Fort Collins Cannabis Lawyers — Legal Counsel for Cannabis Operators in Larimer County
Colorado’s cannabis industry operates under one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the country, and navigating it successfully requires legal counsel who understands both the regulatory architecture and the practical realities of running a cannabis business. Operators in Fort Collins and Larimer County face licensing requirements, compliance obligations, banking and tax constraints, real estate restrictions, and business disputes that require attorneys who understand this industry specifically — not just lawyers who handle general business matters. Burnham Law’s Fort Collins cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees across the full range of cannabis legal matters throughout Larimer County and Colorado.
Meet our Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins and Larimer 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 operations — license types and applications, facility design and security, seed-to-sale inventory tracking, employee badging, advertising and packaging restrictions, and product testing standards. Local jurisdictions retain independent authority to permit or restrict cannabis operations and to impose additional requirements beyond the state framework.
Fort Collins has developed its own local cannabis licensing framework, and the city’s approach to cannabis regulation has evolved since the initial legalization period. Fort Collins permits retail cannabis sales, subject to local licensing requirements and zoning restrictions that limit where cannabis businesses can locate within city limits. Unincorporated Larimer County has its own separate regulatory framework. Operators must satisfy both the MED’s state requirements and the applicable local requirements before commencing operations — and understanding the interaction between those two layers is essential to successful licensing.
The federal status of cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance creates ongoing practical constraints for Fort Collins operators — limited access to conventional banking services, Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code’s prohibition on deducting most business expenses from federal taxes, and challenges with real estate, insurance, and banking that don’t affect businesses in other industries. Navigating these constraints while building and operating a viable cannabis business requires attorneys who understand both the regulatory framework and its commercial implications.
What Our Fort Collins Cannabis Attorneys Handle
License applications and renewals: Obtaining a Colorado cannabis license requires navigating a detailed application process with the MED and Fort Collins’ or Larimer County’s local licensing 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 in Fort Collins face continuous compliance obligations across facility operations, inventory tracking, employee badging, advertising, packaging, and product handling. We help operators understand their obligations, implement compliant systems and procedures, conduct compliance reviews, and respond to MED inquiries before they escalate to formal enforcement.
Enforcement defense: When the MED initiates enforcement action against a Fort Collins licensee — following an adverse inspection, a complaint, or an identified compliance violation — the licensee’s license and business are at direct risk. We represent licensees in MED enforcement proceedings, administrative hearings, and license suspension or revocation matters throughout Colorado.
Cannabis business formation and transactions: Cannabis business acquisitions and sales require MED approval of the license transfer in addition to the underlying commercial transaction. We handle entity formation, operating agreements, investor arrangements, and cannabis business sales with the regulatory precision these transactions require.
Real estate for cannabis operations: Cannabis businesses in Fort Collins face specific real estate challenges — local zoning restrictions, distance requirements from schools and other sensitive uses, and landlord concerns related to federal illegality. We advise cannabis operators on real estate transactions and lease negotiations and handle land use matters specific to the cannabis industry in Larimer County.
Cannabis business litigation: When cannabis business disputes escalate to litigation — partner conflicts, investor claims, contract failures, or employment matters — we provide the aggressive commercial litigation representation these disputes require, combined with the cannabis regulatory knowledge that makes our representation effective.
Fort Collins Cannabis Licensing — What Operators Need to Know
Fort Collins permits cannabis retail and other license types subject to local licensing requirements that layer on top of the MED’s state framework. The city’s local licensing process involves its own application, background checks, and approval requirements in addition to the state licensing procedure. Zoning restrictions limit where cannabis operations can be located within city limits, and the available locations in Fort Collins’ competitive commercial real estate market are limited. Understanding both the regulatory and real estate landscape before committing to a location is essential.
The licensing timeline for a new cannabis operation in Fort Collins — from initial application through both local and state approval — typically takes several months. Applications that are incomplete, contain errors, or involve ownership structures that require additional MED review take longer. Working with experienced cannabis counsel from the pre-application stage helps ensure the process moves as efficiently as possible and avoids the delays caused by correctable errors in the initial application.
