Colorado Springs Cannabis Lawyers — Legal Counsel for Cannabis Operators in El Paso County
Colorado’s cannabis industry operates under one of the most detailed regulatory frameworks in the country, and operating successfully in this space requires attorneys who understand both the regulatory architecture and the practical business challenges it creates. Cannabis operators in Colorado Springs and El Paso County face licensing requirements, compliance obligations, banking and tax constraints, real estate restrictions, and business disputes that have no equivalent in other industries. Burnham Law’s Colorado Springs cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees across the full range of cannabis legal matters in El Paso County and throughout Colorado.
Meet our Colorado Springs civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in cannabis licensing, regulatory compliance, enforcement defense, and cannabis business matters throughout Colorado.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Cannabis Law in Colorado Springs and El Paso County
Colorado’s cannabis industry is regulated at the state level by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) of the Colorado Department of Revenue. The MED’s Marijuana Rules establish comprehensive requirements for every aspect of cannabis business operations — license types and applications, facility design and security, inventory tracking, employee badging, advertising and packaging, and product testing. Local jurisdictions have independent authority to allow or prohibit cannabis operations and to impose additional requirements on top of state regulations.
El Paso County’s approach to cannabis reflects its unique character. Colorado Springs has its own licensing ordinance governing where and how cannabis businesses can operate within city limits. Unincorporated El Paso County has separate regulations. The presence of multiple large military installations in the area — Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base — creates an additional layer of sensitivity around cannabis operations, particularly for businesses that serve or employ personnel whose security clearances could be affected by cannabis use or proximity.
The federal illegality of cannabis creates persistent constraints for Colorado Springs operators — limited banking access, Section 280E tax exposure, real estate challenges, and insurance limitations that don’t affect other industries. Navigating these constraints while building and operating viable cannabis businesses requires attorneys who understand both the regulatory framework and the practical business realities it creates.
What Our Colorado Springs Cannabis Attorneys Handle
License applications and renewals: Obtaining a Colorado cannabis license requires navigating a detailed and unforgiving application process with the MED and the applicable local authority. We guide clients through applications for retail, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and delivery operations — and handle renewals, license modifications, and ownership changes that require MED approval.
Regulatory compliance: Cannabis operators face ongoing compliance requirements across facility operations, inventory tracking, advertising, packaging, employee badging, and product handling. We help operators understand their obligations, implement compliant systems, conduct compliance reviews, and respond to MED inquiries before they escalate to enforcement.
Enforcement defense: When the MED initiates enforcement action against a Colorado Springs licensee — following an adverse inspection finding, a complaint, or an identified compliance violation — the licensee’s license and the business itself are at risk. We represent licensees in MED enforcement proceedings, administrative hearings, and license suspension or revocation matters throughout Colorado.
Cannabis business transactions: Cannabis business acquisitions and sales require MED approval of the license transfer in addition to the commercial transaction structure. We handle entity formation, operating agreements, investor arrangements, and cannabis business sales — with attention to the regulatory requirements that make these transactions significantly more complex than comparable deals in other industries.
Real estate for cannabis operations: Cannabis businesses in Colorado Springs face specific real estate challenges — local zoning restrictions, proximity limitations to schools and military installations, and landlord concerns arising from federal illegality. We represent cannabis operators in real estate transactions, lease negotiations, and land use matters specific to the cannabis industry in El Paso County.
Cannabis business litigation: When cannabis business disputes escalate — partner conflicts, investor claims, contract failures, or employee matters — we provide the same aggressive commercial litigation representation we bring to any significant business dispute, with the additional cannabis regulatory knowledge that these matters require.
Cannabis Licensing and Military Proximity in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs presents a cannabis regulatory environment that is distinctive from most other Colorado markets. The area’s concentration of military installations and the large population of active duty military personnel, veterans, and defense contractors creates considerations that don’t arise elsewhere. Cannabis operations near military bases face heightened local regulatory scrutiny, and businesses that market to or employ individuals with security clearances need to understand the intersection of cannabis and federal employment law.
