Cannabis Regulations in Denver, CO (2026)
5 verified cannabis regulations for Denver, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Home Cultivation
Colorado Amendment 64 and state law allow adults 21 and older to cultivate up to six marijuana plants per person at home, with a maximum of twelve plants per household regardless of the number of residents. Denver's DRMC Chapter 6, Article V regulates marijuana-related activities within city limits, including home cultivation requirements.
Denver Cannabis Home Cultivation Rules
Some RestrictionsDispensary Zoning
Denver regulates marijuana dispensary locations through DRMC Chapter 6, Article V and the Denver Zoning Code. Dispensaries must maintain buffer distances from schools, childcare centers, and other dispensaries. Denver issues limited licenses for both medical and recreational retail marijuana establishments and requires compliance with both state Marijuana Enforcement Division rules and local zoning.
Denver Cannabis Dispensary Zoning
Heavy RestrictionsBuffer Zones
Denver Revised Municipal Code section 6-205 requires every retail and medical marijuana dispensary to be at least 1000 feet from K-12 schools, child care, drug-treatment centers, and other dispensaries. Existing licenses may renew under grandfathering when buffers later changed.
Denver dispensaries need 1000-foot school buffer DRMC 6-205
Heavy RestrictionsCommercial Cannabis Zoning
DRMC 6-205 plus Denver Zoning Code chapter 59 restrict marijuana stores to specific commercial and main-street zones. Cultivation and manufacturing are limited to industrial districts. Hospitality businesses follow additional location restrictions adopted in 2021 social-use rules.
Denver cannabis businesses limited to commercial industrial zones
Some RestrictionsLooking for Denver County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denver city rules.
Cannabis Regulations in Denver County →
Social Equity Licensing
Since 2021 Denver has reserved new cannabis store, delivery, hospitality, and transporter licenses exclusively for Social Equity Applicants under DRMC chapter 6. Eligibility tracks Colorado HB21-1090 criteria: low income, prior cannabis arrest, or impacted neighborhood residency.
Denver Marijuana Social Equity Program prioritizes impacted applicants
Few Restrictions