  • Medical marijuana cultivation facilities

Who can apply for a new medical or retail marijuana business license or permit?

The following licenses are for eligible social equity applicants until July 1, 2027:

  • Medical marijuana products manufacturer license
  • Medical marijuana transporter license
  • Marijuana hospitality business license (including a marijuana hospitality license with a mobile premises)
  • Retail marijuana hospitality and sales business license
  • Retail marijuana store license
  • Retail marijuana cultivation facility license
  • Retail marijuana products manufacturer license
  • Retail marijuana transporter license

Someone does not have to qualify as a social equity applicant to apply for these licenses and permits:

  • Medical marijuana testing facility license
  • Medical marijuana off-premises storage facility permit (a related license is required)
  • Marijuana research and development license
  • Retail marijuana testing facility license
  • Retail marijuana off-premises storage facility permit (a related license is required)
  • Delivery permit attached to a store license
  • Applicants can apply for a retail marijuana business license that will be commonly owned and co-located with an existing medical marijuana business of the same type. For example, an existing medical marijuana products manufacturer can apply for a retail marijuana products manufacturer's license that will be co-located and commonly owned.

New and existing medical or retail marijuana store licensees, and new medical or retail marijuana transporter licensees who qualify as social equity applicants can apply for:

  • Medical marijuana delivery permit
  • Retail marijuana delivery permit

Submit a new marijuana business license application

Step 1.Watch our online training videos 

Our online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application processes. You can find the online training videos for marijuana licenses on our Online Training Videos webpage. There are training 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.

Step 2.Register for a new account

Register for an account in Denver's Permitting and Licensing Center. Applicants should create separate accounts with separate email addresses and passwords for separate entities. It will make managing records under separate entities easier.

Step 3.Gather all required documents

Applications for new business licenses must be complete. They must include all required information and documents. (See required information and documents 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.
  • Proposed business addresses must be registered within the Denver address database. All units and suite numbers that the business is operating out of must be linked to all parts of the applications, including the business file number and the licensed establishment number.
  • Legal documents included as part of the application must be properly signed and executed.
  • All materials must be legible.
  • In some cases, you could have to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into one file.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

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

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

  • Under Business, Short-Term Rental, and Occupational Licensing, click "Apply New."
  • Under All Other Business Licenses, click “Application Package” and “Continue Application.”
  • Read the introduction page and click “Continue.”

This will begin and guide you through the application process. You will be required to submit complete applications for:

  • A licensed establishment record, which will capture information about where your business operates;
  • An entity registration record, which will capture ownership information for your business; and
  • Business file number records. They will capture information about the business licenses included in your application package.

You can save and resume your application within 30 days. After 30 days, you will not be able to resume your application, and you will need to start again.

Revisit our Online Training Videos webpage to help guide you through the application.

Note: If you are applying for many licenses at a single location or under a single entity name, you only need to complete the licensed establishment and entity registration records once. After you complete the initial licensed establishment and entity registration applications, you can add licenses to those records. Only crate new licensed establishment and entity registration records for new locations and new entities.

Step 5.Pay the required fees and submit the application

When you submit a complete application package, you must pay the required application and license fees. (Visit our Fees for Marijuana License, Permit and Amendment Applications webpage for more information.) The application will not be put into a queue for review until the required fees are paid.

The fees will be listed in your account under the “My Records” tab. In the right column, you will see a link to “Pay Fees Due.” Click "Pay Fees Due” and it will take you to the online payment screen. There might be several "Pay Fees Due." You will need to click on each of those separately to pay.

  • You can pay your fees online with a Discover, Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card.
  • You can also pay online from a bank account. To do so, you must have a routing number, account number, the account holder name, and account type.

Note: Print a copy of the payment screen. A receipt will not be emailed or mailed to you.

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

Step 6.City application review and next steps

The Department will review the city application and all required documents. The review might take 20 business days. It could take longer depending on the volume of applications that are pending. After the city's application review is complete, applicants must:

  • Complete a public needs and desires hearing (not required for all licenses). Marijuana stores, marijuana hospitality businesses, and retail marijuana hospitality and sales businesses must complete a public needs and desires hearing. It might take an extra 30 to 60 business days after the city application review for a public hearing to be scheduled and to occur. A licensing technician will notify the applicant when the hearing will be scheduled. And they will provide the applicant with relevant hearing materials. The posting notice must be posted for 30 days before the hearing. Read the posting notice instructions for guidance on the posting notice. A hearing officer will make a recommended decision after the hearing.

