HomeMy WebLinkAbout08750ORDINANCE NO. 8750
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XI OF THE PUEBLO
MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER
11, RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF RETAIL MARIJUANA
CULTIVATION FACILITIES, PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS AND
TESTING FACILITIES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE
VIOLATION THEREOF
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
Title XI, Pueblo Municipal Code, is hereby amended to read and include a new Chapter
11, Retail Marijuana, Sec. 11-11-101, et seq., a copy of which is attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2.
Any person who violates any provision of Chapter 11 of Title XI, Pueblo Mun. Code or
fails, neglects or refuses to perform any act required under said Chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, be guilty of a Class 1 municipal offense and shall be punished by a fine of not more
than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both
such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 3.
The officers of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts
consistent with the intent of this Ordinance and to effectuate the policies and procedures
described herein.
SECTION 4.
This Ordinance shall become effective upon final passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: June 9, 2014
BY: Ami Nawrocki
COUNCILPERSON
PASSED AND APPROVED: June 23, 2014
CHAPTER 11
Retail Marijuana
Article I
General
Sec. 11-11-101. Findings and purpose.
City Council finds that the cultivation, possession, sale and use of retail marijuana may
be harmful to public health, safety and welfare if not carefully regulated. This Chapter is
designed to protect public health, safety and welfare from the potential adverse effects of retail
marijuana, while permitting retail marijuana to be cultivated, manufactured, tested, possessed,
sold and used in accordance with law. City Council further finds and declares that the subject
matter of this Chapter is a matter of local and municipal interest.
Sec. 11-11-102. Incorporation of general licensing provisions.
The provisions of Chapter 1, Title IX, Pueblo Municipal Code, shall apply to this Chapter
except where they may be inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter.
Sec. 11-11-103. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply throughout this Chapter:
(1) The definitions contained in Article XVIII, Section 16, Colorado Constitution and
Section 12-43.4-103, C.R.S., shall apply to this Chapter except where this Chapter provides a
different definition or the context of this Chapter makes it clear that the statutory or
constitutional definition does not apply.
(2) Adjacent grounds: means all areas that the licensee has a right to possess by
virtue of his or her ownership or lease, which are outside the enclosed licensed premises, but
adjacent and contiguous to the licensed premises, including but not limited to porches, patios,
decks, entryways, lawns, parking lots and similar areas and all fixed and portable things in those
areas, including but not limited to lights, signs, speakers and security devices.
(3) Approve a license: means to find that the requirements for a license have been
met, but does not give the applicant the right to operate a retail marijuana facility until the license
is issued.
(4) Authority: means the Pueblo Retail Marijuana Licensing Authority.
(5) Character and record: includes all aspects of a person's character and record,
including but not limited to moral character, criminal record, serious traffic offenses, record of
previous sanctions against liquor licenses, medical marijuana licenses, retail marijuana licenses
or other licenses, which the person owned, in whole or in part, or in which the person served as a
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principal, manager or employee; education, training, experience, civil judgments, truthfulness,
honesty and financial responsibility. The conviction of any person for any offense shall not, in
itself, be grounds for a finding of bad character and record if such person demonstrates that he or
she has been rehabilitated, but rehabilitation shall not be considered if a provision in this Chapter
declares that the offense is a per se disqualification.
(6) Complaint: means a document filed with the Authority by the City, any of
its Departments or the Authority itself, seeking sanctions against a retail marijuana license.
(7) Contiguous: means located within the same building as the retail marijuana
establishment, located in a separate building on the same parcel of land as the retail marijuana
establishment, or located in a separate building on a separate parcel of land that is adjacent to and
shares at least fifty percent (50%) of a common lot line with the lot on which the retail marijuana
establishment is located.
(8) Employee: means the licensee's or proposed licensee's employees.
(9) Financier: means any person lending, paying or providing funds, directly or
indirectly, to pay any part of the costs of: (a) operating the retail marijuana facility, including
but not limited to the costs of rent, mortgage payments, utilities, debt payments, supplies,
product, equipment, advertising, vehicles, salary and wages; or (b) purchasing an ownership
interest, in any form, in the licensee business.
(10) Harm or harmful to public health, safety or welfare: means any matter that
adversely affects the health, safety or welfare of any person or group of persons within the City
of Pueblo or any adjacent community, including but not limited to matters related to crime,
lighting, security, traffic, graffiti, loitering, litter, parking and noise. A showing of actual harm
shall not be required and a showing of potential or threatened harm shall be sufficient. Any
violation of any criminal statute or ordinance is per se substantially harmful to public health,
safety and welfare, without any showing of actual or threatened harm. The mere possession,
advertising, sale, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, processing, smoking or ingestion of retail
marijuana and retail marijuana products, when performed lawfully, shall not in itself be
considered harmful to public health, safety and welfare.
(11) In public: means any area that the public may generally enter, including any
business open to the public. The term includes the licensed premises and the adjacent grounds.
The term includes persons in motor vehicles located in a public place.
(12) Issue a license: means to finalize the license after a previous approval of the
license, and may or may not occur after approval of the license, depending on any completions,
inspections, approvals or conditions that the Authority may require to be satisfied before
issuance. Issuance gives the licensee the right to operate a retail marijuana establishment,
provided that the licensee also obtains a State license.
(13) Licensee: means the person or entity holding a retail marijuana license under this
Chapter.
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(14) Licensed premises: means the area inside a building in which the
cultivation, manufacture, testing, processing, infusion, possession, weighing, display, packaging,
sale and exchange of retail marijuana or marijuana infused products is licensed under this
Chapter.
(15) Marijuana or retail marijuana: except where the context clearly indicates
otherwise, means growing marijuana plants, harvested marijuana in any condition and retail
marijuana products of all kinds.
(16) Retail marijuana establishment: means a retail marijuana cultivation facility, a
retail marijuana products manufacturer or a retail marijuana testing facility.
(17) Retail marijuana license: means any of the licenses described in Section 11-11-
302 of this Chapter.
(18) Operate or operation: means the matters described in Section 11-11-307(a)(3) and
(a)(4) of this Chapter.
(19) Permit: when used as a verb means to:
a. Participate in or contribute to an act, conduct or omission;
b. Consent to or condone an act, conduct or omission;
c. Know or have reason to know that an act, conduct or omission is or may
be occurring, or probably will occur unless steps are taken to prevent the same, and
failing to take reasonable steps to halt, thwart or prevent the same; or
d. Ignore, avoid knowledge or notice of, or turn a blind eye to an act, conduct
or omission that may be occurring.
(20) Person: means any natural person or any entity.
(21) Principal: means:
a. In the case of any entity, including any general or limited partnership,
corporation, limited liability company or other entity: any person who has an interest in
the ownership of the entity; any person who has the day to day authority to or actually
does manage the entity any person who responsible for the entity's finances.
b. In the case of a corporation: the president, vice-president, secretary, chief
executive officer, chief financial officer and any person who holds or owns the capital
stock of the corporation.
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c. In the case of a limited liability company: any manager or member of the
limited liability company.
d. In the case of a sole proprietorship, the individual owner.
(22) Serious traffic offense: means any driving offense carrying eight points or more
under Section 42-2-127, C.R.S., or the substantial equivalent of such offense in any other State.
Sec. 11-11-104. Time.
The word “days” as used in this Chapter means calendar days.
Sec. 11-11-105. Certain confidential matters not public records.
(a) The following materials contained in the files and records of the Authority and the
City shall be confidential and shall not be public records:
(1) The records described in Section 11-11-319 of this Chapter;
(2) The results of the inspection of books, records and audits conducted under
Section 11-11- 320 of this Chapter;
(3) The results of inspections conducted under Section 11-11-321 of this Chapter;
(4) Responses to requests for information made under Section 11-11-322 of this
Chapter;
(b) The confidentiality of the matters described in Subsection (a) of this Section shall
not prevent any City or State employee from accessing and reviewing such records if necessary
or desirable as part of their assigned duties.
Sec. 11-11-106. No private duties, cause of action or remedies.
Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be construed as creating, directly or indirectly,
any duty between private persons, a private cause of action or any private legal remedy.
Sec. 11-11-107. Construction and severability.
Any court of competent jurisdiction construing or applying this Chapter shall seek a
saving construction and application that makes the provisions of this Chapter constitutional and
legal. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision in this
Chapter violates any constitutional, statutory or other right, despite the court's saving
construction and application, the Court shall strike the unlawful provision only and sever the
same from the remainder of this Chapter, which shall remain valid and effective.
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Article II
Retail Marijuana Licensing Authority
Sec. 11-11-201. Licensing authority.
City Council shall by resolution appoint a Board to serve as the Retail Marijuana
Licensing Authority.
Sec. 11-11-202. Members of Board.
(a) The Board appointed by City Council to serve as the Authority shall consist of
five (5) members, who shall be residents of the City. Five (5) members shall be initially
appointed for staggered terms expiring on the first day of July as follows: one (1) member for a
one-year term, one (1) member for a two-year term, one (1) member for a three-year term, and
two (2) members for four-year terms. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a term of
four (4) years. At the Board's first regular meeting and on the anniversary of the first meeting
and each year thereafter, the Board shall appoint one (1) of its members to act as Chair of the
Board. The City Council shall make an appointment for any unexpired term in the event a
vacancy arises.
(b) Any member of the Board may be removed by the City Council for nonattendance
to duty or for cause. Any member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the
Board shall be removed from the Board, unless the City Council excuses any such absences.
Sec. 11-11-203. Powers of Authority.
