Aurora, Colorado Cannabis Tax Rate
27.9% totalAdministering agencies: Colorado Department of Revenue — Marijuana Enforcement Division + Aurora Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Aurora is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 27.9%, driven by a 5.5% Aurora cannabis business tax stacked on top of Colorado's 15% state excise and 2.9% state sales tax. That makes Aurora the highest-taxed of the 5 major Colorado cities tracked here — versus about 22.4% in Colorado Springs. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $27.90 in tax, or about $127.90 out the door.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Aurora?
Use these worked examples to see what Aurora's 27.9% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the Colorado state excise, 2.9% state sales tax, typical local sales tax, and the 5.5% Aurora cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Aurora city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $13.95 | $2.75 | $63.95 |
| $100.00 | $27.90 | $5.50 | $127.90 |
| $200.00 | $55.80 | $11.00 | $255.80 |
Estimates treat all taxes as applied to the retail price; actual receipts vary by product, potency tax (where applicable), and exact local sales rate. Model a specific basket with the Aurora tax calculator.
Aurora Cannabis Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Cannabis Excise | 15% | State-imposed retail excise |
| Wholesale / Cultivation Excise | 15% | Imposed upstream; embedded in retail price |
| Colorado State Sales Tax | 2.9% | Applies to medical and adult-use sales |
| Typical Local Sales Tax | 4.5% | County / district average |
| Aurora Cannabis Business Tax | 5.5% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 27.9% | What you actually pay at retail |
Official source: Colorado Department of Revenue — Marijuana Enforcement Division ↗ · rates compiled 2026-08-11 · city rates set by local ordinance.
How Medical Cannabis Is Taxed in Aurora
Medical cannabis is exempt from the 15% retail marijuana tax and pays only the standard 2.9% state sales tax plus any local tax. In practice that trims roughly $15.00 off every $100.00 spent versus an adult-use purchase in Aurora, though the 5.5% Aurora cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Aurora?
Cannabis in Aurora carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. Colorado adds its 15% cannabis excise, a 15% wholesale/cultivation excise that is baked into shelf prices, on top of ordinary sales tax, and Aurora then collects an additional 5.5% cannabis business tax on licensed retailers — a cost dispensaries pass through to the customer. That stacking is why the register total at a Aurora dispensary can run noticeably higher than the same product in a lower-tax Colorado city or across the state line.
15% special marijuana sales tax on retail + 15% wholesale excise (on fair market rate set quarterly by DOR). Medical cannabis is exempt from the 15% retail tax and pays only the standard 2.9% state sales tax. Local jurisdictions can add their own cannabis sales taxes.
Aurora vs Other Colorado Cities
Local cannabis taxes vary city to city in Colorado. Here is how Aurora stacks up against the other major markets we track, ranked from highest to lowest combined effective rate:
| City | City Cannabis Tax | Combined Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | 5.5% | 27.9% |
| Aurora (this page) | 5.5% | 27.9% |
| Pueblo | 5% | 27.4% |
| Boulder | 3.5% | 25.9% |
| Colorado Springs | 0% | 22.4% |
See the full Colorado cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Aurora, Colorado?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Aurora?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Aurora?
Does Aurora have the lowest cannabis tax in Colorado?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Aurora's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in Aurora?
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