  • Complete inspections and get state approval. When the licensing technician's review is complete and if a required needs and desires hearing results in a recommended approval of the new business license, you will receive an inspection notice. For more information, refer to the inspection process information below. The Department will also require proof of state approval (a state license) before it issues a city license.

Step 7.Email Excise and Licenses

After you complete the required city inspections, e-mail EXLApplications@denvergov.org with:

  • Your business file number(s) (BFNs)
  • Proof of state approval for your state business license(s)
  • A request to issue your new city business license(s)

Step 8.License issuance

A city licensing technician will update your record. You will receive an email with a new certificate of licensure. This is your business license. The certificate of licensure is also available in your online account.

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

Applications for business licenses and amendments must be complete. They must include all required information and documents. Remember:

  • All materials must be digital files and saved as a .pdf or .jpg file only. Do not include any other file types in your application. The Department of Excise and Licenses will not accept other file types.
  • Legal documents included with the application must be properly signed and executed.
  • All materials must be legible.
  • In some cases, you could have to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Applicants can use this checklist(PDF, 70KB) to gather the required information and documents.

Important: If you are applying for multiple licenses at a single location or under a single entity name, you only need to complete the licensed establishment and entity registration records once. After you complete the initial licensed establishment and entity registration applications, you can add licenses to those records. Only create new licensed establishment and entity registration records for new locations and new entities.

For the licensed establishment record, every applicant (except for no-premises transporters and mobile hospitality businesses with no licensed premises in Denver) will provide:

  • Any location name you may use to distinguish locations. For example, if you have multiple licenses at multiple locations.
  • The name, position, date of birth, home address, phone number and email address for an onsite manager. They have the authority to make decisions about the licensed establishment. And they have access to and control over the licensed establishment at all times (required for all applicants).
  • A zoning use permit or acknowledgement of zoning use permit form(PDF, 109KB). An acknowledgement of zoning use permit form can be used to submit a new license application. A new license will not be issued until the applicant provides a valid zoning use permit.
  • Proof of legal possession of the premises. It must be valid for at least 90 days from the date a complete application is submitted. Only one of the following must be submitted:
    • A complete possession of property certificate(PDF, 130KB) (recommended); or
    • A deed; or
    • A complete, unredacted lease, including all amendments. If leased, the owner must provide written consent to lease the property to a marijuana facility. The the lease must be valid for at least 90 days from the date a complete application is submitted.
  • A floor plan that meets the requirements for marijuana licensing. See floor plan requirements below.
  • A copy of burglar alarm monitoring contract.
  • A copy of burglar alarm permit.

For the entity registration record, every applicant will provide:

  • Any trade names under which the entity operates.
  • Information for every owner licensee (natural person and entity licensed by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division) 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.
  • For owner-entities associated with the license, select "Holding Company" in the "Position" drop-down.
  • A copy of a valid government-issued identification for each owner licensee (natural person) associated with the license, directly or through an entity
  • A copy of organizational documents or corporate governance documents (articles of incorporation, by-laws, operating or partnership agreement).

For the business file number (license) record, applicants will provide:

  • A valid, related state business license number.
  • A burglar alarm permit number. This is not required for no-premises transporters or mobile hospitality businesses with no licensed premises in Denver.
  • A business employer identification number.
  • Proof of eligibility for any social equity licensee(PDF, 86KB) listed in the ownership structure. This is required only if social equity licensees are listed in the ownership structure.
  • A complete social impact plan(PDF, 171KB). This must be on the city's provided template. This is required for every license (every license type, medical and retail).
  • A copy of the city sales tax license. This is required only for stores and hospitality and sales businesses.
  • A copy of the state sales tax license. This is required only for stores and hospitality and sales businesses.
  • Proof of an occupational privilege tax license. This is required only for transporters.
  • An odor control plan(PDF, 202KB). This is required only for hospitality and hospitality and sales businesses.
  • A health and sanitation plan(PDF, 176KB). This is required only for hospitality, hospitality and sales, and mobile hospitality businesses that provide shared consumption devices to consumers.
  • Business Tax Account ID. This is not required for transporter or off-premises storage facility. This is the occupational privilege tax. It's the first six digits of that account number.