Local zoning in Colorado Springs and El Paso County’s various municipalities includes proximity restrictions that limit where cannabis businesses can locate relative to schools, parks, and other sensitive uses. Military installations are federal property, and the surrounding areas have their own zoning dynamics. Understanding these local land use frameworks is essential for any cannabis operator considering a location in the Colorado Springs market.
For cannabis businesses planning to apply for a Colorado Springs license, pre-application consultation with a cannabis attorney can identify potential location, zoning, or operational issues before the application is filed — saving significant time and investment compared to discovering those issues after an application is denied.
Why Burnham Law for Cannabis Law in Colorado Springs
El Paso County regulatory knowledge. Cannabis regulation in Colorado Springs requires understanding both the MED’s state framework and the city and county’s local requirements — including the specific zoning, licensing, and operational rules that apply in this market. We stay current on both layers.
Military-adjacent market awareness. Operating a cannabis business in Colorado Springs requires an understanding of how military proximity affects local regulation, location selection, and the customer and employee considerations unique to this market. We bring that awareness to every cannabis matter in the Colorado Springs area.
Commercial law depth. Cannabis businesses face the same commercial challenges as any business — contracts, employment, real estate, entity structure, and disputes. Effective cannabis counsel requires genuine commercial law capability alongside regulatory knowledge. We bring both.
Enforcement defense preparation. MED enforcement actions can move quickly, and the quality of legal representation in the administrative proceeding significantly affects the outcome. We represent Colorado Springs licensees in enforcement matters with the same aggressive preparation we bring to civil litigation.
Can I open a cannabis dispensary in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs permits cannabis retail operations under its local licensing ordinance, subject to zoning restrictions, proximity requirements, and local license availability. The viability of a specific location depends on its zoning designation, distance from restricted uses, and whether the city has available retail licenses in that area. A cannabis attorney can evaluate the regulatory pathway for a specific location and business concept before you commit resources to the application process.
How does proximity to military installations affect cannabis licensing in Colorado Springs?
While Colorado state law does not prohibit cannabis businesses from locating near military installations (which are federal property with their own access controls), Colorado Springs’ local zoning and licensing ordinance may include proximity restrictions that affect specific locations near base perimeters. Additionally, practical business considerations — marketing to personnel whose security clearances could be affected by cannabis use — make location selection and operational planning in the Colorado Springs market more nuanced than in other Colorado cities.
What happens if the MED audits my cannabis facility?
MED compliance inspections can be unannounced and cover a wide range of operational requirements — inventory reconciliation, security system compliance, employee badging, packaging and labeling, and record-keeping. If an inspection identifies compliance issues, the MED may issue a notice of deficiency, a citation, or the opening of a formal enforcement action depending on the severity of the violation. Having legal counsel available as soon as an inspection identifies potential issues — before responding to MED correspondence — is essential to protecting the license.
Can employees of defense contractors in Colorado Springs use cannabis legally?
This is a significant concern in Colorado Springs’ cannabis market. While Colorado law permits adult cannabis use, federal law still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. Most defense contractors operate under federal contracts that require drug-free workplace compliance under the Drug-Free Workplace Act. Many also require employees in security-cleared roles to abstain from cannabis use as a condition of maintaining their clearance. Cannabis operators in Colorado Springs need to understand these dynamics to make informed decisions about marketing, employment, and operations in this market.
How do I structure a cannabis business investment in Colorado?
Cannabis business investments in Colorado are subject to MED ownership disclosure requirements — all investors with an ownership interest above a specified threshold must be disclosed to and approved by the MED, including background checks. Investment structures that are standard in other industries — certain types of equity arrangements, management agreements, and profit sharing — may require modification to comply with MED ownership rules. Working with a cannabis attorney before structuring an investment ensures the arrangement is viable from a regulatory perspective and that investor agreements properly address the MED approval process and its timelines.
Schedule a Consultation with a Colorado Springs Cannabis Lawyer
Colorado’s cannabis regulatory framework is complex, and operating in the Colorado Springs market adds additional layers that require knowledgeable legal guidance. Whether you’re launching a new operation, dealing with a compliance matter, defending a license enforcement action, or structuring a cannabis business transaction, having attorneys who understand this industry and this market makes a real difference.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Colorado Springs cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees throughout El Paso County and Colorado.
