Denver Cannabis Lawyers — Legal Counsel at the Center of Colorado’s Cannabis Industry
Denver is the center of Colorado’s cannabis industry — home to more licensed cannabis businesses than any other city in the state, the headquarters of the Marijuana Enforcement Division, and the jurisdiction where cannabis law has developed more extensively than anywhere else in Colorado. Operating a cannabis business in Denver requires legal counsel who understands both the state regulatory framework administered by the MED and the City and County of Denver’s own licensing requirements and zoning framework — and who can handle the full range of commercial, real estate, employment, and litigation matters that arise for cannabis operators in this market. Burnham Law’s Denver cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees across the full spectrum of cannabis legal matters.
Meet our Denver civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in cannabis licensing, regulatory compliance, enforcement defense, and cannabis business matters throughout Denver and 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 Denver, Colorado
Colorado’s cannabis industry is regulated at the state level by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) of the Colorado Department of Revenue, headquartered in Denver. The MED’s Marijuana Rules establish comprehensive requirements for every aspect of cannabis operations — license types and applications, facility design and security, seed-to-sale inventory tracking, employee badging, advertising and packaging standards, and product testing. The MED administers these requirements for the entire state, but Denver has a distinct local regulatory overlay that applies to cannabis businesses operating within the city and county.
The City and County of Denver has its own cannabis licensing ordinance that governs where cannabis businesses can locate and how they can operate within Denver. Denver’s local licensing requirements include local business licenses in addition to state MED licenses, zoning restrictions that determine where cannabis businesses can locate within the city, and local operational requirements that may exceed the MED’s state minimums. Denver’s local licensing authority — the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses — administers this process, and navigating both the MED’s state requirements and Denver’s local requirements simultaneously is the foundational challenge for any Denver cannabis operator.
Denver’s cannabis market is the largest and most competitive in Colorado. The city’s cannabis industry has matured significantly since early legalization — the initial licensing wave has been followed by consolidation, acquisition activity, increasing competition from new license types and delivery services, and the ongoing evolution of the regulatory framework. Legal disputes in Denver’s cannabis sector reflect this maturity: sophisticated partner and investor conflicts, significant contract disputes, enforcement matters involving well-established operators, and business transactions of real commercial scale.
What Our Denver Cannabis Attorneys Handle
License applications and renewals: Denver cannabis licensing requires navigating both the MED’s state process and the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses’ local process simultaneously. We guide clients through applications for retail, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, delivery, and social consumption licenses — and handle renewals, modifications, ownership changes, and license transfers that require approval from both regulatory bodies.
Regulatory compliance: Denver cannabis operators face compliance obligations under both the MED’s Marijuana Rules and Denver’s local ordinances. We help operators understand and implement compliant systems, conduct compliance reviews across both regulatory layers, and respond to MED or local licensing inquiries before they escalate to formal enforcement.
Enforcement defense: When the MED or Denver’s local licensing authority initiates enforcement action against a Denver cannabis operator — following an inspection, a complaint, or an identified compliance failure — the operator’s license and business are at direct risk. We represent Denver licensees in MED enforcement proceedings, administrative hearings, local licensing hearings, and license suspension or revocation matters.
Cannabis business transactions: Denver’s mature cannabis market generates a significant volume of business transactions — acquisitions, mergers, investor arrangements, and ownership restructurings that require MED and local licensing approval. We handle cannabis business transactions in Denver with the regulatory precision and commercial sophistication that this market’s transactions require.
Cannabis real estate in Denver: Finding and securing compliant cannabis real estate in Denver — where local zoning restrictions, proximity requirements, and limited compliant commercial inventory create real competition for suitable locations — is one of the most significant legal challenges for Denver cannabis operators. We advise on Denver cannabis real estate transactions and lease negotiations with knowledge of both the zoning framework and the commercial real estate market.
Cannabis litigation in Denver District Court: When Denver cannabis business disputes escalate to litigation — partner conflicts, investor claims, contract failures, trade secret disputes — we provide the aggressive commercial litigation representation these disputes require, with the cannabis regulatory knowledge that makes our advocacy effective in Denver District Court.
Denver’s Local Cannabis Licensing Framework
Denver’s local cannabis licensing process involves the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses, which administers local retail marijuana and medical marijuana licenses within the city. Denver’s local licensing requirements include a local business license application, a criminal background check process, and zoning compliance review in addition to the MED’s state licensing requirements. The two processes must be pursued simultaneously — Denver local licensing and MED state licensing — which requires careful coordination and attention to both sets of requirements.
Denver’s cannabis zoning framework limits where cannabis businesses can locate within the city. Retail cannabis establishments must be located in approved zone districts, must maintain minimum distances from schools and other protected uses, and must comply with Denver’s specific land use requirements for cannabis businesses. In Denver’s competitive commercial real estate market, compliant cannabis locations are valuable and limited — and the legal analysis of whether a specific location meets Denver’s zoning requirements is an essential first step in any Denver cannabis licensing matter.