More information for mobile hospitality business licenses

If you are applying for a mobile hospitality business license, you must apply for separate licenses for each mobile premises (vehicle). You must provide:

  • The Vehicle Identification Number.
  • The license plate number.
  • A copy of the vehicle registration.
  • Proof of insurance for the vehicle.
  • Route logs that show pickup and drop-off locations and all stops.

More information for off-premises storage facility licenses

For a medical or retail marijuana off-premises storage facility application, you must provide:

  • The related Denver marijuana business file number associated with the new off-premises storage facility. For example, the business file number for the store, cultivation, etc., associated with the off-premises storage facility.
  • The related state of Colorado marijuana business license number associated with the new off-premises storage facility. For example, the state business license number for the store, cultivation, etc., associated with the off-premises storage facility.

More information for transporters applying for delivery permits

Provide a floor plan, or several floor plans, drawn to scale on a standard 8 ½-inch-by-11 inch piece of paper. It is preferred you submit plans that have been prepared digitally by a design professional. Separate floors must be shown on separate pieces of paper and clearly identified. For example, the basement, first floor, etc. Your floor plan must be complete and accurate. The submission must include:

  • The physical layout of the establishment with the legibly labeled principal uses of each room.
  • The legible identification of all security cameras and DVR locations.
  • The intended licensed premises must be contiguous and outlined in red.
  • The intended limited access areas must be contiguous and outlined in green.
  • A legend or key must define the features on the map. This includes but is not limited to the red and green lines. And any symbol or marker used to identify security cameras.
  • Stores only: Each room that is restricted access area must be clearly labeled as such. And it must identify point-of-sale stations and sales counter locations.
  • Modification of premises applications only: Copies of current and proposed floor plans must be included in the application. It must be combined in a single PDF. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file. The current copy must be legibly labeled "CURRENT FLOOR PLAN." And the proposed copy must be legibly labeled "PROPOSED FLOOR PLAN."
  • If you submit several floor plans to satisfy all requirements outlined above, the physical layout and room uses must be identical for each floor plan showing the same section of the premises.

Definitions

  • Licensed premises: The premises in possession of the licensee. Where the licensee can cultivate, manufacture, distribute, sell, store, transport, or test marijuana.
  • Limited access area: The contiguous area within the licensed premises. It's where marijuana is grown, cultivated, stored, weighed, packaged, or processed.
  • Restricted access area: The area within the licensed premises where marijuana is sold, possessed for sale, or displayed for sale.

See examples of floor plans(PDF, 288KB).

Visit our Fees for Marijuana License, Permit and Amendment Applications webpage for more information.

Inspection status

Check your inspection status in the Online Permitting and Licensing Center.

Inspection process and information

When a licensing technician's review of your change of location application is complete, they will provide you with an inspection notice. You should engage professionals to ensure you're in compliance with building, zoning, public health and fire prevention requirements. Here is a non-comprehensive guide(PDF, 860KB) to common marijuana business license inspection requirements.

Inspecting agencies will digitally pass or fail your inspections. All inspecting agencies must pass your inspections before the Department can close your change of location records.

Inspections vary by license type. For example, the environmental quality inspects for only certain license types (cultivation and manufacturing facilities). In general, the following inspections are required for most new marijuana business license applications:

Community Planning & Development: Zoning and neighborhood inspections

Community Planning & Development: Building Inspections Division

Fire prevention

Public Health & Environment: Public Health Inspections Division. Inspection required only for stores, manufacturing, testing, transporter, and off-premises storage facilities.

  • Schedule an inspection by calling 311 (if outside of Denver, call (720) 913-1311)

Public Health & Environment: Environmental quality. Inspection required only for cultivation and manufacturing facilities.

  • Schedule an inspection by calling 311 (if outside of Denver, call (720) 913-1311)

Excise and Licenses (this cannot be scheduled until all other inspections have passed)

  • Schedule an inspection by calling 311 (if outside of Denver, call (720) 913-1311)

Apply and Pay

Know the Law

 

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Contact Excise and Licenses

Department of Excise and License
201 W Colfax Ave, Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202
MarijuanaInfo@Denvergov.org

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