(a) The Authority shall have the following powers:
(1) To issue or deny Retail marijuana licenses and renewals of the same
within the City.
(2) To impose sanctions on any license issued by the Authority on its own
motion or on complaint by the City for any violation by the licensee after investigation
and public hearing at which the licensee shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard.
(3) To issue approvals and disapprovals as provided in this Chapter.
(4) To conduct hearings, grant or deny motions, make findings and orders,
administer oaths, and issue subpoenas to require the presence of persons and the
production of papers, books and records necessary to the determination of any hearing
which it is authorized to conduct.
(5) To control the mode, manner and order of all proceedings and hearings.
(6) To adopt rules, procedures and policies for its own proceedings.
(7) To adopt rules and policies for filing applications and requests.
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(8) To adopt application forms and submission requirements, including a
requirement that applications, complaints and other documents be filed in a digital format
approved by the Authority and to refuse applications, complaints and other documents
not filed in the approved digital format.
(9) To perform any act that the Authority is authorized to perform under this
Chapter.
(10) To perform any other act that may be implied or necessary to carry out any
act that the Authority is authorized to perform under this Chapter.
(b) In the event that any person, in the immediate presence of the Authority or within
its sight or hearing, while the Authority is in session during a hearing, commits a direct contempt
of the Authority by speech, gesture or conduct which disobeys a lawful order of the Authority,
shows gross disrespect to the Authority tending to bring the Authority into public ridicule, or
substantially interferes with the Authority's proceedings, the Authority may hold such person in
contempt. Contemptuous conduct by any principal, registered manager or employee shall be
imputed to the licensee.
(c) The Authority may impose the following sanctions for contempt:
(1) Removal of the person committing the contempt from the proceedings, the
hearing room and its environs;
(2) Public censure, which shall be made a matter of the licensee's record and
may be used as an aggravating factor in determining any fine, suspension or revocation;
(3) A prohibition against the individual or licensee introducing into the record
testimony, documents, exhibits or other evidence;
(4) An order striking, disregarding and refusing to consider pleadings,
applications, documents, objections, testimony, exhibits or other evidence or arguments
already introduced by such person;
(5) A fine, enforced by suspension of the license until the fine is paid;
(6) Default of any motion, complaint or other action then pending against the
licensee; or
(7) Denial of any application by the licensee then pending before the
Authority.
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Sec. 11-11-204. Quorum and majority vote.
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business. All
decisions of the Board shall be by majority vote of the Board members present at a meeting
where a quorum has been established.
Sec. 11-11-205. Appeal of Authority decisions.
Actions taken by the Authority are subject to review by the Courts pursuant to Rule 106
of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. Review must be applied for within twenty eight (28)
days after the date of decision. Any person applying to the Court for review shall be required to
pay the cost of preparing a transcript of proceedings before the Authority whenever such a
transcript is necessary for purposes of the appeal.
Article III
Licenses
Sec. 11-11-301. Licenses and permit required.
(a) No person shall operate a retail marijuana establishment unless he or she has first
obtained the following and maintains the same in full force and effect:
(1) A conditional use permit from the City for the location of the proposed
licensed premises;
(2) The necessary City sales and use tax license and excise tax license;
(3) The necessary State sales and use tax license and excise tax license;
(4) Ownership of, or a lease in effect on, the proposed licensed premises;
(5) A City license to operate any other business that will be conducted on the
licensed premises;
(6) A City license to operate a retail marijuana establishment; and
(7) A State license to operate a retail marijuana establishment.
(b) No person may apply for a license to operate a retail marijuana establishment
until he or she has first met the requirements stated in (a)(1) through (5) of this Section.
Sec. 11-11-302. Classes of Retail marijuana licenses.
The Authority may issue the following licenses for retail marijuana establishments,
granting the privileges described in Title 12, Article 43.4, C.R.S., subject to the requirements,
conditions, qualifications, and limitations set forth in this Chapter:
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(1) Retail marijuana cultivation facility;
(2) Retail marijuana products manufacturer; and
(3) Retail marijuana testing facility.
Sec. 11-11-303. Nature of license.
(a) Every license issued under this Chapter confers only a limited and conditional
privilege subject to the requirements, conditions, limitations and qualifications of this Chapter
and State law. The license does not confer a property right of any kind. The license and the
privilege created by the license may be further regulated, limited or completely extinguished at
the discretion of City Council or the electorate of the City, as provided in this Chapter, without
any compensation to the licensee.
(b) Every license approved or issued under this Chapter shall be subject to the future
exercise of the reserved rights of referendum and initiative, exercise of the options described in
Section 16 (5) (f) of Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution and Section 12-43.4-104 (3),
C.R.S., and any other future ordinances adopted by a vote of the people of the City of Pueblo or
City Council. Nothing contained in this Chapter grants to any licensee any vested right to
continue operating under the provisions of this Chapter as they existed at the time the license was
approved or issued, and every license shall be subject to any ordinance or prohibition adopted
after the license was approved or issued.
(c) In the event that the people of the City of Pueblo, by a majority of the registered
electors of the City, at a regular or special election, or a majority of City Council, vote to prohibit
by ordinance the licensing and operation of retail marijuana establishments within the City of
Pueblo, pursuant to Section 16 (5) (f) of Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution and Section
12-43.4-104 (3), C.R.S., then every license issued or approved under this Chapter, which is
prohibited under such ordinance, shall be deemed void and the operation of any retail marijuana
establishment prohibited under the ordinance shall become illegal on the effective day of the
ordinance.
(d) Every license is separate and distinct and is tied to a specific location with
specific conditions. The license cannot be assigned, delegated, sold, inherited or otherwise
transferred between persons or transferred to a different location, except as provided in this
Chapter. No licensee shall exercise the privileges of any other license or delegate the privileges
of its own license.
(e) The licenses issued under this Chapter consist of a limited and conditional
privilege to operate a retail marijuana establishment, provided that the licensee also obtains a
State license. The license certificate issued by the Clerk of the Authority is merely evidence that
a license was issued and is not the license itself. Assignment or conveyance of the license
certificate alone does not transfer any right to the license.
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Sec. 11-11-304. Fees.
(a) Applicants shall pay the following fees to the City of Pueblo in addition to any
fees payable to the State:
Application Fees
(1)Application packet for new license: $25.00.
(2) Application for new license for retail marijuana establishments:
(A) Licenses converted from medical marijuana businesses: $250.00
(to be received from the State of Colorado before the application is deemed
complete).
(B) Licenses not converted from medical marijuana businesses:
$2,500.00 (to be received from the State of Colorado before the application is
deemed complete).
Operating Fees
(b) Operating fees and all other fees necessary for the administration, regulation, and
implementation of this Chapter are as follows and are to be paid to the City of Pueblo, in
addition to any fees payable to the State:
1. Initial Operating Fees are to be paid upon issuance of the initial license by
the Authority:
(A) Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility: $5,000.00 plus $.50 per
square foot of the portion of the licensed premises in which plants are located but
said Initial Operating Fee shall not exceed a total of $15,000.00.
(B) Retail Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility: $6,000.00.
(C) Retail Marijuana Testing Facility: $1,500.00.
2. Administrative Operating Fees:
(A) Transfer of location: $750.00.
(B) Change of principals or ownership: $300.00.
(C) Change in operational plan: $300.00.
(D) Registration of manager: $100.00.
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(E) Modification of premises: $400.00.
(F) Report of minor change: $100.00.
(G) Late renewal fee: $500.00.
(H) License extension fee: $150.00 for each 30 day period or portion
thereof.
3. Annual Operating Renewal Fees are to be paid upon issuance of the
annual license renewals by the Authority:
(A) Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility: $5,000.00 plus $.50 per
square foot of the portion of the licensed premises in which plants are located but
said Annual Operating Renewal Fee shall not exceed a total of $15,000.00.
(B) Retail Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility: $6,000.00.
(C) Retail Marijuana Testing Facility: $1,500.00.
(c) City Council may approve increases or decreases in the foregoing fees by
Resolution.
(d) In addition to the foregoing fees, applicants and licensees shall pay the reasonable
fees of any governmental agency conducting any investigation, inspection, other licensing,
registration, fingerprinting, approval or permitting required under the Pueblo Municipal Code,
State law or State regulations.
(e) The primary purpose of the fees provided in this Section is to defray the costs of
the particular municipal services provided and not to defray the costs of the general services of
municipal government or to raise general revenues. The fees provided in this Section shall be
reasonably related and proportional to the costs of the services provided and shall not generate
additional City revenue.
(f) If any license or application is denied, approved but not issued, lapsed,
abandoned, withdrawn, surrendered, suspended, fined, revoked or otherwise sanctioned, no part
of the fees paid therefor shall be refunded to the applicant or licensee.
Sec. 11-11-305. Term of license.
Every license shall be valid for one (1) year from the date it is issued unless the license is
earlier suspended or revoked.
Sec. 11-11-306. Relationship to Colorado Retail Marijuana Code and Coordination with
State Retail Marijuana Licensing Authority and State requirements.
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(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Chapter incorporates the
requirements and procedures set forth in the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code, C.R.S. 12-43.4-
101 et seq. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and the provisions
of the Colorado Retail Marijuana Code or any other applicable state or local law, the more
restrictive provision shall control.
(b) The Authority shall inform the State Retail Marijuana Licensing Authority of its
investigations, inspections and all decisions approving new licenses, issuing new licenses,
imposing conditions on licenses, renewing licenses, approving major changes in licenses,
information regarding minor changes, and sanctions imposed on licenses.
