Council adopts ordinance specifying where state‑licensed healing centers may operate in Wheat Ridge

City Council voted Monday to amend local zoning to specify where state‑licensed natural medicine healing centers may operate in Wheat Ridge, adopting an ordinance that maps the allowable locations and carries forward the state‑required separation from schools and day care centers.

Council Bill 27‑2024, introduced by Councilor Snell, passed on second reading after a staff presentation from the city attorney. Councilor Snell moved approval; Councilor Hoppe seconded. The clerk recorded “all ayes” and the motion carried.

City Attorney Dahl explained that the 2023 Colorado Natural Medicine Act established a state licensing system for “natural medicine services and healing centers” and that the state will not issue licenses for locations that are disallowed by local law. Dahl said the statute took effect with a state licensing agency that began issuing licenses as of Jan. 1, and the city needed to clarify its zoning so the state and operators know where healing centers are allowed locally.

The ordinance allows healing centers in zone districts the city already uses for medical and office uses — broadly, commercial, industrial and mixed‑use districts — and maps those zones in an attachment. Dahl said the ordinance also “memorializes the state enacted separation from schools and day cares” by carrying forward the statute’s 1,000‑foot buffer on the city’s zoning map.

Dahl told council the city considered other approaches used by municipalities — including relying solely on state law or establishing a separate local licensing system — but concluded the council preferred to treat licensed healing centers like other medical therapy uses and not require a second local license. He said the approach preserves the city’s discretion over where those uses may locate while remaining compliant with state law.

Council had no public commenters on the item. The ordinance was approved for immediate effect following its second‑reading vote. The council directed no additional local licensing for healing centers; operators will still obtain business licensing and must meet state licensing rules and the city’s zoning limits.

The city attorney’s office recommended codifying the 1,000‑foot school/day‑care separation and designating commercial/industrial/mixed‑use districts as permissible, noting the approach leaves substantial property available for licensed operations while keeping siting decisions consistent with prior council direction.