Resources and support for social equity applicants

Through a competitive bidding process, the city has selected The Color of Cannabis as its program partner providing training and technical assistance to aspiring social equity cannabis entrepreneurs. Individuals who have obtained a finding of suitability as a social equity applicant are eligible to apply for this free technical assistance program. Learn more about this program and how to apply.

Download program flier(PDF, 3MB)

On Nov. 5, 2022, the Office of Marijuana Policy in conjunction with the state of Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and Cannabis Business Office hosted a cannabis social equity opportunities conference. More than 200 potential social equity applicants attended the event. Handouts, resources and other materials from the event can be accessed here.

• Sign up for Denver’s marijuana information bulletin 
• Sign up for the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s email list

• Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 6 Article V – Denver Marijuana Code 
• Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s regulated marijuana rules 
• Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s social equity website 

• This webpage has a link to a map. To enter an address where you lived for 15 years between 1980 and 2010 to see if it is in a disproportionate impacted area or an opportunity zone.  
• There is also a link to a median income table to help understand whether you might qualify under the income criteria.

• Video of social equity information session – May 4, 2021 
• Video of social equity information session – May 6, 2021 
• Slides from social equity information sessions(PDF, 2MB)
• Video of introduction to new marijuana websites webinar - July 1, 2021
• Slides from marijuana delivery information session - July 27, 2021(PDF, 996KB)
• Video of marijuana delivery information session - July 27, 2021
• Slides from marijuana delivery FAQ session - Aug 27, 2021(PDF, 1016KB)
• Video of marijuana delivery FAQ session - Aug 27, 2021
• Slides from marijuana hospitality information session - Dec 14, 2021(PDF, 821KB)
• Video of marijuana hospitality information session - Dec 14, 2021

• Denver Office of Economic Development and Opportunity 
• Colorado Cannabis Business Office

The following is a non-exhaustive guide to technical and financial assistance programs and educational resources available to cannabis entrepreneurs at no cost. Listing in this guide does not imply an endorsement of a program or its contents by the City and County of Denver. If you know of a free technical or financial assistance program or other educational resource that should be listed, email marijuanainfo@denvergov.org. 

Technical assistance programs 

Colorado Cannabis Technical Assistance Program 

Self-paced online coursework focused on the foundations of cannabis business development. Learn more about this program provided by the Colorado Cannabis Business Office.

Weedmaps Social Equity Program 

Free business support tools for social equity licensees. Sign up or email socialequity@weedmaps.com to learn more. 

Eaze Momentum Program 

Twelve-week educational program with grant funding. Learn more about the program. Applications are closed for 2022. Check back in 2023. 

Financial assistance programs 

Colorado Cannabis Business Pilot Grant 

Funding opportunity for social equity cannabis businesses that have been awarded, or are actively pursuing, a marijuana business license. Learn more about this program and sign up for the Cannabis Business Office newsletter to be notified when applications open.  

Webinars and other educational resources 

Webinar: Cannabis Accounting 101: Intro to Accounting for Social Equity Operators 

Hosted by Vicente Sederberg LLP – Watch a recording of the webinar. 

Webinar: Cannabis Real Estate Considerations 

Hosted by Vicente Sederberg LLP – Watch a recording of the webinar.  

Webinar: Hot Topics for Accounting and Tax for the Cannabis Industry 

Hosted by the National Cannabis Industry Association – Watch a recording of the webinar.  

Guide: Colorado Business Resource Book  

Published by the Colorado Business Development Foundation and the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, the Colorado Business Resource Book details information about the basics of starting a business in Colorado. 

Guide: Business Startup Checklist 

Published by Denver’s Office of Economic Development and Opportunity, the Business Startup Checklist covers the basics of starting a business in Denver.

• Marijuana facility location guide(PDF, 400KB) 
• MED compliance tools
• Advertising guidance for marijuana businesses(PDF, 181KB)