Boulder County to stop new marijuana-cultivator energy fees in 2027
The county will end new charges Jan. 1, while existing payment plans continue and about $200,000 remains for eligible solar rebates and other approved climate work.
Published at
The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-0 Nov. 5 to end the county’s Energy Impact Offset Fund on Jan. 1, 2027, stopping new charges on marijuana cultivators. One commissioner was excused. The board approved the resolution.
Three of the county’s eight remaining cultivators are on payment plans, county staff said. Those plans will continue until paid off, and amounts already invoiced remain due. The county will issue no new fund invoices after 2026. Staff estimated about $200,000 will remain in the fund.
The money will remain available through 2030 for approved sustainability and carbon-reduction work, with rebates for qualifying existing solar commitments prioritized, staff said. The county’s hearing packet describes rebates for cultivators with pre-existing on-site solar or subscriptions to solar gardens. Staff said two cultivators had made prior solar investments or commitments and may qualify. Any balance left after rebates will go to priorities previously approved by the county.
The resolution also extends local marijuana licenses from one year to two years and removes assessor and treasurer referrals from the licensing process. Staff said the longer term aligns county licenses with the state’s and reduces repetitive renewals; the two departments have their own collection mechanisms. The county’s hearing packet sets Jan. 1, 2027, as the effective date for the fund sunset and licensing changes.