Dispensary Zoning: Boulder vs Longmont
How do dispensary zoning rules compare between Boulder, CO and Longmont, CO?
Boulder has fewer restrictions than Longmont.
Boulder, CO
Boulder County
Boulder zones cannabis dispensaries in commercial and industrial areas with buffer distances from schools, parks, and residential zones. Conditional use permits typically required. Hours of operation and signage restrictions apply.
View full Boulder rules →Longmont, CO
Boulder County
Longmont has opted IN for retail marijuana sales — but on a tightly limited basis. Under LMC Chapter 6.70, the city caps retail marijuana stores at four citywide and prohibits any single entity from owning more than one. The Marijuana Licensing Authority (City Council) selected operators in 2017, and a January 28, 2025 City Council ordinance added a separate hospitality license category. Commercial cultivation, production, and testing remain entirely prohibited within Longmont — only retail sales and hospitality are allowed.
View full Longmont rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boulder | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning | Commercial/industrial | - |
| School Buffer | 600 to 1,000 feet | - |
| Permit | Conditional use required | - |
| Topic | Dispensary Zoning | - |
| City Code | - | LMC Chapter 6.70 (Marijuana Licensing) |
| Opt-In Posture | - | Retail YES (capped); cultivation/manufacturing/testing NO |
| Store Cap | - | 4 retail marijuana stores citywide |
| Ownership Limit | - | 1 store per entity |
| Hospitality Licenses | - | Added Jan 28, 2025 (Ord. O-2025-15) |
| State Buffer | - | 1,000 ft from schools/treatment (C.R.S. 44-10-303) |
| Hours | - | State: 8am-midnight; typical Longmont: 9am-9pm |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boulder FAQ
Are cannabis dispensaries allowed?
Yes, with proper zoning permits and licensing. Locations must meet buffer distance requirements from schools and parks.
How far must a dispensary be from a school?
Typically 600 to 1,000 feet from schools, daycare centers, parks, and youth facilities. Check local zoning code for exact distances.
Longmont FAQ
Can I open a marijuana dispensary in Longmont?
Not at this time. LMC Chapter 6.70 caps the city at four retail marijuana stores and that cap is currently filled, with no one entity allowed to own more than one. New applications are not being accepted until a license is surrendered or revoked. Commercial cultivation, product manufacturing, and testing facilities are entirely prohibited inside Longmont city limits.
What about a marijuana lounge or consumption venue?
Yes, on a limited basis. On January 28, 2025, City Council approved Ordinance O-2025-15 creating a marijuana hospitality license under LMC Chapter 6.70. Hospitality venues may operate as consumption-only or combined retail/consumption establishments with separate license caps and operational rules. Contact the Marijuana Licensing Authority through the City Clerk's Office at (303) 651-8650 for the current application status.
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