Denver Council taking steps to extend retail marijuana store hours until 10 p.m.

DENVER -- Retail marijuana stores could soon extend their hours until 10 p.m.; a City Council Committee voted Monday to allow a later closing time.

The vote comes after several hearings and weeks of debate.

Currently, Denver requires stores within its city limits to close at 7 p.m. Other nearby municipalities, like Glendale and Edgewood, let pot shops stay open until midnight.

Edgewater's mayor answered questions before Denver council members Monday afternoon. His city has six marijuana stores located within one square mile.

"We have had absolutely no issues," Mayor Kris Teegardin said.

The Denver Police Department is looking at possible impacts on crime if stores stay open later. Statistics show 103 marijuana-related crimes reported from 7 p.m. until midnight. A 6 percent increase in crime is projected at marijuana dispensaries.

"At this point I guess we just don’t know, that really goes to what’s the impact on the neighborhoods as to what happens with more people activated in the neighborhood at night," said Commander James Henning with the Denver Police Department.