Apply for a transfer of ownership of a testing or R&D facility license

A marijuana license change of ownership application must be submitted for:

  • A change of controlling beneficial owner.
  • The reallocation of owner interests among existing controlling beneficial owner(s).
  • The removal of a controlling beneficial owner.
  • A change of a passive beneficial owner to a controlling beneficial owner.
  • Any change involving an owner licensee (licensed by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division). This includes a change of executive officer or change of member of board of directors.
  • A change of legal name.
  • A change of entity type.

Changes of ownership for licenses held by social equity applicants

Before July 1, 2027, any license held by social equity applicants must be transferable to other social equity applicants or non-social equity applicants. At least 51% or more of the license must be held by one or more social equity applicants. After July 1, 2027, licenses held by social equity applicants must be transferable to other social equity applicants or non-social equity applicants upon approval by the director.

Submit a change of ownership application

Step 1.Complete the application

Complete the marijuana license change of ownership application(PDF, 370KB). Applications must be complete and include all required documents. See the required forms section below. Legal documents must be properly signed and executed. All materials must be legible. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 2.Submit the application

Marijuana license change of ownership applications must be emailed to EXLSubmit@denvergov.org. You can make an appointment with the cannabis process navigator by emailing Marijuanainfo@denvergov.org.

Step 3.Pay the required fees

A city licensing technician will provide an invoice during or after application intake. Pay the required fee. (Information about fees are in the required fees section below the step-by-step guide.) Make checks payable to the "Manager of Finance." You can also pay in cash, or with a Visa, Discover or Mastercard.

You can pay online. Payments and Cashiering is also open for in-person payments. It is available Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours and days of operation are subject to change without notice.

Step 4.City application review

A city licensing technician will review the application and all required documents. This could take 20 business days. It could take longer depending on the volume of applications pending before the Department.

Step 5.Conditional local approval

If the change of ownership meets local requirements, a city licensing technician will issue a letter of conditional local approval. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide the Marijuana Enforcement Division investigator assigned to the state change of ownership application with a copy of the letter, if required. Also, the state Marijuana Enforcement Division requires some applicants to sign and submit a Schedule A effective date of change of ownership. For more information, talk with the Marijuana Enforcement Division investigator assigned to your state change of ownership application.

Step 6.Get final state approval

Proof of final state approval indicates the requested change of ownership was approved. Unless otherwise stated, it indicates the change of ownership is effective immediately. A contingent approval letter pursuant to Rule 2-245(3) is not final approval.

The applicant is responsible for completing a state change of controlling beneficial owner application, disclosure (changes exempt from the change of owner application) or disclosure (change of executive officers or members of board of directors), if required. The Department requires proof of state approval of the change of ownership. If the state requires no application or disclosure form or otherwise will not provide proof of approval of the change of ownership, confirm that in an email with a representative of the Marijuana Enforcement Division.

Step 7.Email Excise and Licenses

On the effective date of change of ownership, email EXLApplications@denvergov.org with:

  • The amendment record ID(s) for the change(s) of ownership.
  • Proof of state approval for the change(s) of ownership. If the state requires no application or disclosure form or otherwise will not provide proof of approval of the change of ownership, provide an email from a representative of the Marijuana Enforcement Division.
  • A request to close the amendment record ID(s) for the change(s) of ownership.

A new city license will not be issued before the effective date of change of ownership.

Step 8.We'll update the record

A city licensing technician will update your record with the new ownership information and note it has been completed. A licensing technician will also issue a new city license. Only if the change requires a new city license to be issued and if there are no pending amendment records.

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

Applications must be complete and include all required documents. Legal documents must be properly signed and executed. All materials must be legible. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

  • A complete marijuana license change of ownership application(PDF, 370KB).
  • A copy of a valid government-issued identification for each new owner licensee associated with the license (required).
  • A copy of the organizational or corporate governance documents - bylaws, operating or partnership agreement, etc. (required).
  • A copy of the organizational chart, including the identity and ownership percentage of all owner licensees (required).
  • A copy of the asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, sales contract or any other document necessary to effectuate the change of owner (required).
  • Proof of eligibility for any social equity licensee listed in the ownership structure (required only if social equity licensees are listed in the ownership structure).
  • A copy of the new burglar alarm monitoring contract (required only if the entity name changes).
  • A copy of the new burglar alarm permit (required only if the entity name changes).
  • A copy of the new city sales tax license (required only for stores if the Employer Identification Number changes).
  • Proof of legal possession of the premises (required only if the entity name changes. If the entity name changes, the provided proof of legal possession of the premises must reflect the new entity's name).

Only one of the following must be submitted:

  • A complete possession of property certificate.
  • A deed.
  • 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.

During or after application intake, you will receive an invoice for $250 per license affected by the marijuana license change of ownership application. Make checks payable to the "Manager of Finance." You can pay in cash, or with a Visa, Discover or Mastercard. You can pay online. You can also make a payment over the phone by contacting Payments and Cashiering at 720-865-2780. Its hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If there is no answer, leave a message and ask to be called back. Payments and Cashiering is also open for in-person payments Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Hours and days of operation are subject to change without notice.)

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Contact Excise and Licenses

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

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