Colorado Springs, Colorado Cannabis Tax Rate
22.4% totalAdministering agencies: Colorado Department of Revenue — Marijuana Enforcement Division · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Colorado Springs is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 22.4% — all of it from Colorado's state-level taxes, since Colorado Springs does not add a local cannabis tax. That makes Colorado Springs the lowest-taxed of the 5 major Colorado cities tracked here — versus about 27.9% in Denver. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $22.40 in tax, or about $122.40 out the door.
Colorado Springs has historically limited storefront cannabis sales and does not add a city-specific recreational cannabis tax above Colorado’s state rate.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Colorado Springs?
Use these worked examples to see what Colorado Springs's 22.4% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the Colorado state excise, 2.9% state sales tax, typical local sales tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Colorado Springs city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $11.20 | $0.00 | $61.20 |
| $100.00 | $22.40 | $0.00 | $122.40 |
| $200.00 | $44.80 | $0.00 | $244.80 |
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 Colorado Springs tax calculator.
Colorado Springs 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 |
| Colorado Springs Cannabis Business Tax | 0% | No city cannabis tax levied |
| Combined Effective Rate | 22.4% | 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 Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Colorado Springs?
Cannabis in Colorado Springs 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. Because Colorado Springs does not add a local cannabis tax, shoppers here pay only the Colorado state-level taxes — which keeps Colorado Springs on the lower-cost end of the Colorado market.
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.
Colorado Springs vs Other Colorado Cities
Local cannabis taxes vary city to city in Colorado. Here is how Colorado Springs 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 | 5.5% | 27.9% |
| Pueblo | 5% | 27.4% |
| Boulder | 3.5% | 25.9% |
| Colorado Springs (this page) | 0% | 22.4% |
See the full Colorado cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
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How much is the cannabis business tax in Colorado Springs?
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Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Colorado Springs's tax?
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