Once licensed, Fort Collins cannabis operators must maintain ongoing compliance with both the MED’s Marijuana Rules — which are updated regularly — and the city’s local licensing requirements. Material changes to the business require prior MED approval, and failing to obtain that approval before implementing changes is a compliance violation that can result in enforcement action. Regular compliance reviews and proactive monitoring of regulatory changes are the most effective way to avoid enforcement issues.
Why Burnham Law for Cannabis Law in Fort Collins
Current regulatory knowledge. The MED’s Marijuana Rules and Fort Collins’ local cannabis licensing requirements evolve continuously. Our cannabis attorneys stay current on both layers of the regulatory framework, ensuring that the advice we give reflects the rules as they actually apply today.
Local licensing familiarity. Fort Collins’ local cannabis licensing process has its own requirements, timelines, and practical considerations that differ from the state MED process. We understand both layers and how they interact in practice for Larimer County operators.
Commercial law foundation. Cannabis businesses face the same commercial legal challenges as any other business — entity structure, contracts, real estate, employment, and disputes. Effective cannabis counsel requires genuine commercial law capability, not just regulatory familiarity. We bring both to every cannabis matter we handle.
Enforcement defense preparation. MED enforcement actions can escalate quickly, and the quality of legal representation in the administrative proceeding significantly affects the outcome. We represent Fort Collins licensees in enforcement matters with the same aggressive preparation we bring to civil litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Collins Cannabis Lawyers
Can I open a cannabis business in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins permits cannabis retail and certain other license types, subject to local licensing requirements and zoning restrictions that limit available locations within the city. Whether a specific cannabis business is viable at a specific Fort Collins location depends on the license type, the location’s zoning designation, proximity to restricted uses, and whether the city has available license capacity in that category. A pre-application consultation with a cannabis attorney can identify potential regulatory obstacles before you commit resources to the application process.
What are the most common compliance violations for cannabis operators in Colorado?
MED compliance inspections frequently identify issues in inventory tracking — discrepancies between physical inventory and seed-to-sale system records — as well as security system failures, employee badging deficiencies, packaging and labeling non-compliance, and advertising violations. Operational compliance failures that seem minor can result in formal enforcement action, particularly for operators with prior violation history. A proactive compliance review program, conducted with legal counsel, identifies these issues before an MED inspection does.
What happens if a cannabis business partner violates their MED badge requirements?
MED badges are required for all cannabis business employees and must be maintained in good standing. A badge holder who is convicted of certain offenses, fails to renew, or otherwise loses their MED badge loses the ability to work in a licensed cannabis operation. If a business partner or key employee loses their badge, the business may need to restructure ownership or management to remain in compliance — which typically requires prior MED approval of the new arrangement. Addressing these issues proactively, rather than after an enforcement action is initiated, is significantly less disruptive.
How does the MED enforcement process work in Colorado?
MED enforcement actions typically begin with a Notice of Allegation sent to the licensee identifying the alleged violation and the proposed penalty. The licensee has the right to request an administrative hearing before the Office of Administrative Courts, where both sides present evidence and the hearing officer issues a recommended decision. The MED Director then issues a final order, which can be appealed to state court. Having experienced legal representation from the moment of the notice — before any response is submitted — is critical to protecting the license throughout this process.
Can a cannabis business in Fort Collins attract outside investors?
Yes, but investment in a Colorado cannabis business involves the MED’s ownership disclosure requirements — all investors with an ownership interest above a specified threshold must be disclosed to and approved by the MED, including background investigations. Investment structures that are routine in other industries — certain equity arrangements, management fees, and profit-sharing structures — may need modification to comply with MED ownership rules. Working with cannabis counsel before finalizing the investment structure ensures the arrangement is viable from a regulatory perspective and that the investment documents address the MED approval process correctly.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fort Collins Cannabis Lawyer
Colorado’s cannabis regulatory framework is complex and continuously evolving. Operating successfully in Fort Collins’ cannabis market requires legal counsel who understands both the MED’s state requirements and the city’s local licensing framework — and who can provide practical guidance on the business and compliance challenges that cannabis operators face every day.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Fort Collins cannabis attorneys represent operators, investors, and licensees throughout Larimer County and Colorado.