(c) To the extent that such coordination is reasonably feasible and efficient, the
Authority shall coordinate its investigations and actions with the State Department of Revenue,
but the Authority reserves the right to act independently and to reach its own findings of fact,
conclusions of law and administrative actions regarding approvals, issuance, denials, conditions,
renewals, major changes, sanctions of licenses and any other matter related to licenses, without
regard to the findings of fact, conclusions of law and administrative actions that the State may
reach regarding the same licenses based on the same incident or conduct.
(d) The approval or issuance of a license under this Chapter shall not constitute a
representation by the Authority that the licensee is qualified for or will receive a State retail
marijuana license.
Sec. 11-11-307. Application for retail marijuana license.
(a) An applicant for a retail marijuana license shall submit to the Authority an
application with the following information:
(1) Information required on the application forms prescribed by the State of
Colorado;
(2) Information required on the application forms prescribed by the Authority,
which may require any information, document or photograph relevant to any requirement
for a license under State law or this Chapter, or relevant to any condition that may be
imposed on the license; and
(3) An operational plan showing how the business, licensed premises and
adjacent grounds will be operated, including but not limited to:
a. How and where marijuana or marijuana products will be
cultivated, manufactured, tested, advertised, processed, stored, packaged,
exhibited, purchased, exchanged and sold;
b. How the business, licensed premises and adjacent grounds will
comply with each requirement contained in State law and City ordinances,
especially this Chapter;
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c. How the operation will reduce or mitigate adverse effects on the
area in which it is situated, including but not limited to any adverse effects related
to crime, traffic, parking, noise and lighting;
d. Hours of operation;
e. Number of employees;
f. Parking for employees and customers on the adjacent grounds;
g. Traffic flow into and out of the adjacent grounds;
h. Record keeping as required under State law and this Chapter; and
i. Procedures for identifying purchasers when making sales.
(4) A security plan that addresses:
a. Methods to prevent and protect employees and others from
robberies and assaults on the licensed premises and adjacent grounds;
b. Methods to prevent burglaries on the licensed premises and
adjacent grounds when the premises are closed;
c. Exterior lighting of the building and adjacent grounds;
d. Windows from the licensed premises providing a view from inside
the licensed premises to the adjacent grounds;
e. Locks, burglar alarms and a safe or vault as required in this
Chapter; and
f. A limited access area barrier, limited access area and employee
badges for entering the limited access area as required under State law and this
Chapter.
(b) The entire application shall be verified under oath by each principal in the
applicant’s business. The registered manager and employees shall verify under oath the portions
of the application that pertain to each of them.
(c) The applicant shall submit to the Authority the original application and five (5)
copies of the application. The Authority shall provide copies to the Police Department, the
City’s Department of Planning and Community Development and the City’s Law Department.
(d) An applicant shall not submit its application, and the Authority shall not accept
the same, until the application is complete with all required information and necessary
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documents attached, in clear and legible form, assembled in good order, and with all required
copies. The applicant shall certify that the application is complete, and the Authority or the
Authority's Clerk shall review the application to determine that it appears to be complete before
accepting same.
(e) The determination by the Authority or its Clerk that the application appears to be
complete shall not constitute any representation or determination that the application meets the
requirements of this Chapter for approval or issuance of a license. Notwithstanding any
determination that the application appears to be complete, the Authority may note concerns or
deficiencies in the application and its contents in the Authority's determination and findings after
conducting its administrative review of the application as provided in Section 11-11-311 of this
Chapter.
(f) After an application is accepted as complete, it may be amended or supplemented
in writing before the application is set for hearing, but each amendment or supplement shall be
verified under oath by each principal, and the registered manager and employees shall verify
under oath the portions of any amendment or supplement that pertain to each of them. The
applicant shall submit to the Authority the original of each amendment or supplement and five
(5) copies. The Authority shall provide copies to the Police Department, the City’s Department
of Planning and Community Development and the City’s Law Department.
(g) After the application is set for hearing, the application shall not be amended or
supplemented and the Authority shall rule on the application as it exists at the time the hearing is
set.
Sec. 11-11-308. Requirements to obtain and retain a Retail marijuana license.
In order to obtain a license, the applicant shall demonstrate by a preponderance of the
evidence to the Authority that the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) General requirements.
a. The applicant has obtained a conditional use permit from the City for the
location of the proposed licensed premises;
b. The applicant has obtained the necessary City sales and use tax license and
excise tax license;
c. The applicant has obtained the necessary State sales and use tax license
and excise tax license;
d. The applicant has obtained a City license for any other business activity
that will be operated on the licensed premises;
e. The applicant has submitted an application for a license that the Clerk to
the Authority has determined is complete; and
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f. The applicant has paid all fees required under this Chapter.
(2) Personal requirements for the licensee, principals, registered manager and
employees.
a. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees meet all
requirements for issuance of a State license.
b. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees are all over
the age of twenty-one (21).
c. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees have not
been determined by any retail marijuana licensing authority, any other licensing board
within the State or the Colorado Department of Revenue to not be persons of good
character and record within the preceding three (3) years.
d. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees have not
discharged a sentence for a conviction of a felony in the five (5) years immediately
preceding the application. This shall constitute a per se and complete disqualification.
Rehabilitation shall not be considered.
e. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees have not
discharged a sentence for a conviction of a felony pursuant to any state or federal law
regarding the possession, distribution, manufacturing, cultivation, or use of a controlled
substance in the ten years immediately preceding his or her application date or five years
from May 28, 2013, whichever is longer; except that the licensing authority may grant a
license to a person if the person has a state felony conviction based on possession or use
of marijuana or marijuana concentrate that would not be a felony if the person were
convicted of the offense on the date he or she applied for licensure. This shall constitute
a per se and complete disqualification. Rehabilitation shall not be considered.
f. The applicant, the applicant's financiers, principals, registered manager,
and employees are persons of good character and record. When making any
determination as to good character and record, the Authority may consider whether an
applicant, principal, registered manager or employee has rehabilitated himself after
committing a crime or other act or omission tending to indicate that such person is not a
person of good character, but rehabilitation shall not be considered when the crime or
other disqualifying act or omission is declared a per se disqualification under this
Chapter. Notwithstanding any other burden for proof stated in this Chapter, the burden of
proof to show that a person has been rehabilitated shall be beyond a reasonable doubt and
shall be placed on the individual whose character is at issue. When evaluating claims of
rehabilitation, the Authority shall consider the following factors:
1. The facts of the specific crime or other act tending to show a bad
character and record;
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2. Whether the specific crime or other act tending to show bad
character and record involved controlled substances, dishonesty, fraud, bad faith,
moral turpitude or violence;
3. Whether the specific crime or other act tending to show bad
character and record involved a felony, misdemeanor, municipal offense, a civil
wrong or other wrongful conduct;
4. Whether the specific crime or act caused injury or harm to other
persons or entities and the extent of such harm or injury;
5. The length of time that has expired since the act or omission was
committed;
6. Whether the person has led a law abiding life and has
demonstrated good character since the act or omission was committed;
7. Whether the person has committed other acts tending to indicate
bad character since the act or omission was committed;
8. Restitution, damages and compensation that the person has paid to
persons victimized by the act or omission;
9. Fines, jail sentences, probation, community service and other
penalties paid or served since the act was committed; and
10. Any other factor tending to show that the person has or has not
rehabilitated his or her character and conduct.
g. The applicant, principals, financiers and registered manager have not held
an interest in any liquor license, medical marijuana license, retail marijuana license or
other license issued by any City, County or State that has been revoked, suspended, or
fined within the preceding two (2) years.
h. The applicant, principals, financiers and registered manager have not had
their authority, if any, to act as a medical marijuana primary caregiver revoked by the
State within the preceding two (2) years.
i. The applicant, principals, financiers and registered manager are not in
default on any City, county, state or federal taxes, fees, fines or charges, do not have any
outstanding warrants for their arrest, and do not have any outstanding liens or judgments
payable to the City.
j. The applicant, principals and registered manager are not in default on any
student loan.
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k. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees are trained or
experienced in, and able to comply with, the requirements of this Chapter and state law
pertaining to retail marijuana establishments. In determining whether such persons have
shown sufficient training or experience, the Authority shall consider, among other things,
the following factors:
1. The role that the individual will play in operating the
establishment;
2. Previous experience operating retail marijuana establishments;
3. Completion of state or industry-approved courses on how to
comply with Colorado laws and regulations regarding retail marijuana
establishments; and
4. The individual's understanding of state law and City ordinances
regulating retail marijuana as shown under questioning by the Authority at the
hearing.
l. The applicant, principals, registered manager and employees all hold valid
occupational licenses and registrations for retail marijuana issued by the State of
Colorado.
m. The applicant, principals and registered manager do not have any orders or
judgments against them for child support in default or arrears.
n. The applicant, principals and registered manager are not peace officers or
prosecuting attorneys.
o. If the licensee or principals already hold one retail marijuana license in the
City of Pueblo, and the application is for another retail marijuana license of the same
class, issuance of the second license will not significantly restrain competition among
licensees of that class.
(3) Location and other licensing of premises.
a. The proposed licensed premises and adjacent grounds meet all
requirements for issuance of a State license.
b. The proposed licensed premises are located in a fixed, nonportable
building.
c. The premises are not licensed or operated as an establishment for the sale
or service of alcohol beverages as defined in Section 12-47-103(2), C.R.S., or as a
massage parlor, a dance hall or an amusement establishment as defined in Title IX,
Pueblo Municipal Code.
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d. The premises are not licensed or operated as a retail food establishment or
wholesale food registrant.