Denver also permits cannabis social consumption establishments — businesses where cannabis can be consumed on the premises. This relatively new license type involves additional regulatory requirements from both the MED and Denver’s local licensing authority, as well as unique real estate and operational considerations. We advise Denver cannabis operators on social consumption licensing with current knowledge of the applicable requirements.
Why Burnham Law for Cannabis Law in Denver
MED headquarters proximity and knowledge. The MED is headquartered in Denver, and our Denver cannabis attorneys have direct familiarity with the MED’s processes, the administrative hearing system at the Office of Administrative Courts, and the enforcement patterns that Denver cannabis operators face. That proximity and familiarity translates into more accurate advice and more effective representation.
Denver local licensing expertise. The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses’ local cannabis licensing framework is a distinct layer of regulation that requires its own knowledge and navigation. We understand Denver’s local licensing process, zoning framework, and the practical dynamics of obtaining and maintaining cannabis licenses within the city.
Cannabis transaction sophistication. Denver’s mature cannabis market produces business transactions of real commercial scale — acquisitions, mergers, and significant investment arrangements. We handle Denver cannabis transactions with the commercial sophistication and regulatory precision these deals require.
Denver District Court litigation capability. When Denver cannabis business disputes go to court, we represent our clients in Denver District Court with the preparation and experience that this sophisticated legal market demands — combined with the cannabis regulatory knowledge that makes our advocacy effective in matters where the regulatory framework intersects with the legal dispute.
What are the differences between the MED and Denver’s local cannabis licensing?
The MED is the state regulatory body that issues cannabis licenses and enforces the Marijuana Rules across all of Colorado. Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses issues local cannabis business licenses that are required in addition to — not instead of — the MED’s state licenses. Both licenses are required to operate a cannabis business in Denver. The two licensing bodies have separate application processes, separate renewal requirements, and separate enforcement mechanisms. A Denver cannabis operator must maintain compliance with both simultaneously, and enforcement action by either body can affect the operator’s ability to continue operations.
How does Denver’s zoning framework affect cannabis business locations?
Denver’s zoning code designates specific zone districts where cannabis retail and other license types are permitted. Cannabis establishments must also maintain minimum distances from schools, childcare centers, drug treatment facilities, and other protected uses. The combination of zone district requirements and proximity limitations significantly constrains where compliant cannabis businesses can locate in Denver. Before signing a lease or purchasing property for a cannabis operation, a zoning compliance analysis is essential — and it should be conducted by attorneys who understand Denver’s specific cannabis zoning requirements.
What is a cannabis social consumption license in Denver?
Denver permits cannabis social consumption establishments — businesses where adult consumers can purchase and consume cannabis on the premises. This license type requires both a state MED social consumption license and a Denver local license from the Department of Excise and Licenses. Social consumption establishments have specific operational requirements including age verification, ventilation standards, no alcohol service, and restrictions on cannabis consumption visibility from public areas. This is a growing segment of Denver’s cannabis market, and the regulatory framework continues to evolve.
Can a cannabis license be transferred when I sell my Denver cannabis business?
Yes, but cannabis license transfers in Denver require approval from both the MED and Denver’s local licensing authority before the transfer is effective. The process involves background checks on all incoming owners and controlling individuals, review of the proposed ownership structure, and confirmation that the new operators meet all applicable requirements. The transfer approval process typically takes several months and must be carefully coordinated with the commercial transaction timeline. Buying or selling a Denver cannabis business without properly managing the license transfer process can result in compliance violations and business disruption.
What should I do if Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses contacts me about a compliance issue?
Contact a cannabis attorney before responding to the Department of Excise and Licenses or the MED about any compliance matter. How you respond to initial regulatory inquiries — what you say, what you admit, and what documentation you provide — can significantly affect the outcome of any subsequent enforcement proceeding. Denver’s regulatory bodies are experienced and well-staffed, and operators who respond without legal counsel sometimes inadvertently make their situation worse. Getting legal representation involved at the earliest stage of any regulatory contact is the most effective way to protect the license.
Schedule a Consultation with a Denver Cannabis Lawyer
Denver is the center of Colorado’s cannabis industry, and operating here requires legal counsel who understands both the MED’s state framework and Denver’s local licensing requirements — and who has genuine experience with the full range of commercial, regulatory, and litigation matters that Denver cannabis operators face. Whether you’re launching a new operation, navigating a compliance issue, defending an enforcement action, or structuring a significant cannabis transaction, Burnham Law’s Denver cannabis attorneys are ready to help.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Denver cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees throughout the city and statewide.
