Colorado Collected $115 Million in Cannabis Taxes and Fees for First Half of 2025

(Photo credit: USA Today).

According to data released by the Colorado Department of Revenue, of the revenue collected in June, $18,859,895 came from taxes, while $779,399 was generated from licensing and regulatory fees. The largest single contributor was the state’s 15% retail marijuana sales tax, which brought in $15.17 million. Another $3.26 million came from the 15% excise tax applied to wholesale marijuana transfers. Monthly collections have averaged just over $19.18 million through the first six months of the year, slightly below 2024’s first-half average of about $21.3 million. Since recreational marijuana sales began in 2014, Colorado has now generated over $2.9 billion in total marijuana revenue.

The funds support a range of programs including K–12 school construction, mental health services, local government operations, and the legislature’s general fund. Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, tying Washington in 2012. The first licensed cannabis store opened in 2014.