(4) Control, security and code compliance of premises.
a. The applicant has sole legal control of the proposed licensed premises at
the time the application is submitted, under a lease that is presently in effect or through
present ownership of the proposed licensed premises.
b. The proposed licensed premises have a suitable limited access area where
the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, display, storage, processing, weighing, handling
and packaging of retail marijuana and marijuana products occurs, which is posted
"employees only," and is separated from the areas accessible to the public by a wall,
counter or some other substantial barrier designed to keep the public from entering the
area.
c. The applicant has submitted a security plan for the proposed licensed
premises, which has been inspected and approved by the Police Department, showing at
least the following security measures:
1. All doors, windows and other points of entry have secure and
functioning locks;
2. A locking safe or enclosed metallic storage vault located inside the
proposed licensed premises in which any harvested retail marijuana and retail
marijuana products will be secured when the licensed premises are not open to the
public;
3. If the licensed premises are connected by any passage or entryway
to any other premises, there is a door between the two premises that can be locked
from the licensee side and cannot be opened from the other side;
4. A professionally monitored burglar alarm system that detects
unauthorized entry of all doors, windows and other points of entry to the proposed
licensed premises; and
5. Windows facing the adjacent grounds and lighting of the adjacent
grounds sufficient to ensure that persons entering and leaving the licensed
premises, entering and exiting parked cars on the adjacent grounds, and walking
across the adjacent grounds can be observed by employees from inside the
licensed premises.
d. The proposed licensed premises and adjacent grounds comply with all
zoning, health, building, plumbing, mechanical, fire and other codes, statutes and
ordinances, as shown by completed inspections and approvals from the City’s
Department of Planning and Community Development, Regional Building Department,
Pueblo Fire Department and Pueblo City-County Health Department.
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e. There is sufficient parking available on the proposed adjacent grounds
given the size of the licensed premises and the number of employees and customers that
can reasonably be expected to be present at any given time.
f. The proposed licensed premises and adjacent grounds of the licensed
premises will be operated in a manner that does not cause any substantial harm to public
health, safety and welfare.
(5) Requirements specific to a retail marijuana cultivation facility license.
a. The area of the proposed licensed premises utilized for cultivation is
equipped with a ventilation system with carbon filters sufficient in type and capacity to
eliminate marijuana odors emanating from the interior to the exterior discernible by a
reasonable person. The ventilation system must be inspected and approved by the Pueblo
Regional Building Department.
b. Walls, barriers, locks, signs and other means are in place to prevent the
public from entering the area of the proposed licensed premises utilized for cultivation.
c. No portion of the building in which the proposed licensed premises are
located is utilized as a residence.
(6) Requirements for premises that are not completed.
a. If the proposed licensed premises have not been completed, inspected and
approved as required in this Chapter at the time of the hearing for a new license or a
hearing on transfer of an existing license to a new location, the applicant shall submit to
the Authority:
1. A recorded deed to the licensee showing ownership of the
proposed licensed premises or a lease showing a right to occupy the proposed
licensed premises; and
2. Plans, specifications, drawings and other documents showing that
the proposed licensed premises and adjacent grounds will comply with the
requirements of this Chapter when completed and inspected.
b. The Authority may approve the license before the proposed licensed
premises are completed, inspected and approved, but shall not issue the license until the
licensed premises have been completed and all inspections and approvals required under
this Chapter have been obtained and submitted to the Authority.
c. In the event that the license is approved, but the premises are not
completed, inspected and approved as required in this Chapter within one hundred twenty
(120) days of approval, the approval shall lapse and the license shall not be issued.
(7) Requirements of this Section also apply to licensees; continuing duty.
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a. The requirements of this Section imposed on any applicant shall also
apply to any licensee. The requirements of this Section imposed on any proposed
licensed premises, proposed adjacent grounds or proposed location shall also apply to the
actual licensed premises, actual adjacent grounds and actual locations, respectively.
b. Every licensee and its principals, registered manager and employees have
a continuing duty to ensure that the requirements of this Section continue to be met after
the license is issued and at all times that the license remains in effect.
Sec. 11-11-309. Good cause for denial of new license, denial of renewal or sanctions.
The Authority may deny a new application, deny renewal of a license or impose
sanctions on a retail marijuana license previously approved or issued if the Authority finds, by a
preponderance of the evidence at a hearing, or upon the admission or stipulation of the applicant
or licensee, that any of the following have occurred:
(1) The licensee, principals, registered manager, employees, the licensed premises or
the adjacent grounds do not meet or no longer meet one (1) or more of the requirements of
Sections 11-11-301 or 11-11-308 of this Chapter, any other provision of Pueblo Municipal Code,
State law or State regulations;
(2) The licensee has failed to obtain any State license, certification, registration or
approval, or meet any other requirement imposed by State law or regulations;
(3) The licensee, principals, registered manager or employees have committed or
attempted to commit any violation of any City ordinance, State statute or State regulation or have
permitted others to violate the same on the licensed premises or adjacent grounds or on other
licensed premises or adjacent grounds;
(4) The licensed premises have been operated in a way that substantially deviates
from the operational plan approved by the Authority;
(5) The licensed premises or adjacent grounds have been operated in a way that
substantially harms the public health, safety or welfare;
(6) A check, credit card, debit card or other payment for any tax, fee, fine, fine in lieu
or other sum due to the City from the licensee has been stopped or rejected for insufficient funds,
closed account or similar reasons;
(7) Any tax, fee, fine, fine in lieu of suspension or other sum due to the City from the
licensee is unpaid and more than thirty (30) days in default; or
(8) The licensed premises have not been operated for more than one (1) year.
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Sec. 11-11-310. Review of application for new license, determination and findings.
(a) Within ninety (90) days following the date that the Clerk to the Authority or the
Authority itself accepts an application for a new retail marijuana license as complete, the
Authority shall review the application administratively and issue its determination and findings.
The Authority's administrative determination and findings shall:
(1) State that the application appears to show a prima facie case for approval
of a license, state any concerns that the Authority may have, and direct the applicant to
set a hearing under Section 11-11-311; or
(2) State that the application does not appear to show a prima facie case for
approval of a license, state the deficiencies, and indicate that the applicant has a right to
set the matter for a hearing under Section 11-11-311.
(b) The Authority shall notify the applicant in writing of its administrative
determination and findings by first-class U.S. mail addressed to the applicant at the address
shown on the application.
(c) If the administrative determination provided in this Section states that the
application appears to show a prima facie case for approval of a license, the applicant shall,
within twenty (20) days of the date the Authority mailed its administrative determination and
findings to the applicant, pursue one of the following options, and failure to do so shall constitute
a withdrawal of the application:
(1) Set the application for a hearing under Section 11-11-311 as provided in
Section 11-11-501 of this Chapter; or
(2) Request from the Authority in writing a continuance of the setting of the
hearing under Section 11-11-311 for no more than sixty (60) days from the date the
Authority mailed its administrative determination and findings to the applicant, in order
to satisfy any concerns stated in the administrative determination and findings, if any.
Failure of the applicant to set the application for a hearing within sixty (60) days the date
the Authority mailed its administrative determination and findings to the applicant, in the
manner provided in Section 11-11-501 of this Chapter, shall constitute a withdrawal of
the application.
(d) If the administrative determination provided in this Section states that the
application does not appear to show a prima facie case for approval of a license, the applicant
shall, within twenty (20) days of date the Authority mailed its administrative determination and
findings to the applicant, pursue one of the following options, and failure to do so shall constitute
a withdrawal of the application:
(1) Set the application for a hearing under Section 11-11-311 as provided in
Subsection 11-11-501 of this Chapter; or
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(2) Request from the Authority in writing a continuance of the setting of the
hearing under Section 11-11-311 for no more than one hundred twenty (120) days from
the date the Authority mailed its administrative determination and findings to the
applicant, in order to satisfy the deficiencies stated in the administrative determination
and findings. Failure of the applicant to set the application for a hearing within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the date the Authority mailed its administrative
determination and findings to the applicant, in the manner provided in Subsection 11-1-
501 of this Chapter, shall constitute a withdrawal of the application.
(e) Withdrawal of an application under this Section shall not constitute a denial of the
application under Section 11-11-308 and shall not prevent the applicant from re-submitting its
application upon payment of a new application fee.
(f) The determination and findings made on the Authority's administrative review of
the application under this Section shall not be binding on the Authority or any person who has
standing at a hearing under Section 11-11-311 of this Chapter, and any matter that the
administrative determination and findings state has been met, has not been met, or which the
determination and findings do not address, may be addressed in full at the hearing.
Sec. 11-11-311. Hearing on application for new license or the denial of a new retail
marijuana license.
(a) Before approving or issuing any retail marijuana license, and upon request of any
applicant whose application has been denied administratively for failure to show a prima facie
case for approval of a license, the Authority shall hold a hearing at which it shall hear evidence
relevant to:
(1) Whether the applicant has met the requirements necessary to obtain a
retail marijuana license in Sections 11-11-301 and 11-11-308 of this Chapter;
(2) Whether there is good cause for denial of the license as defined in Section
11-11-309 of this Chapter; and
(3) Whether conditions should be imposed on the license as provided in
Section 11-11-312 of this Chapter.
(b) The issues at the hearing shall be limited to the foregoing and shall not include
whether persons favor or approve of retail marijuana or favor or oppose retail marijuana licenses
in general.
