Fort Collins, CO Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Section 17-191(a) prohibits any consumption of recreational marijuana that is conducted openly and publicly, while Subsection (b) bans medical marijuana consumption that is in plain view of, or in a place open to, the general public, a slightly broader standard than the recreational rule. Section 17-190 defines the operative terms narrowly: "publicly" means occurring on publicly owned property or nonresidential property open to the general public, including roadways, transportation facilities, offices, retail stores, restaurants, parks and playgrounds, while "openly" means perceptible from a place open to the general public.

Subsection (e) caps possession at one ounce of recreational marijuana or two ounces of medical marijuana regardless of location. Subsections (c) and (d) separately bar anyone under 21 from consuming or possessing recreational marijuana, and from consuming or possessing medical marijuana without a valid registry card, though Subsection (f) exempts religious use protected by the First Amendment and Subsection (g) gives underage callers 911 medical-amnesty immunity comparable to the alcohol amnesty rule. Section 17-192 separately prohibits marijuana clubs outright, and Section 17-193 bars transferring or displaying marijuana on any City-owned property, including office buildings, parks, natural areas, streets and sidewalks.