Apply online for a transfer of ownership of a marijuana business

Picture of a marijuana plant

Overview of requirements

A complete transfer of ownership application must be submitted when:

  • An entity's Employer Identification Number changes

Submit a transfer of ownership application online

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.

The seller and buyer must have accounts in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. Parties can register for an account with the link above. To start the transfer of ownership, the seller will need to provide the buyer's email address that the buyer used to register their account.

Step 3.Gather all required documents

Applications for transfers of ownership 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 accept other file types.
  • Legal documents must be 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 transfer of ownership of your licensed establishment, look at the "License Type" column. Find the row that has the licensed establishment, record name and address that you want to transfer. In the right column, click on "Amendment."
  • Select "Initiate Transfer of Ownership" and click "Continue Application."
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."
  • Select the licenses you will transfer and click "Continue Application."
  • Provide the email address for the buyer. This should be the email address the buyer used to create their account in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center. The system will confirm this information. The buyer's first and last name will appear. If the buyer does not have an account or the seller provides an incorrect email address, you will not be able to proceed.
  • Click "Continue Application."

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center, the buyer must:

  • Log in to Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center.
  • Under Business, Short-Term Rental, and Occupational Licensing, click "Renew or Manage." This will take you to the "My Records" page.
  • To continue the transfer of ownership of the license(s), in the "License Type" column, find the row that has the transfer ownership, record name and address that will be transferred. In the right column, click on "Resume Application."
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."
  • This will begin and guide the buyer through the application process.

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:

  • A licensed establishment transfer of ownership record. This will capture information about where your business plans to operate (the new location) and which licenses you want to transfer.

Step 6.Pay the required fees

After submitting your complete 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 listed 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 pay fees online with a Discover, Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card.
  • You can pay online from a bank account. To do so, 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 emailed or mailed 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 several deficiencies or errors will take longer to process. Check to be sure all required documents are valid, legible and accurate prior to applying.

Applicants will receive status updates about their applications. Do not contact the Department to request 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

On the effective date of change of ownership, you should receive final (not contingent) approval for the transfer of ownership from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division. On the effective date of change of ownership, email EXLApplications@Denvergov.org, and include:

  • Proof of final state approval. Proof of final state approval indicates that the requested transfer of ownership was approved and, in general, indicates that the change of ownership is effective immediately. A Contingent Approval Letter Pursuant to Rule 2-245(3) is not final approval.
  • A request to close the amendment record ID number(s) (20XX-COMBINEDAMEND-XXXXXXX) for the affected Business File Number(s) (20XX-BFN-XXXXXXX).

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 available in your online account.

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 signed and executed. All materials must be legible. Incomplete applications will be rejected. You must provide:

  • Information for controlling beneficial owner (natural persons and entities) who will be associated with the license. This includes every owner licensee's:
  • Name
  • Home address
  • Date of birth or date of incorporation for entities
  • Position or title
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Percentage owned
  • State owner licensee number
  • Social equity licensee status
  • Ethnicity (voluntary)*
  • Race (voluntary)*
  • Gender (voluntary)*
  • Certificate of taxes due(PDF, 793KB)
  • The new business' Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • A copy of a valid government-issued identification for each controlling beneficial owner (natural person) associated with the license, directly or through an entity.
  • An organizational chart to clarify ownership structure.
  • A copy of organizational or corporate governance documents - bylaws, operating or partnership agreement, and certificate of trade name.
  • A copy of the asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, sales contract or any other document necessary to effectuate the change of owner.
  • 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 in the new entity's name.
  • A copy of the new burglar alarm permit in the new entity's name.
  • A copy of the new city sales tax license in the new entity's name (required only for stores).
  • Proof of legal possession of the premises in the new entity's name. Only one of the following must be submitted:
    • A complete possession of property certificate(PDF, 262KB) (recommended).
    • 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.

*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: 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 business' licenses and applications. This information will be used by city agencies to contact the business.
  • Mailing address: Provide a mailing address for this licensed establishment and company.
  • Onsite manager: Provide the first name, last name, date of birth, home address, email address and phone number for the onsite manager for the licensed establishment and business. An onsite manager is anyone 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.