(c) If the Authority finds at the hearing that the applicant has shown by a
preponderance of the evidence that it has met the requirements necessary for issuance of a retail
marijuana license and that there is no good cause to deny the license, the Authority shall approve
the license or approve the license with conditions as provided in Section 11-11-312 of this
Chapter. If the licensed premises and adjacent grounds have been completed, inspected and
approved as provided in this Chapter, the Authority shall issue the license forthwith. If not, the
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Authority shall withhold issuance of the license until the applicant demonstrates that the licensed
premises have been completed in substantial compliance with the plans, specifications and
drawings previously submitted and approved, and the licensed premises have been inspected and
approved as provided in this Chapter. In the event that the licensed premises are not completed,
inspected and approved within one hundred twenty (120) days of the approval, the approval shall
lapse and the license shall not be issued.
(d) If the Authority finds at the hearing that the applicant has not shown by a
preponderance of the evidence that it has met the requirements for issuance of a retail marijuana
license or has failed to show by a preponderance of the evidence that there is no good cause to
deny the license, the Authority shall deny the license.
Sec. 11-11-312. Conditions on licenses.
(a) At the time that a new license is first approved, when an existing license is
renewed, at any time that a sanction other than revocation is imposed, or at any time that the
Authority approves a major change to a license, licensed premises or adjacent grounds, the
Authority may impose on the license, after a hearing, any condition related to the license,
licensed premises or adjacent grounds, that is reasonably necessary to protect public health,
safety, or welfare, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Additional security requirements, including but not limited to security
guards, steel doors, steel window coverings and surveillance cameras;
(2) Additional record keeping requirements;
(3) Limits and requirements on parking and traffic flow;
(4) Requirements for walls, doors, windows, locks and fences on the licensed
premises and adjacent premises;
(5) Requirements and limits on ventilation and lighting;
(6) Limits or requirements on areas on the licensed premises that are closed,
locked or not open to public view;
(7) Limits on noise inside the licensed premises or on the adjacent grounds;
(8) Prohibitions on certain conduct on the premises;
(9) Sanitary requirements;
(10) Limits on hours of operation;
(11) Requirements for screening new and existing employees;
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(12) A requirement that the licensee temporarily close the licensed premises
until certain changes, inspections or approvals are made; and
(13) A limit on the square footage of the licensed premises.
(b) The Authority may impose the foregoing conditions in lieu of or in addition to
any sanctions that it may impose, except where the sanction is revocation.
(c) Any condition imposed on a license shall be placed on the face of the license
certificate.
Sec. 11-11-313. License certificate; posting of license certificate and notices on licensed
premises.
(a) After the Authority issues a license, the Clerk of the Authority shall issue to the
licensee a certificate evidencing issuance of the license. The license certificate shall state the
date issued, the term of the license, the name of the licensee, the address of the premises,
conditions on the license and the following:
THIS LICENSE CONFERS ONLY A LIMITED AND CONDITIONAL PRIVILEGE
SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS, CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE, AS AMENDED, AND
STATE LAW. THIS LICENSE DOES NOT CONFER A PROPERTY RIGHT OF ANY
KIND. THE LICENSE AND THE PRIVILEGE CREATED BY THE LICENSE MAY
BE FURTHER REGULATED, LIMITED OR COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED BY
THE CITY WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION TO THE LICENSEE. THIS
LICENSE IS SUBJECT TO THE FUTURE EXERCISE OF THE OPTIONS
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 16 (5) (f) OF ARTICLE XVIII OF THE COLORADO
CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 12-43.4-104 (3), C.R.S., AND OTHER FUTURE
ORDINANCES PASSED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF PUEBLO OR CITY
COUNCIL. THE HOLDER OF THIS LICENSE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANY
ORDINANCE OR PROHIBITION PASSED AFTER THE LICENSE WAS
APPROVED OR ISSUED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF
PUEBLO, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY, AT A REGULAR OR SPECIAL ELECTION, OR A MAJORITY OF CITY
COUNCIL, VOTE TO PROHIBIT BY ORDINANCE THIS TYPE OF LICENSE AND
THE OPERATION OF THIS TYPE OF RETAIL MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT
WITHIN THE CITY OF PUEBLO, PURSUANT TO SECTION 16 (5) (f) OF ARTICLE
XVIII OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 12-43.4-104 (3),
C.R.S., THEN THIS LICENSE SHALL BE VOID AND THE OPERATION OF THIS
RETAIL MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT SHALL BE ILLEGAL ON THE
EFFECTIVE DAY OF SUCH ORDINANCE.
(b) The licensee shall post the following on the licensed premises in a prominent
place where persons can easily view and read while standing in a location accessible to the
public:
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(1) The license certificate issued by the State, along with any conditions on
the same.
(2) The license certificate issued by the Authority, along with any conditions
on the same.
(3) A notice at least twenty-four (24) inches by twenty-four (24) inches in
letters at least one (1) inch in height, stating:
THIS RETAIL MARIJUANA LICENSED PREMISES IS MANAGED BY:
(STATE NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER FOR REGISTERED
MANAGER). THE PRINCIPALS IN THIS BUSINESS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(NAMES)
(4) A notice at least twenty-four (24) inches by twenty-four (24) inches in
letters at least one (1) inch in height, stating:
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE WAY THIS RETAIL MARIJUANA
LICENSED PREMISES IS OPERATED, OR OTHER ACTIVITY ON THESE
PREMISES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PUEBLO POLICE DEPARTMENT AT:
553-2538.
(c) The licensee shall post the following on the licensed premises in a prominent
place near other notices to employees, where the licensee, principals, registered manager and
employees can easily view the same: a notice at least twenty-four (24) inches by twenty-four
(24) inches in letters at least one (1) inch in height, stating:
NOTICE TO LICENSEE, PRINCIPALS, REGISTERED MANAGER AND
EMPLOYEES:
THESE PREMISES, THE ADJACENT GROUNDS AND EVERY ROOM, AREA,
LOCKER, SAFE AND CONTAINER ON THE LICENSED PREMISES AND
ADJACENT GROUNDS EXCEPT YOUR PERSON, THE PERSONAL EFFECTS IN
YOUR IMMEDIATE POSSESSION, AND YOUR PRIVATE VEHICLE, ARE
SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BY CITY EMPLOYEES AND POLICE OFFICERS AT
ANY TIME THAT ANY PERSON IS PRESENT ON THE LICENSED PREMISES,
WITHOUT A WARRANT, AND WITHOUT REASONABLE SUSPICION TO
BELIEVE THAT ANY OFFENSE HAS OCCURRED. YOU HAVE NO
REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY ON THESE PREMISES AND THE
ADJACENT GROUNDS EXCEPT IN YOUR PERSON, THE PERSONAL EFFECTS
IN YOUR IMMEDIATE POSSESSION AND YOUR PRIVATE VEHICLE.
Sec. 11-11-314. Registered manager.
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Every licensee shall designate one (1) registered manager and delegate to the registered
manager authority over the day to day operations of the licensee and the responsibility to ensure
that the licensed premises and adjacent premises are operated in compliance with this Chapter.
Sec. 11-11-315. Major changes to license, licensed premises or adjacent grounds requiring
approval of the Authority.
(a) No licensee shall make any of the following changes without first obtaining the
written approval of the Authority:
(1) Any transfer of the license or any ownership interest in the licensee entity
or license;
(2) Any change in location of the licensed premises;
(3) Any change in the licensee's principals or financiers;
(4) The hiring, substitution, resignation, replacement or termination of the
registered manager;
(5) Any change in ownership of any of the stock of the licensee corporation;
(6) Any change in the structure, walls, doors, windows, ventilation, plumbing,
electrical supply, floor plan, footprint, elevation, operation, operational plan, patios,
decks, safe or vault, locks, surveillance system, doors, window coverings or security
system at the licensed premises;
(7) Any material change to the adjacent grounds, including but not limited to
lighting, parking, traffic flow through and the adjacent grounds surfaces, landscaping,
fences, speakers or sound; and
(8) Any material change in or deviation of the operation from the operational
plan submitted at the time that the license was approved.
(b) The Authority shall require a public hearing before approving any change of
location.
(c) The Authority may summarily approve all other proposed major changes or hold a
public hearing on the same, in the Authority's discretion, depending on how substantial the
change appears to be and whether the proposed change is likely to cause any substantial harm to
public health, safety or welfare.
(d) At any hearing regarding any of the foregoing changes, the Authority shall
determine whether the proposed change would probably cause substantial harm to public health,
safety or welfare or result in a violation of any law or regulation. If the Authority finds that the
change will probably not cause substantial harm to public health, safety or welfare or result in a
violation of any law or regulation, it shall approve the change. If the Authority finds that the
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proposed change would, more probably than not, harm public health, safety or welfare or result
in a violation of any law or regulation, the Authority may either disapprove the proposed change
or impose conditions on the license.
(e) No application for transfer of ownership, transfer of location or other major
change may be applied for or acted upon while any complaint for sanctions is pending with the
Authority or the State.
(f) The transfer of a license to a new owner does not constitute a new license. The
transferee of a license or ownership interest in a license takes transfer of such license or interest
subject to the conditions, waivers, history, record and sanctions imposed on that license under
the previous ownership of the license. The fact that the license is owned by new persons or
entities shall not preclude the Authority from considering the history, record and past sanctions
imposed on the license under previous ownership when the Authority considers new sanctions
for violations committed under new ownership of the license.
Sec. 11-11-316. Reports of minor changes.
