The Cannabis Business Office (CBO) creates new economic development opportunities, local job creation, and community growth for the diverse population across Colorado. Under the leadership of Governor Polis, we strive to expand economic prosperity within historically economically distressed areas throughout the state.
The office will offer resources that are otherwise unavailable at the federal level, including technical assistance and access to capital for businesses in all stages. Technical assistance will include webinars, training modules, personalized one-on-one consulting, and other support. Access to capital will be offered in the form of microloans and grants for qualified applicants.
The Cannabis Business Office is a newly created office from Senate Bill 21-111 and funded by the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund. The office will work to create new economic development opportunities, local job creation and community growth for the diverse population of Colorado.
Support the CBO Connect with the CBO
Social equity as a priority
The office will prioritize programming for social equity licensees. To be eligible for a social equity license, applicants must qualify one of the following:
- resided for at least 15 years between 1980 and 2010 in a census tract designated by OEDIT as an Opportunity Zone or designated as a “Disproportionate Impacted Area”
- applicant or applicant’s parent, legal guardian, sibling, spouse, child, or minor in their guardianship was arrested for a marijuana offense, convicted of a marijuana offense, or was subject to civil asset forfeiture related to a marijuana investigation
- household income in a year prior to application did not exceed 50% of the state median income as measured by the number of people who reside in the applicant’s household
For more information about social equity licenses, please read the eligibility requirements.
Cannabis Business Programs and Funding
Cannabis Business Advisory Board
The advisory board is composed of experts from state government, the cannabis industry, and community members. The board will hold monthly meetings to build efficient and effective programs that benefit Colorado residents. Launch will be fall 2021.
Cannabis Business Consulting
Qualified consultants with decades of combined experience will be available to guide businesses through their foundational steps, a rapid growth stage, or a need to increase operational efficiencies. Launch will be fall 2021.
Cannabis Business Funding Opportunities
The office will provide access to funding opportunities in the form of microloans and grants, to be used to support seed capital, ongoing business expenses, innovation, and job creation. Launch will be early 2022.
Cannabis Business Technical Assistance
Technical assistance will provide webinars, workshops, and access to educational materials to help business owners improve their operations. Topics will include business fundamentals and specific needs for the cannabis industry. Launch will be fall 2021.
Contact the Program Manager
