Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses no longer requires a city application for transfers of ownership for marijuana businesses. The Marijuana Enforcement Division’s Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application will be used to create amendment records for Denver transfers of ownership, and city licensing technicians will request additional required documents as needed. In addition, applicants must pay a $100 fee per license affected by the transfer of ownership. Checks should be made payable to the “Manager of Finance.” The city also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and cash payments.
Please review the process below and contact marijuanainfo@denvergov.org if you have questions.
Step 1: Determine whether you are required to submit a state Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application (form DR 8535). If you are unsure, please visit the state Marijuana Enforcement Division's website.
Step 2: If required, submit the Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application to the state.
Step 3: The state will send a copy of your Change of Controlling Beneficial Owner Application to Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses.
Step 4: A city licensing technician will use the state application to create amendment records for all city licenses affected by the change of ownership. The licensing technician will send you an invoice for a required fee of $100 per license affected by the change in ownership, and a letter of conditional local approval. The licensing technician will also request additional documentation, including but not limited to signed Statements of Understanding forms and, if applicable, a new lease or a city sales tax license (for stores).
Please note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the state Marijuana Enforcement Division a copy of the letter of conditional local approval. In addition to conditional local approval, the state Marijuana Enforcement Division requires some applicants to sign and submit a Schedule A Effective Date of Change of Ownership, and a new city license will not be issued before the Effective Date of Change of Ownership. For all applicants, a new city license will not be issued until a new state license is issued.
Step 5: To complete the city change of ownership and receive your new city license(s), you must submit the following documents and information to EXLApplications@denvergov.org:
- Required documentation previously requested by a licensing technician (for example, signed Statements of Understanding forms and, if applicable, a new lease or a city sales tax license);
- A receipt of proof of payment of city fees;
- Proof of state approval for the change in controlling beneficial owner(s);
- If required, a signed Schedule A Effective Date of Change of Ownership (dated appropriately);
- New state licenses for all city licenses affected by the change of ownership;
- A request to close the amendment record(s) and a request to be issued new city licenses.
Step 6: Upon immediate receipt of the above, a city licensing technician will complete the city change of ownership and issue new licenses (if needed).