Every licensee shall report the following to the Authority, in writing within ten (10) days
of such event:
(1) Any change in the licensee's trade name, trademark, logo or service mark used at
the licensed premises, adjacent grounds, on any product cultivated or manufactured at the
licensed premises;
(2) Any change in the labeling or packaging of products cultivated or manufactured at
the licensed premises;
(3) Any new financiers or debts that the licensee or its principals may incur that are
related to the licensed premises, adjacent grounds or any ownership interest in the licensee, in a
single or cumulative amount greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00);
(4) Any charges filed against or any conviction of any principal, registered manager
or employee for any felony, misdemeanor or serious traffic offense, including but not limited to
any deferred judgment or entry into any diversion program ordered or supervised by a court of
law;
(5) Any change to any sign on the licensed premises or adjacent grounds; and
(6) The hiring, dismissal or resignation of any employee.
Sec. 11-11-317. Renewal of license.
(a) A licensee may renew its license by submitting an application at least thirty (30)
days before and no more than ninety (90) days before the expiration of the license. If a licensee
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fails to file an application for renewal of his or her license at least thirty (30) days before
expiration of the license, the license shall expire.
(b) A licensee may renew a license that has expired if:
(1) The license has expired less than ninety (90) days; and
(2) The licensee pays the annual operating renewal fee and an additional five
hundred dollars ($500.00) late fee.
(c) In the event that an application for renewal has been filed at least thirty (30) days
before the expiration of the previous license, but the Authority does not rule on the application
for renewal before the expiration of the previous license, the previous license shall be deemed
extended until the Authority rules on the application for renewal, but in no event may the license
be extended more than ninety (90) days under this Subsection. The licensee shall pay a license
extension fee for any such extension.
(d) The Authority may hold a hearing on any application for renewal. The Authority
may summarily grant an application for renewal without a hearing if it appears from the
application and other information that the licensee is:
(1) In compliance with this Chapter;
(2) There have not been any significant changes in the licensee, the principals,
the licensed premises, the adjacent grounds or the registered manager previously
approved; and
(3) There is no reason to believe that there are any grounds for sanctions or
denial of the license.
(e) The Authority shall set a public hearing on the application for renewal if it finds
that there is probable cause to believe that the licensee is:
(1) Not in compliance with this Chapter or has committed violations of this
Chapter; or
(2) There is probable cause to believe that there are grounds for sanctions as
provided in this Chapter;
(3) There have been any major changes described in Section 11-11-315 of this
Chapter or any unreported minor changes described in Section 11-11-316 of this Chapter.
(f) The fact that the Authority has granted a renewal of a license shall not constitute a
waiver of any previous violations and shall not stop or bar the City from seeking sanctions for, or
the Authority from imposing sanctions for, any violation that occurred during any license period
before the renewal.
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Sec. 11-11-318. Trade names, trademarks, logos, labels, packaging and advertising.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any licensee to use any logo, trademark, trade name, sign
or advertising using the word "marijuana," "cannabis," any alternative spelling or abbreviation of
the same, any slang term for the same commonly understood as referring to marijuana, any
image of a cannabis leaf, or any depiction of any paraphernalia or other image commonly
understood as referring to marijuana.
(b) Nothing contained in this Section shall be construed as creating a prior restraint
on speech or press. The Authority shall not require an applicant or licensee to obtain any
approval or license from the Authority before using any logo, trademark, trade name, sign or
advertising. Nothing contained in this Subsection shall prevent the City from taking civil,
administrative or criminal action against any person or license after any logo, trademark, trade
name, sign or advertising has been used.
(c) Any court of competent jurisdiction construing or applying this Section shall seek
a saving construction and application that makes the Section constitutional. In the event that any
court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision in this Section violates any right
that any person may have to free speech or press, despite the Court's saving construction and
application, the Court shall strike this Section only and sever the same from the remainder of this
Chapter, which shall remain valid and effective without this Section.
Sec. 11-11-319. Books and records.
Every licensee shall maintain on the licensed premises, at any time that any person is
present on the licensed premises, accurate and up to date books and records of the business
operations of the licensee, or an authentic copy of the same, including but not limited to the
following:
(1) Lists, manifests, orders, invoices and receipts for all marijuana, marijuana plants
and marijuana products cultivated, harvested, manufactured, tested, processed, produced,
delivered, purchased, stored, sold and exchanged during the preceding two (2) years, by each
transaction or event, including the date and time of each transaction, source, strain, type,
quantity, weight and purchaser and whether each transaction involved harvested marijuana, live
plants, marijuana products or seeds;
(2) An inventory of all marijuana and marijuana products presently on the licensed
premises;
(3) Sales and use taxes and excise taxes collected and paid; and
(4) The name, address and a copy of the retail marijuana license of any retail
marijuana licensee with whom the licensee has transacted any business, including but not limited
to any purchase, sale, or exchange of marijuana plants, harvested marijuana or marijuana
products.
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Sec. 11-11-320. Inspection of books and records; audits.
(a) Any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant and without reasonable
suspicion, inspect the books and records described in Section 11-11-319 of this Chapter, at any
time that anyone is present inside the licensed premises.
(b) Upon five (5) days written notice, the licensee shall provide the books and records
of the licensee for inspection and auditing by the City.
Sec. 11-11-321. Inspection of licensed premises and adjacent grounds.
(a) Every licensed premises and adjacent grounds shall be open to inspection by
police officers, building officials, firefighters, zoning officials, sales, use and excise tax officials
and health department officials at any time that anyone is present in the licensed premises,
without obtaining a search warrant, and without reasonable suspicion to believe that any
violation or criminal offense has occurred.
(b) The licensee, principals, registered managers and employees shall have no
reasonable expectation of privacy as to the buildings, rooms, areas, vehicles, furniture, safes,
lockers or containers on the licensed premises and adjacent grounds, except as provided in this
Section.
(c) Licensees, principals, registered managers and employees on the licensed
premises and adjacent grounds shall retain a reasonable expectation of privacy with regard to
their persons, the personal effects in their immediate possession, and their own motor vehicles on
the licensed premises and adjacent grounds, to the extent provided by other legal authority, but
shall have no reasonable expectation of privacy as to other areas, vehicles, safes, lockers,
containers or objects on the licensed premises or adjacent grounds.
Sec. 11-11-322. Requests for information.
(a) The Authority and any City employee enforcing any City ordinance, State law or
regulation may submit a written request for information relevant to such enforcement to the
licensee by first class mail, at the address of the licensed premises.
(b) The licensee shall provide complete written answers to such questions, signed by
the registered manager, within twenty (20) days of the date that the request was mailed or hand
delivered to the licensee or registered manager.
(c) The licensee, principals, registered manager and employees shall have no
expectation of privacy in any information or document pertaining to the operation of the licensed
business, licensed premises and adjacent grounds as to the State or City, but the City shall not
release the information and records as public records.
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(d) In the event that the licensee refuses to provide answers on the grounds that the
answer may tend to incriminate him or her for some criminal offense, or on advice of legal
counsel, the City and Authority may properly draw the inference and conclusion that the answer
to the question would have been adverse to the licensee's position regarding the investigation or
other matter then pending, and may institute a complaint and proceedings for sanctions based on
such conclusion.
(e) The licensee may not refuse to answer a question submitted to it on the grounds
that:
(1) The answer may incriminate its principals, financiers, registered manager
or employees;
(2) The answer might place his or her license in jeopardy; or
(3) The question is not relevant.
Article IV
Disciplinary Actions Against Licenses
Sec. 11-11-401. General.
(a) Administrative actions to impose sanctions against a licensee may be initiated
only by complaint filed by the City or by the Authority on its own motion.
(b) The Authority shall review the complaint administratively and determine whether
the complaint and any documents or exhibits submitted therewith show probable cause to believe
that grounds for sanctions exist. If the Authority finds that the complaint along with any
documents or exhibits submitted therewith do not show probable cause to believe that a violation
of this Chapter, State law or State regulations has occurred, the Authority shall dismiss the
complaint without prejudice to refile the complaint with additional information showing
probable cause. If the Authority finds that the complaint along with the documents or exhibits
submitted therewith show probable cause to believe that a violation of this Chapter, State law or
State regulations has occurred, the Authority shall issue an Order to Show Cause to the licensee
requiring the licensee to appear before the Authority on a specific date and at a specific time to
answer the complaint.
(c) Sanctions may be imposed in a hearing for sanctions, renewal, denial or for
approval of major changes, but the City or Authority shall place the licensee on notice that
sanctions may be sought and the grounds for the same by filing a complaint and obtaining an
Order to Show Cause from the Authority.
(d) The Authority may impose sanctions against a licensee based on any of the
grounds stated in Section 11-11-309 of this Chapter.
(e) In the event that a license expires while proceedings for sanctions are pending, the
license may be temporarily extended until the Authority's final decision. The licensee shall pay a
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license extension fee for each thirty (30) day period or portion thereof that the license is
temporarily extended. If the fee is not paid, the license shall expire. After the Authority renders
its final decision, and said decision does not revoke or suspend the license, the licensee shall
submit an application for renewal within fifteen (15) days of the Authority's final decision.
(f) A licensee shall have no right to surrender its license while an investigation,
complaint or proceeding for sanctions is pending, but the Authority may permit the same if the
City consents to the surrender.
(g) No complaint or action for the sanctions provided in this Chapter shall be
instituted or based upon any conduct or omission by a licensee, principal, registered manager or
employee that occurred more than three years before the complaint for sanctions was filed, but
such conduct or omissions may be admitted in evidence if relevant to other violations that have
occurred within the three year limitation period.
Sec. 11-11-402. Sanctions.
