Denver Has a Growing Cannabis Hospitality Scene. It Only Took Thirteen Years.

As another 4/20 approaches, licensed cannabis bars, lounges, tour services and day spas are finally a reality in the Mile High City.

Step outside in Denver on April 20, and you’ll probably smell something burning in the air.

As the first city to decriminalize cannabis and the capital of the first state to legalize the plant for recreational purposes, Denver will be forever linked to that sweet, sticky stuff. And on the high holiday known as 4/20, you’ll see plenty of public celebration, notably at Civic Center Park during an annual festival that traditionally has drawn tens of thousands of people who openly light up.

Yet Denver has never had much of a “legal” cannabis hospitality scene. The 4/20 festival has always been unsanctioned for cannabis use — that’s never stopped the majority of attendees and performers from smoking, however, and police haven’t issued a public consumption citation there in years — and underground or private businesses and events allowing cannabis use have seen limited success.

Like a tightly rolled joint, cannabis hospitality burns slowly with little oxygen in Denver. Strict rules and unproven business models dominate the small but growing sector, and the Mile High City isn’t collecting cannabis tourism dollars as it did when retail weed was less common in the United States.

But as another 4/20 approaches, licensed cannabis bars, lounges, tour services and day spas are finally a reality in Denver. This year, four permitted cannabis-friendly establishments will be open by April 20, compared to just one in 2024.

It only took thirteen years, but Denver now has a burgeoning cannabis venue space that doesn’t operate in the shadows.

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