HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-085-09/21/2021-SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE GRAY AND BLACK MARKET MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR FORT RESOLUTION 2021-085
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR GRAY AND BLACK MARKET
MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
WHEREAS, Fort Collins Police Services ("FCPS") is applying for a grant through the
Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Grant Program (the"Program") from the State of
Colorado Department of Local Affairs ("DOLA") to fund investigation and prosecution of
unlicensed marijuana cultivation and distribution operations (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, the Program provides financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies
and district attorneys through local governments; and
WHEREAS,the total amount of grant money to be dispersed statewide by DOLA amongst
applicant agencies and district attorneys is $900,000 for FY 2022-2023 Program funding; and
WHEREAS, until submittal of an application, FCPS does not know the amount that may
be awarded; and
WHEREAS, in FY 2021-2022, FCPS received $41,564 from the Program; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, Police Services began receiving and investigating complaints of the
sale of unregulated Delta-8 THC to minors at local smoke shops (not licensed marijuana
businesses); and
WHEREAS, black-market grant money was used to fund those investigations and begin
regulatory inspections of commercial establishments relative to recent Code changes involving the
sale of smoking and vaping products to minors, and this effort will continue if grant funding is
procured for 2022; and
WHEREAS, the current Program expires on June 30, 2022, and Police Services
recommends the continuation of the above referenced grey- and black-market marijuana
investigations; and
WHEREAS, FCPS has utilized money from this program to acquire long-term evidence
storage units for illegal black-market marijuana, and for an increase in staffing to help with
investigations of black-market grow operations in the City; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Program grant application process, DOLA requires that the
governing body of any entity applying for grant funds pass a resolution to show that it is aware of
and supports the application, and recognizes the obligations the grant creates; and
WHEREAS, the City would not be required to provide any matching funds toward the
Project; and
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WHEREAS, the grant money would allow FCPS to continue to improve neighborhood
livability and provide insight into the extent of the problems associated with unlicensed, illegal
marijuana activity in the City.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS, as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby supports the City's FY 2022-2023 application
for a grant through the Program from DOLA to fund the Project; and
Section 3. That if the grant is awarded, the City Council supports the completion of
the Project.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21 st
day of September, A.D. 2021.
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ATTEST: z7
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Interim City Clerk
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