(a) The Authority may impose any one or more of the following sanctions against a
license, in whatever combination the Authority finds appropriate, except that no other sanction
may be used in addition to revocation:
(1) Additional conditions as described in Section 11-11-312;
(2) A fine in a reasonable amount to be determined by the Authority;
(3) Suspension for up to one hundred eighty (180) days;
(4) Fine in lieu of suspension;
(5) The reasonable costs of investigating, prosecuting, and hearing the
violation, including the direct and indirect costs of the City Attorney, police officers,
witnesses, subpoenas, Clerk to the Authority, hearing officer and other City employees
utilized in any proceedings for sanctions; and
(6) Revocation.
(b) The Authority may suspend any sanction or portion of a sanction on any
reasonable condition that the Authority deems appropriate in its discretion.
Sec. 11-11-403. Factors to consider in determining sanctions.
(a) In determining the appropriate sanction and whether any sanction or portion of a
sanction should be suspended, the Authority shall consider the following factors:
(1) The severity of the violation;
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(2) Whether the violation was committed deliberately, willfully, intentionally,
knowingly, recklessly, wantonly, negligently or accidentally;
(3) Whether the licensee profited or gained some competitive advantage from
the violation or attempted to do so;
(4) Potential and actual harm to persons or businesses and the reputation of
the retail marijuana industry;
(5) Harm to public health, safety and welfare;
(6) Warnings given to the licensee, principals, registered manager or
employees by the Authority or any State or City employee before the violation occurred;
(7) The deterrent effect of the sanction on the licensee and other licensees;
(8) Whether the violation was committed or permitted by a principal,
registered manager or employee;
(9) Previous violations by the licensee, principals, registered manager or
employees of the same or different nature and at the same or different licensed premises,
including contempt;
(10) Previous sanctions imposed on the licensee, including sanctions for
contempt;
(11) Steps taken by the licensee before the violation occurred to prevent the
violation from occurring;
(12) Whether the violation occurred on the licensee's licensed premises or its
adjacent grounds, or the licensed premises or adjacent grounds of another licensee;
(13) Any plans that the licensee may present showing how it intends to remedy
the problem and prevent the same and similar violations in the future; and
(14) Any other aggravating or mitigating factors, except those that the
Authority may not consider.
(b) In determining the appropriate sanction, the Authority shall not consider the
following factors:
(1) Gender, race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion or sexual orientation;
(2) The licensee's business income at the licensed premises;
(3) The probable effect of the sanction on the licensee's finances;
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(4) Any criminal sanction imposed on any person as a result of the same or
related conduct;
(5) Any administrative penalty imposed by the State as a result of the same or
related conduct;
(6) Any civil judgment imposed as a result of the same or related conduct;
(c) The administrative sanctions provided in this Section are intended to be in
addition to any administrative, civil or criminal penalty, or judgment imposed by any court or
licensing authority.
Sec. 11-11-404. Summary suspension.
(a) The Authority may summarily suspend any license without notice or hearing if
the Authority finds, administratively, that there is probable cause to believe that:
(1) The licensee or its principals, registered manager or employees have
committed a willful or deliberate violation of this Chapter; and
(2) The continued operation of the retail marijuana license poses an
immediate and substantial threat to public health, safety and welfare, such that waiting
the time required to hold a regular disciplinary hearing would probably result in
substantial harm to public health, safety and welfare.
(b) If the Authority imposes a summary suspension administratively, it shall notify
the licensee in writing as soon as is practical that it has been summarily suspended, that it must
close its licensed premises, and the date, time and place of the three-day hearing to follow.
(c) The Authority shall hold a hearing within three (3) business days, at which the
licensee may be present, to determine whether the summary suspension should continue pending
a full hearing on the alleged violation.
(d) The Authority shall set a full hearing on the sanctions to be imposed for the
violation that led to summary suspension to be held within fifteen (15) days from the date the
licensee was first informed of the summary suspension and required to close the licensed
premises, unless the Authority finds at the three-day hearing or upon the City's motion that there
no longer is probable cause to believe that a violation occurred.
(e) The licensee may waive the fifteen (15) day hearing requirement and request a
later hearing, but such waiver shall operate as consent to continue the summary suspension until
the later date.
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Sec. 11-11-405. Imputing knowledge and violations to the licensee.
(a) Any fact that a licensee's principal, registered manager or employee knows or
once had knowledge of, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should know, or should have
once known, shall be imputed to the licensee for purposes finding whether a violation occurred
and imposing sanctions.
(b) Any fact that occurs in the licensed premises or adjacent grounds that a
reasonable person observing the area would be aware of shall be imputed to the licensee for
purposes of determining whether a violation occurred and imposing sanctions.
(c) Any violation of law committed by a licensee's principal, registered manager or
employee, or which any of the same permit on the licensed premises or adjacent grounds, shall
be imputed to the licensee for purposes of determining whether a violation occurred and
imposing sanctions.
Sec. 11-11-406. Effect of sanctions.
(a) New conditions. A licensee who has new conditions imposed on the license as a
sanction shall bring the licensed premises into compliance with the new condition within such
period as the Authority may specify in its order. Failure to do may be grounds for further
sanctions.
(b) Fine, fine in lieu of suspension and costs. A licensee who has a fine, a fine in lieu
of suspension or costs imposed on the license shall:
(1) Pay the fine and costs imposed within the time specified in the Authority's
order. In the event that the fine is not paid within the time specified in the Authority's
order, the Authority may impose alternative or additional sanctions for failure to pay the
fine or costs in a timely manner.
(2) Post signs at least thirty-six (36) inches by thirty-six (36) inches on every
entrance to the licensed premises with letters at least one (1) inch in height for a period of
ten (10) continuous days which shall be specified in the Authority's order, stating:
THE RETAIL MARIJUANA LICENSE FOR THESE PREMISES HAS BEEN
FINED AND ADJUDGED COSTS BY THE PUEBLO RETAIL MARIJUANA
LICENSING AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $______ FOR VIOLATING
THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO RETAIL MARIJUANA: (STATE NATURE OF VIOLATION
AND SECTION VIOLATED)
(c) Suspension of license. A licensee whose license has been suspended shall:
(1) Close the licensed premises to all persons except the registered manager
and employees during the term of the suspension.
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(2) Post signs at least thirty-six (36) inches by thirty-six (36) inches on every
entrance to the licensed premises with letters at least one (1) inch in height during the
period that the suspension is imposed, stating:
THE RETAIL MARIJUANA LICENSE FOR THESE PREMISES HAS BEEN
SUSPENDED BY ORDER OF THE PUEBLO RETAIL MARIJUANA
LICENSING AUTHORITY FOR ____ DAYS FROM ______________
THROUGH ________________ FOR VIOLATING THE FOLLOWING
PROVISIONS OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
RETAIL MARIJUANA: (STATE NATURE OF VIOLATION AND SECTION
VIOLATED)
(d) Revocation of license. A licensee whose license is revoked shall:
(1) Close the licensed premises and dispose of all retail marijuana on the
licensed premises through legal means within such time and by such means as the
Authority may order.
(2) Not be eligible to apply for a new license for a period of two (2) years.
Article V
License Hearings
Sec. 11-11-501. Notice of hearings; setting of hearings.
(a) Notice for hearings on applications for new licenses, denial of a new license,
renewals of licenses and approval of major changes shall be given to the public in the manner
prescribed by State law by posting the proposed premises and publishing a notice in a newspaper
of general circulation at least fifteen (15) days before the hearing, stating the name of the
applicant, the address of the proposed licensed premises and the type of license applied for.
(b) All notices shall state the date, time and place of the hearing, the name of the
applicant or licensee, the address of the proposed or licensed premises, the date, time and place
of the hearing, and the issue before the Authority.
(c) The applicant shall have the responsibility to set the matter with the Clerk of the
Authority for a hearing, publish notices, provide a publisher's affidavit of publication, post the
premises with notice as required by this Chapter and state law and provide an affidavit of
posting.
(d) Failure of an applicant to properly publish notice of the hearing, post the premises
with notice of the hearing as provided in this Chapter and provide proper affidavits of the same
shall deprive the Authority of jurisdiction to hold a hearing on the application.
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(e) Applicants for a new license seeking a hearing under Section 11-11-311 of this
Chapter shall have the sole responsibility to:
(1) Conduct the setting of the hearing with the Clerk of the Authority within
the time limits prescribed in Subsection 11-11-311;
(2) Select a date for the hearing that is not less than thirty (30) and no more
than ninety (90) days from the day of the setting; and
(3) Publish and post the proposed premises with notice as required in this
Chapter.
(f) Failure of an applicant to successfully bring an application for a new license or
any major change to a hearing in compliance with every requirement of this Section shall
constitute withdrawal of the application. Withdrawal of an application under this Section shall
not constitute a denial of the application under Paragraph 11-11-308 and shall not prevent the
applicant from resubmitting its application upon payment of a new application fee.
Sec. 11-11-502. Hearing procedures.
(a) Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in this
Chapter. Where this Chapter does not address a procedural issue, the procedures in Chapter 7,
Title I, Pueblo Municipal Code, Article 43.4, Title 12, C.R.S., and any procedural rules enacted
pursuant to that article shall apply unless the same are clearly inconsistent with the provisions of
this Chapter.
(b) Failure of an applicant or licensee to appear at any scheduled hearing of which the
applicant or licensee has received notice or has himself or herself set, and for which notice was
posted and published in compliance with this Chapter, without a showing of good cause verified
by the applicant's affidavit filed with the authority within ten (10) days of the scheduled hearing,
shall constitute a default and a withdrawal of the application or motion, and a default of any
complaint, Order to Show Cause, motion or other matter pending against the licensee. Any such
application or motion withdrawn by the applicant or licensee may not be re-filed for one (1) year.
