Where Can You Smoke Cannabis in Colorado?
October 20, 2024
Colorado is known for its vibrant cannabis culture, but the state maintains its own cannabis laws. Individuals 21 and older are welcome in any of the many dispensaries in Colorado (as long as you have a government-issued photo ID!). However, Colorado cannabis laws around consumption are stricter than 420-friendly tourists assume.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from private property rules to finding 420-friendly hotels in Colorado and designated cannabis consumption lounges.
Colorado Marijuana Laws: The Basics
Here are a few key rules to know if you’re partaking in Colorado:
- To legally smoke marijuana in Colorado, you must be 21 or older–this applies to both residents and visitors.
- Public consumption, including smoking in parks, on sidewalks, or in visible areas like balconies, is strictly prohibited.
- If you’re in a car, your products need to be sealed.
- In addition to the general laws, cannabis purchase limits in Colorado set a maximum of two ounces for recreational users.1
Remember that cannabis rules in Colorado vary by town, and many municipalities have their own specific requirements. Always check local regulations before consuming cannabis.
Where Can You Smoke Marijuana in Colorado?
There are a few legal options when it comes to smoking marijuana in Colorado. While public consumption is not allowed, you can still enjoy cannabis in certain private properties, 420-friendly hotels, and designated consumption lounges.2
Personal Private Property
The easiest place to legally smoke cannabis is on private property with the owner’s permission. This means your rental, home, or private residence is an option, as long as you are not visible to the public. However, make sure the property owner is okay with cannabis consumption before lighting up, especially if you’re renting through an app or staying with friends.
420-Friendly Hotels & Campgrounds
Many visitors look for 420-friendly hotels in Colorado and campgrounds that allow on-site cannabis consumption. These establishments have areas specifically designated for smoking. Some may still limit smoking to outdoor spaces due to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act3, which prohibits smoking in indoor public areas. Always check with the hotel or campground to see where on the property you can legally consume cannabis.
Cannabis Events & Tours
Cannabis-friendly events and tours are becoming more popular in Colorado, with some offering guided tours that allow on-site consumption. Party buses, cannabis tours, and certain events in Denver are tailored to give visitors a fun and legal way to consume.4 Make sure you’re joining a licensed event that allows marijuana use to avoid any legal trouble.
Designated Consumption Lounges
Colorado is home to designated cannabis consumption lounges, where smoking is allowed on-site. Some lounges are BYOC (bring your own cannabis), so be sure to check ahead. These businesses are licensed to allow consumption on their premises and often offer a social setting for cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy marijuana together.5
Members-Only Clubs
Colorado also has members-only clubs where patrons can consume cannabis on the premises. These private clubs offer a legal alternative to public smoking, though access typically requires membership or a day pass. Clubs are popping up in places like Denver and Aurora, providing another venue option for marijuana enthusiasts to enjoy.6
Where Are Consumers NOT Allowed to Smoke Marijuana in Colorado?
While there are legal places to enjoy cannabis, there are also strict rules about where you cannot smoke.
Where Are Consumers NOT Allowed to Smoke Marijuana in Colorado?
While there are legal places to enjoy cannabis, there are also strict rules about where you cannot smoke.
Public Property
Public consumption of cannabis is strictly prohibited in Colorado. This includes any area that is observable by the public, such as parks, streets, sidewalks, or even your balcony or unfenced yard if it’s visible to neighbors. If you’re wondering, “Can you smoke cannabis in public in Colorado?” the answer is no—doing so could result in fines or penalties, so always be mindful of where you consume.7
National Parks & Federal Land
Cannabis is still illegal under federal law, which means you cannot use it in national parks or on any federal land. This includes popular tourist destinations like Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though Colorado has legalized cannabis, federal laws trump state laws on federal property.8
Hotels, Cabins, Rentals
Not all hotels, cabins, or rental properties in Colorado allow cannabis consumption. It’s essential to check with the property before you start smoking. Some rentals and hotels are 420-friendly, but many follow stricter no-smoking policies.9
Ski Resorts
Despite Colorado’s love for winter sports, you won’t be able to enjoy cannabis at the state’s ski resorts. Cannabis consumption is prohibited on ski resort property, so leave your cannabis stash behind when you hit the slopes.10
Restaurants, Cafes, Bars
You also can’t smoke cannabis in any restaurant, cafe, or bar in Colorado. The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking of any kind, including cannabis, in these public spaces.11
Other Colorado Consumption Rules to Consider
Before you visit a Colorado dispensary, it’s important to know a few other rules regarding cannabis use in the state.
