Lakewood, CO Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Lakewood Municipal Code Ch. 5.06
- School buffer
- 500 feet, property line to property line
- License term
- One year, renewable
- Minimum age to handle product
- 18 years
- First offense penalty
- 7-day suspension
- Third offense penalty
- License revocation
Summary
Selling any non-cigarette tobacco or vape product in Lakewood, Colorado without a City Clerk-issued retailer license is unlawful under Municipal Code Ch. 5.06. Licenses are barred within 500 feet of a school, self-service displays are prohibited, and repeat violations escalate to a 30-day suspension or revocation.
A.Non-cigarette tobacco product retailer license required.1.It is unlawful for any person to act as a non-cigarette tobacco product retailer in the City of Lakewood without first obtaining and maintaining a valid license pursuant to this chapter for each location where non-cigarette tobacco product retailing occurs.2.No license shall be issued to authorize non-cigarette tobacco product retailing anywhere other than at the fixed location designated in the license application and approved license. Non-cigarette tobacco product retailing from vehicles is prohibited.3.Except as provided in this subparagraph, no license shall be issued to authorize non-cigarette product retailing within 500 feet of a school, as measured by a straight line from the nearest point of the property line of the site of the school to the nearest point of the property line of the site of the business premises proposed for licensure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 14 | Zoning Ordinance: ?).
Full Breakdown
030(A)(1)). 020). 030(A)(2)-(3)). 030(A)(4), (C)(2)). 040). 060). 070). 080). 110).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license, self-service displays, or selling to a minor triggers license suspension or revocation after a show-cause hearing before a City Manager-appointed hearing officer, plus general penalty prosecution under the Municipal Code (§ 5.06.130). The chapter's own suspension guidelines run a seven-day suspension for a first offense within three years, 30 days for a second, and revocation for a third or subsequent offense (§ 5.06.120(F)). A license once revoked bars reapplication for one year (§ 5.06.030(C)(1)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell vapes from a kiosk near a school in Lakewood?
Does Lakewood's tobacco retailer license cover cigarettes?
What happens after a first violation of Lakewood's tobacco licensing rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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