In partnership with the Eighth Judicial District Attorney's Office, Fort Collins Police recently conducted a targeted enforcement project to impact illegal marijuana grow operations in our city.

Using grant money from the Colorado Legislature designated for black market marijuana investigations, FCPS conducted four search warrants on homes with large-scale illegal grow operations between April and June 2019. Police seized 420 marijuana plants, 24 pounds of processed marijuana, 80 ounces of marijuana concentrate, 10 guns, and approximately $110,000 in cash. All of the residences in these cases were identified through neighborhood complaints to police.

“There’s a big difference between growing for personal use and growing for distribution,” said FCPS Marijuana Enforcement Officer Jim Lenderts. “Large-scale grow operations create an unsafe environment with potential electrical hazards, residential mold, strong odors and air quality issues, and criminal activity associated with drug dealing.”

Fort Collins ordinances allow residents to grow up to 6 plants per person or 12 plants per household for medical or recreational use. Marijuana cannot be cultivated openly or publicly, cannot be grown in detached outbuildings, and cannot be grown in a multi-family residence (i.e. apartment or townhome). It is illegal in the state of Colorado for individuals to sell homegrown marijuana.

If residents or visitors intend to use marijuana for recreational or medical purposes, we advise the following:

Be aware that different products have varying strengths and effects

Know what you’re consuming in order to minimize unintended side effects

Avoid driving after consuming marijuana products

If purchasing, always buy from a licensed retailer





For more information about marijuana regulations in Fort Collins, visit www.fcgov.com/mmj. If you have concerns about an illegal marijuana grow operation, contact Officer Jim Lenderts at (970) 416-2949 or bWFyaWp1YW5hZW5mb3JjZW1lbnRAZmNnb3YuY29t. People who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868 or www.stopcriminals.org.