(c) After an application has been filed, a hearing on the application has been set and
notice has been published and posted in compliance with this Chapter, any withdrawal of the
application by the applicant shall constitute a denial of the license under Section 11-11-308,
unless the City stipulates that the withdrawal shall not constitute such a denial.
(d) The Authority may hear and decide motions.
(e) The Authority may adjourn and continue any hearing, at the request of the
applicant and with the consent of the City, to give the applicant an opportunity to fulfill any
requirement that has not been met or to make changes to its application or operational plan.
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(f) The Authority may join various matters pending concerning the same license in a
single hearing.
(g) Every decision of the Authority shall be in writing, stating the reasons therefor,
and shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date of the conclusion of the public hearing.
A copy of such decision shall be sent by certified mail to the applicant licensee at the address
shown in the application or license.
Sec. 11-11-503. Discovery and subpoenas.
(a) Any complaint or motion for sanctions shall contain a summary of the legal and
factual grounds for the same.
(b) Every party who has standing to be heard at a hearing shall provide a list of
witnesses and exhibits to every other party who has standing, along with copies of the exhibits, at
least ten (10) days before the hearing.
(c) Each party shall provide the other parties who have standing with copies of any
statements or reports relevant to the matter.
(d) Each party shall provide to other parties who have standing copies of all
documents filed with the Authority.
(e) No party shall be entitled to any additional discovery and the Authority shall not
order any further discovery.
(f) Subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses with or without documents and other
tangible things shall be issued as provided in Chapter 7, Title I, Pueblo Municipal Code.
Sec. 11-11-504. Burden of proof.
(a) In any proceeding under this Chapter to obtain approval or issuance of a license,
renewal of a license, concerning denial of a new license, or to obtain approval for any new
principal, registered manager or any major change, the applicant or licensee shall have the
burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence: (1) his or her right to such license; and (2)
that there is no good cause for denial of the license or approval.
(b) In any proceeding under this Chapter in which any person seeks to impose a
condition on a license, the person seeking to impose the condition shall have the burden to prove
by a preponderance of the evidence that the condition is necessary to protect public health, safety
or welfare. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Authority may, on its own motion, in any hearing
for a new license, transfer of a license to a new location, or transfer of a license to a new
licensee, impose a condition on a license where it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that
such condition is necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare.
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(c) In any proceeding under this Chapter to impose any sanction against a license, the
City shall have the burden to prove every allegation necessary to impose a sanction by a
preponderance of the evidence.
Sec. 11-11-505. Evidence.
(a) The Colorado Rules of Evidence and the common law rules of evidence shall not
apply to hearings under this Chapter. The Authority may accept into evidence any testimony or
exhibit and give such evidence the weight that the Authority believes it deserves.
(b) The Authority may accept hearsay and multiple-hearsay testimony and may base
its decision solely on such hearsay if such hearsay is reasonably reliable and trustworthy and has
probative value accepted by reasonable and prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. The
Authority shall not be required to make a finding that the hearsay meets this standard. If the
Authority admits the hearsay, it shall be conclusively presumed that the hearsay met this
standard unless the Authority makes findings to the contrary.
(c) The Authority shall have the authority to exclude testimony and other evidence as
irrelevant, cumulative or on the ground that the witness or exhibit was not disclosed ten (10)
days prior to the hearing.
(d) The Authority may take administrative notice of any matter contained in its file.
(e) The Board may delegate to the chair or another member of the Board the authority
to make procedural and evidentiary rulings at any hearing, but every member of the Board
present shall vote on the findings and conclusions at the conclusion of the hearing.
Sec. 11-11-506. Standing.
(a) At any hearing for issuance of a new license, for denial of a new license, for
renewal or for any major change in the license, only the following parties shall have standing to
be heard:
(1) The applicant or licensee;
(2) Any person who resides within a one-half (½) mile radius of the adjacent
grounds of the proposed or licensed premises;
(3) Any person who owns any real property within a one-half (½) mile radius
of the adjacent grounds of the proposed or licensed premises;
(4) Any person who owns any business within a one-half (½) mile radius of
the adjacent grounds of the proposed or licensed premises; and
(5) The City of Pueblo.
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(b) At all other hearings, only the applicant or licensee and the City of Pueblo shall
have standing.
Article VI
Violations and Penalties
Sec. 11-11-601. Unlawful acts – any person.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1) Make any false statement, written or verbal, to the Authority or to any City
employee, in any investigation, inquiry, hearing, testimony, application, report or document
related in any way to retail marijuana or the licensing thereof;
(2) Smoke or consume any marijuana, marijuana plant or marijuana product on a
licensed premises or the adjacent grounds.
Sec. 11-11-602. Unlawful acts – licensees, principals, registered managers and employees.
It shall be unlawful for any licensee, principal, registered manager or employee of a
licensee to commit any of the following acts:
(1) To violate or to fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any requirement of this
Chapter, Chapter 1, Title IX Pueblo Municipal Code, Article 43.4, Title 12, C.R.S., or any State
regulation pertaining to retail marijuana.
(2) To permit any violation of this Chapter or any law or regulation on the licensed
premises or the adjacent grounds.
(3) To operate a retail marijuana establishment at any time that any of the
requirements or conditions contained in Sections 11-11-301 and 11-11-308 of this Chapter are
not satisfied.
(4) To fail, neglect or refuse to collect sales taxes on any transaction or to promptly
pay any sales and use tax, excise tax, fee or charge required under this Chapter or under the
Pueblo Municipal Code.
(5) To fail, neglect or refuse to promptly provide any books, records, reports,
information, documents or answers to requests for information required under this Chapter.
(6) To refuse to provide signed answers to requests for information, except as
provided in this Chapter, or to refuse to answer any request for information on any grounds
prohibited under this Chapter.
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(7) To violate any ordinance, statute or regulation on the licensed premises or on the
adjacent grounds.
(8) To violate any condition or to permit the violation of any condition placed on a
license issued under this Chapter or by the State.
(9) To permit anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) to be present on the licensed
premises.
(10) To permit anyone who is not an employee to enter the limited access area.
(11) To permit any employee to enter the limited access area without a visible
employee badge.
(12) To conduct any cultivation, manufacturing, testing, processing, packaging,
display, sale or exchange of marijuana plants, harvested marijuana or marijuana products outside
the licensed premises.
(13) To transport any quantity of marijuana or marijuana products without carrying
with the marijuana or marijuana products, a written manifest showing the following information,
or to refuse to provide to any law enforcement officer upon demand a written manifest showing
the following information:
a. The weight and volume of marijuana or marijuana products carried;
b. A description of the make, model and VIN number of the vehicle carrying
the marijuana or marijuana products;
c. The name and address of the driver of the vehicle;
d. The name and address of the licensed retail marijuana establishment from
which the retail marijuana originated;
e. The name and address of the licensed marijuana establishment to which
the marijuana or marijuana products is being delivered;
f. The date and time that the marijuana or marijuana products departed the
licensed marijuana establishment where the marijuana originated.
Sec. 11-11-603. Penalties.
Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter or fails, neglects or refuses to
perform any act required under this Chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class 1
municipal offense and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars
($1,000.00) or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
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City Clerk’s Office Item # R-9
Background Paper for Proposed Ordinance
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 9, 2014
TO: President Sandra K. Daff and Members of City Council
CC: Sam Azad, City Manager
VIA: Gina Dutcher, City Clerk
FROM: Daniel C. Kogovsek, City Attorney, Law Department
SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XI OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE
BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER 11, RELATING TO THE LICENSING
OF RETAIL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITIES, PRODUCT
MANUFACTURERS AND TESTING FACILITIES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF
SUMMARY:
Attached is a proposed Ordinance and a proposed new Chapter 11 of Title XI of the City’s
Municipal Code relating to the licensing of certain Retail Marijuana businesses in the City of
Pueblo.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On May 28, 2013, Council adopted Ordinance No. 8590 which placed a temporary moratorium
on the possible implementation of Amendment 64 in the City and the acceptance of applications
for City licenses from Retail Marijuana businesses. On April 14, 2014, through Ordinance No.
8717, Council extended the moratorium until June 30, 2014 for Retail Marijuana cultivation
facilities, manufacturers and testing facilities. Ordinance No. 8717 also extended the moratorium
for Retail Marijuana stores until November 30, 2014.
BACKGROUND:
This Ordinance authorizes the Retail Marijuana industry, except Retail Marijuana stores, to
transact business in the City of Pueblo. The proposed new Chapter 11 contains the procedures
for licensing and regulating the following Retail Marijuana businesses:
Cultivation facilities
Manufacturers
Testing facilities
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The financial implications of this Ordinance depend upon the number and type of Retail
Marijuana establishments which decide to open businesses in the City and are therefore difficult
to estimate at this time. However, the regulations provide for application fees and substantial
operating fees which staff thinks will be sufficient to pay the City for its new licensing and
regulating responsibilities.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Ordinance.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Members of the public are the primary stakeholders affected by the proposed Ordinance. The
issue of allowing Retail Marijuana businesses to operate in the City has been discussed at
numerous public Council meetings and work sessions during the past year.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Ordinance is not approved, as of July 1, 2014, Retail Marijuana cultivators, manufacturers
and testers will only need a State Retail Marijuana license to operate in the City provided that
they meet the City’s zoning regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Law Department recommends approval of this Ordinance.
PROPOSED MOTION:
This Ordinance will be placed on the June 9, 2014, Consent Agenda for First Presentation, and
on the June 23, 2014, Regular Agenda for Final Presentation and Public Hearing.