To begin the process, Applicants must FIRST submit a Natural Person Finding of Suitability Application. Fingerprints are required with the submission of the Suitability application which you can get by either:
- Making an in-person appointment; select the "Regulated Business License Social Equity Program Applicant" option within the "Regulated Business Licensing" section of the scheduling program.
- Or, prior to submitting your application, visit a Colorado State-Approved Third-Party Fingerprint Provider to have your fingerprints taken and include the fingerprint receipt with your application packet. Visit the Business Owner webpage for additional information.
The State Licensing Authority will not deny an application for a Social Equity License or a related request for a Finding of Suitability on the sole basis of a marijuana conviction.
Once your Finding of Suitability is approved, MED will send you an approval letter. You have two years from the date of the letter to apply for a Regulated Marijuana Business License by submitting the Regulated Marijuana Business - Social Equity Program Application. Visit the Regulated Marijuana Business License webpage for more information.
An Accelerator-Endorsed Licensees is an exiting Retail Marijuana Licensee who has been endorsed to host and offer technical and capital support to a Social Equity Licensee pursuant to the requirements of the Accelerator Program, see MED Rule series 3-1105 to 3-1115. Three types of Retail Marijuana Licenses currently participate in the Accelerator Program:
- Retail Marijuana Cultavaion,
- Retail Marijuana Product Manufacturers and
- Retail Marijuana Stores.
Social Equity Licensees wishing to participate in the Accelerator Program and the Accelerator Endorsed Licensee may either share a licensed premises or operate at a separate premises provided by the Accelerator Endorsed Licensee.
To obtain a list of Accelerator Endorsed Licensees, visit the MED Licensee Look-Up Tool and follow these steps:
- Ensure you are on the Facility Search page,
- In the first data entry field on the top left corner of the "Search Criteria" box,
- Choose the Accelerator license type you want to partner with:
- Accelerator Store,
- Accelerator Cultivations, or
- Accelerator Mfg.
- Accelerator Store
- Click the "I am not a robot" box, and
- Finally, the "Search" box at the bottom right.