HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-107-12/05/2023-SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR GRAY AND BLACK MARKET MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR FORT COLLRESOLUTION 2023-107
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,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
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 Fiscal Year (FY)2023-2024 Program
funding;and
WHEREAS,until submittal of an application,FCPS does not know the amount that may
be awarded for FY 2023-2024;and
WHEREAS,in the last FY 2022-2023,FCPS received $32,339 from the Program;and
WHEREAS,in 2023,Police Services continues receiving complaints about the sale of
Hemp intoxicants to minors at local smoke shops (not licensed marijuana businesses)and has
several active investigations;and
WHEREAS,Program funds were used to investigate complaints in both smoke shops and
residences and in one case search warrants were served at two houses in the City and one
commercial building in Larimer County,leading to the seizure of 970 marijuana plants and over
28 pounds of illegal marijuana,resulting in felony charges;and
WHEREAS,the current Program expires on June 30,2023,and Police Services
recommends the continuation of the above referenced grey market 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,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 2023-2024 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 -
day of December,2023.
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