Applicable Laws Regarding Regulated Marijuana#

This page provides an overview of the City of Fort Collins's marijuana laws, rules, and regulations, information about current marijuana policy development, and a history of marijuana policy in Fort Collins. 

Any form of business involving marijuana in Fort Collins requires a license or permit. There are several medical and retail marijuana business licenses. Each type has different privileges, requirements, and rules. Businesses that do not follow the rules could be fined, face disciplinary action, or lose their license. 

In November 2012, Colorado voters approved an amendment (Amendment 64) to the state constitution that makes the personal use, possession, and limited home-growing of marijuana legal under Colorado law for adults 21 years of age and older. Amendment 64 also required the State to establish a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol.

The possession and use of marijuana remain a crime under federal law. Persons who use marijuana for recreational purposes are subject to criminal prosecution under federal law.

Effective January 1, 2020, The Colorado Marijuana code was consolidated from Articles 11 (Medical) and 12 (Retail) into a single Article 10 (Regulated Marijuana)

Colorado Revised Statutes: Title 44 Article 10: Regulated Marijuana-Colorado Marijuana Code

State Laws And Regulations#

• Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division - Marijuana Regulations
• Title 39, Article 28.8, Colorado Revised Statutes (taxes on marijuana)

CO Marijuana Enforcement Division Rules

Local Laws And Rules/Regulations#

• Chapter 15, Article XVII of the City Code (regulation of retail marijuana businesses)
• Chapter 12, Article IX of the City Code (cultivation of marijuana for personal use)
• Chapter 17, Article XI of the City Code (marijuana offenses)
• Please review the Zoning Website first about your proposed marijuana property before submitting an application. Note: if Planning/Zoning/Building indicates applications and approvals are needed, those MUST be completed prior to application submission. Please refer to the City of Fort Collins Building Services page found here.
• For more detailed information about zoning restrictions, visit our interactive zoning map.

City Code: Marijuana Regulation: Article XVI (medical) and Article XVII (retail)Chapter

History of marijuana and hemp policy in Fort Collins#

A timeline: marijuana legalization and highlights in the City of Fort Collins

2000

• Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, legalizing medical marijuana

2009

• City of Fort Collins adopted a moratorium on the issuance of city sales tax licenses for medical stores

2010

• Fort Collins adopted the Medical Marijuana Code and Land Use Code for all medical marijuana

2011

• City of Fort Collins: Citizen Initiative to ban marijuana and stop operating by February 14, 2012
• City Amended the Land Use  Code by adding Medical Marijuana-Infused Product facilities in various zone districts

2012

• Colorado voters approve Amendment 64 legalizing retail marijuana for adult use and directing the state to establish a regulatory structure for retail marijuana. 
• City of Fort Collins Citizen initiative to repeal the ban and reinstate medical marijuana and limit

2014

• the City of Fort Collins adopts the retail marijuana code

2015-2016

• Amend code to allow the sale/distribution of retail marijuana
• Amend Retail marijuana code for hours of operation

2017

• The City of Fort Collins added a ballot question to allow City Council to amend the local medical marijuana code

2018-2019

• Amend the retail marijuana code to align with state law, rules, and regulations
• CO Farm Bill passes Hemp. Gives municipalities the right to establish local licensing. 
• the City of Fort Collins added a new article relating to the cultivation and extraction of hemp

2020

• Colorado Marijuana code is now one article 10. 
• the City of Fort Collins amends the retail marijuana code to clarify and align the city code with state law
• The City of Fort Collins clarifies the extraction of hemp within dwellings
• Social Equity Bill (HB20-1424) Licensees in Regulated Marijuana, aims to enhance equity efforts by allowing greater access to marijuana business ownership and operations to individuals impacted by economic barriers and/or now outdated marijuana laws by reducing fees and initiating new programs
  • Social Equity Program: Established a "Social Equity License", expanded on the Accelerator Program, and provided rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue to create and implement a social equity program administered by the MED. Also provided the Governor with expedited pardon authority for marijuana possession offenses(opens in new window).

2021

• the City of Fort Collins amends the retail marijuana code to update, clarify and align the city code with state law

2022

• City of Fort Collins City Manager administratively approves fees relating to regulated marijuana business licenses for Social Equity Applicants