Loveland council and staff lay out options for marijuana dispensary rules, timeline and caps

Loveland — City staff briefed the Loveland City Council at a study session April 22 on draft zoning and operational rules for retail marijuana dispensaries, seeking direction on five policy choices including public engagement, hours of operation, allowed locations, license caps and the selection process for limited licenses.

The presentation was an information-only item; staff said they will return with ordinance language for council review. “Tonight is our first touch point discussion on possible rules and regulations for the city of Loveland on marijuana dispensaries,” Brett Stewart, assistant to the city manager, told the council.

Why it matters: Voters approved local retail marijuana measures in November 2024 that require the city to adopt local rules. The council’s decisions will shape when stores can open, how many may operate, where they may locate, and how the city enforces state and local licensing standards.

Staff overview and timeline Staff said they assembled an interdepartmental team after the election and have consulted neighboring jurisdictions and the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). Zachary Taylor, senior budget and policy analyst, said staff declined to put specific revenue numbers in the packet because several variables remain unknown, including the number of stores, but staff “expect to collect enough tax revenue to cover the cost of implementation in 2026.”

Staff proposed a timeline that would bring ordinance language to the planning commission and then to council for two readings over the summer; staff suggested a tentative first application date in January…