Licensing
Marijuana businesses in Colorado are regulated and licensed by both state and local authorities. All marijuana businesses operating in unincorporated Boulder County are regulated by, and required to obtain their local license from, the Marijuana Licensing Authority with Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting.
Boulder County does not issue licenses for the incorporated towns and cities (e.g., Boulder, Nederland) located in Boulder County. Please reach out to the applicable jurisdiction for questions about marijuana related businesses in their jurisdiction.
- City of Boulder – 303-441-4192
- City of Longmont – 303-651-8649
- City of Louisville – 303-335-4574
- City of Lafayette – 303-661-1227
- Town of Nederland – 303-258-3266
It is required to obtain all applicable planning approvals from Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting for the proposed location prior to applying for a marijuana license. Please call an On-Call Planner at 303-441-3930, or email planner@bouldercounty.gov, to discuss the proposed location, the type of marijuana business, and what planning process is necessary, if required.
After the planning approval has been obtained, the marijuana license can then be applied for. Please fill out the applicable application form found in the forms section below and submit that along with all required documentation, to MarijuanaLicensing@bouldercounty.gov. Our licensing staff will call to collect payment of fees once the application materials are reviewed and complete.
All marijuana businesses should apply for their state license with the State of Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). Information about the State of Colorado MED can be found at the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division webpage.
All employees in the marijuana industry must obtain a Marijuana Employee license with the State of Colorado MED. Information on Marijuana Employee licenses can be found at the Colorado Marijuana Employment License webpage.
Types of Medical Marijuana Licenses and Permits
Boulder County issues the following types of marijuana licenses and permits:
- Medical Marijuana Store license
- Medical Marijuana Cultivation license
- Medical Marijuana Products Manufacturer license
- Medical Marijuana Testing Facility license
- Medical Marijuana Transporter license
- Retail Marijuana Store license
- Retail Marijuana Cultivation license
- Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer license
- Retail Marijuana Testing Facility license
- Retail Marijuana Transporter license
- Off-Premises Storage permit
- Marijuana Research and Development license
To submit a license or permit application, please submit the appropriate application form from our forms section below, along with all required documentation.
Residential Marijuana Cultivation
Residential marijuana cultivation and processing is an accessory use to a residential use in unincorporated areas of Boulder County. Marijuana grown as part of this use is intended to be grown by and for those living on the parcel, not for sale or provision to others. View residential marijuana cultivation information.
Boulder County Marijuana Licensing Regulations
Boulder County Marijuana Licensing Regulations
Forms for Boulder County Marijuana Licensing
Additional Business Owners
BCEIOF Participation Agreement
Yearly Sustainability Report
New Application Checklist
New Marijuana Business
Off-Premises Storage Permit Application
Renewal Application
Report of Changes
Fee Schedule
Applications may be emailed to MarijuanaLicensing@bouldercounty.gov or mailed with payment to the address provided below. If emailing your application, we will contact you for payment.
Questions or Complaints
Before giving us a call please check out our Marijuana FAQs
If you still have questions or complaints regarding a marijuana business in unincorporated Boulder County, please email MarijuanaLicensing@bouldercounty.gov.
If you have questions or complaints about zoning, Land Use code compliance, unlicensed grows, or caregiver operations, please contact Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting at 303-441-3930.
To report criminal activity please contact the Marijuana Enforcement Division Tip Line at 855-277-7500.
Past Public Meetings
BOCC Public Hearing, November 30, 2023
Boulder County Marijuana Industry Meetings
- Feb. 20, 2024
- August 28, 2023 – Discussion with the marijuana industry about upcoming regulation changes.