Fort Collins's Cannabis Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles cannabis regulations a little differently. In Fort Collins, Colorado, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Buffer Zones

Fort Collins keeps medical marijuana stores away from places children and vulnerable residents gather. City Code § 15-475 bars a store location within 1,000 feet of any school, college, or public playground, and within 500 feet of a child care center, place of worship, park, pool, recreation facility, or halfway house, correctional, or treatment facility.

Key details: School/college buffer: 1,000 feet, § 15-475(a)(1). Playground buffer: 1,000 feet, § 15-475(a)(2). Other protected uses: 500 feet: child care, worship, parks, halfway houses. Measurement: Straight line, nearest property line to nearest building. Grandfather clause: Pre-November 1, 2011 stores exempt on same parcel.

A location that falls inside any buffer is grounds for the Marijuana Licensing Authority to deny the application outright under § 15-473. Operating, or seeking to relocate, in violation of the location criteria can also support suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal of an existing license under § 15-486 after notice and a hearing. Any person who violates the Article, including a licensee, manager, employee, or customer, is guilty of a misdemeanor under § 15-487, punishable per § 1-15.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Collins actively enforces its buffer zones requirements.

Dispensary Zoning

Fort Collins keeps retail marijuana stores out of most residential zones. City Code § 15-615(a)(4) blocks a store from the RUL, UE, RF, RL, LMN, MMN, OT, and HMN zone districts, from any residential unit, and from within 500 feet of a residential unit or 1,000 feet of another marijuana store, leaving commercial and industrial districts as the main viable locations.

Key details: Excluded zones: RUL, UE, RF, RL, LMN, MMN, OT, HMN. Residential buffer: 500 feet from any residential unit. Store spacing: 1,000 feet from another marijuana store. City stance: Opted in; licenses issued under Article XVII. Licensing authority: Retail Marijuana Licensing Authority, Chief Municipal Judge.

A store proposed for an excluded zone district or within the residential or store-to-store buffers will have its application denied under § 15-613. An operating store found out of compliance can face suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal after notice and hearing, and any person who violates the Article, including a licensee or employee, is guilty of a misdemeanor under § 15-624, punishable per § 1-15.

Compared to other cities, Fort Collins takes a harder line on dispensary zoning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Fort Collins is tougher than many cities when it comes to cannabis regulations. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fort Collins, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Fort Collins can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.