Colorado stoners had high hopes of a completely 420-friendly state with the legalization of commercial production and sale of marijuana. But their dreams of a legal cannabis Utopia haven’t been completely realized as there are many cities and counties in Colorado banning marijuana retail stores and use.
Despite original support and approval of Amendment 64 in 2012, it seems many Colorado municipalities are now passing local moratoriums to impede the operation of marijuana-related businesses and prohibit recreational use.
Below is the most current list of those cities banning retail marijuana shops and also those cities with a temporary ban while they consider a full opt-out as allowed by Amendment 64.
Cities Banning Marijuana Retail Stores:
- Arvada
- Alamosa
- Bayfield
- Bennett
- Berthoud
- Blanca
- Brighton
- Broomfield
- Buena Vista
- Burlington
- Calhan
- Castle Rock
- Centennial
- Cherry Hills Village
- Cokedale
- Colorado Springs
- Craig
- Crawford
- Dacono
- Del Norte
- Dinosaur
- Englewood
- Estes Park
- Evans
- Fairplay
- Firestone
- Florence
- Fountain
- Foxfield
- Frederick
- Fruita
- Fort Morgan
- Golden
- Greeley
- Green Mountain Falls
- Greenwood Village
- Gunnison
- Gypsum
- Haxtun
- Hayden
- Holyoke
- Hudson
- Johnstown
- Julesburg
- La Junta
- Larkspur
- Limon
- Littleton
- Lone Tree
- Longmont
- Mead
- Minturn
- Montrose
- Monument
- New Castle
- Nucla
- Palmer Lake
- Parker
- Poncha Springs
- Severance
- Silver Cliff
- Sterling
- Superior
- Thornton
- Victor
- Westcliffe
- Westminster
- Williamsburg
- Windsor
- Woodland Park
Cities with Temporary Marijuana Bans:
- Avon
- Brush
- Canyon City
- Crestone
- Erie
- Federal Heights
- Lakewood
- Lyons
- Norwood
- Palisade
- Snowmass
- Vail
And to make matters even more confusing, cities and counties are allowed to enact their own laws independent of one another. A county may ban recreational stores while cities within its boundaries can, at the same time, permit them.
To avoid confusion, be sure to check with each individual city’s website to clarify any restrictions or limitations. But regardless of city and county laws banning retail stores and recreational toking, the Colorado Constitution allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
However, the right to possess marijuana in Colorado does not apply when visiting national parks, forests, monuments, or any other federal or city-owned properties. Likewise, the Denver International Airport has banned all possession, use, display, and transfer of marijuana in any form on its property. And don’t even think about taking or using any near an elementary, middle, junior high, or high school. Marijuana is illegal within 1,000 feet of schools and within one block in either direction from the Denver 16th Street Mall. In fact, consuming marijuana in any publicly accessed location can land an individual behind bars.
Punishment for violating these restrictions ranges from minimal jail time and a $1,000 fine to full prison terms and $5,000 in fines, depending on the number of an individual’s prior offenses.
Recreational marijuana is intended for private, personal use. Penalties for marijuana-related violations can be quite severe. Please be responsible and courteous.