Cannabis Products Cannot Leave the State
It is illegal to take cannabis products purchased in Colorado across state lines, even if you're traveling to another state where cannabis is legal. Keep your marijuana within the state to avoid any legal trouble.12
Understand Possession Limits
Colorado has strict possession limits for cannabis. Residents and visitors alike can purchase and possess up to two ounces of cannabis. Medical marijuana patients have different limits, but for recreational use, two ounces are the maximum allowed.13
Check Hyper Local Laws
Always check hyper-local laws in the area you’re visiting. Colorado towns and cities may have their own specific cannabis regulations, and what’s legal in one area may not be allowed in another. For example, some towns have banned public consumption lounges, while others permit them.
FAQs About Smoking Marijuana in Colorado
If you’re unsure about where you can smoke marijuana in Colorado or how the laws apply to visitors, these FAQs will help clear up common questions.
Can you smoke anywhere in Colorado?
Public consumption of cannabis is illegal in Colorado. You are limited to your private property, 420-friendly spaces, or designated consumption lounges.
Can I smoke in my car if I’m not driving?
Consuming cannabis in a car is illegal, even if you’re not driving. However, you can have cannabis in the car as long as it’s sealed and stored properly.14
Are there 420 friendly hotels in Denver?
Denver has several 420-friendly hotels that allow cannabis consumption on-site. Always check with the hotel to confirm their specific rules when smoking in Denver.
Understanding Where You Can Smoke in Colorado
Knowing cannabis etiquette and where you can legally smoke cannabis in Colorado is key to enjoying your experience without legal trouble. Whether you’re staying at a 420-friendly hotel, attending a cannabis event, or smoking on private property, always ensure you’re following the law. Be sure to check local regulations and respect the rules wherever you go. And if you have more questions, chat with your favorite LivWell budtender.
Sources:
1. “Where Can Colorado Visitors Consume Marijuana?” Colorado, July 23, 2024, https://www.colorado.com/articles/where-can-colorado-visitors-consume-marijuana
2. “The Best Cannabis Tours in Denver,” Forbes, November 5, 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/katieshapiro/2019/11/05/the-best-cannabis-tours-in-denver/?sh=369916f35290
3. “Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (20-19),” Colorado General Assembly, January 10, 2020, https://leg.colorado.gov/publications/colorado-clean-indoor-air-act-20-19
4. “Cannabis Tour Services and Party Buses in Denver,” Westword, April 3, 2024, https://www.westword.com/marijuana/legal-marijuana-tour-services-and-party-buses-in-denver-20285853
5. “Nine Places Where You Can Consume Weed Legally in Denver (Not Including Your Home),” Westword, April 17, 2024, https://www.westword.com/marijuana/sixteen-places-to-legally-consume-weed-in-denver-not-including-your-house-10064000
6. “Marijuana tourism is evolving in Aurora and Denver with legal tour buses, lounges,” The Denver Post, August 26, 2021, https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/26/marijuana-pot-colorado-consumption-lounges-bus-aurora-denver/
7. “Colorado Cannabis Laws,” Westword, https://www.westword.com/marijuana/laws
8. “Is it legal to consume recreational marijuana in public in Colorado?” Fox 31, March 29, 2024, https://kdvr.com/news/local/is-it-legal-to-consume-recreational-marijuana-in-public-in-colorado/
9. “Business and property owners,” Colorado Cannabis, https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/business-and-property-owners
10. “Laws about marijuana use,” Colorado Cannabis, https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/laws-about-marijuana-use
11. “Staying on the Right Side of Marijuana Laws,” Colorado, July 2, 2024, https://www.colorado.com/articles/staying-right-side-marijuana-laws
12. “How Tourists Can Buy Marijuana in Colorado,” Frommer’s, https://www.frommers.com/trip-ideas/cultural-immersion/how-tourists-can-buy-marijuana-in-colorado
13. “Colorado Laws and Penalties,” NORML, https://norml.org/laws/colorado-penalties
14. “Driving and traveling,” Colorado Cannabis, https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/driving-and-traveling
Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
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