Pueblo, Colorado Cannabis Tax Rate
27.4% totalAdministering agencies: Colorado Department of Revenue — Marijuana Enforcement Division + Pueblo Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Pueblo is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 27.4%, driven by a 5% Pueblo cannabis business tax stacked on top of Colorado's 15% state excise and 2.9% state sales tax. That makes Pueblo the 3rd-highest-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 $27.40 in tax, or about $127.40 out the door.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Pueblo?
Use these worked examples to see what Pueblo's 27.4% 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% Pueblo cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Pueblo city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $13.70 | $2.50 | $63.70 |
| $100.00 | $27.40 | $5.00 | $127.40 |
| $200.00 | $54.80 | $10.00 | $254.80 |
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 Pueblo tax calculator.
Pueblo 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 |
| Pueblo Cannabis Business Tax | 5% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 27.4% | 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 Pueblo
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 Pueblo, though the 5% Pueblo cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Pueblo?
Cannabis in Pueblo 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 Pueblo then collects an additional 5% cannabis business tax on licensed retailers — a cost dispensaries pass through to the customer. That stacking is why the register total at a Pueblo 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.
Pueblo vs Other Colorado Cities
Local cannabis taxes vary city to city in Colorado. Here is how Pueblo 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 (this page) | 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 Pueblo, Colorado?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Pueblo?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Pueblo?
Is cannabis cheaper in another Colorado city near Pueblo?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Pueblo's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in Pueblo?
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