Last verified: October 2026
So you just picked something up on the 16th Street Mall and now you're wondering where you can actually enjoy it. Fair question. Weed is legal in Colorado, but where you can use it is a lot more limited than most people expect, especially if you're visiting and staying in a hotel.
Here's the short version, and then we'll get into the details.
The short answer
In Denver you can legally consume cannabis on private property with the owner's permission, at a licensed consumption business, or on a licensed cannabis tour bus or mobile lounge. That's pretty much it. Anywhere open to the public, including the street, the Mall, parks, and stadiums, is off limits. So is any car on the road.
Where you can consume in Denver
1. A private home, with permission
If you live here or you're staying with a friend, consuming at home is legal as long as it's private property and the owner is cool with it. Renters, check your lease. Landlords are allowed to ban it.
2. A licensed lounge
Denver licenses a small number of businesses for on-site consumption, and the list changes a lot. Here's where things stand as of this update:
- Cirrus Social Club, 3200 E. Colfax Ave. An upscale lounge where you order by the bowl or the bag, with food and zero-proof drinks. They sell on site, so plan on buying there rather than bringing your own. Reservations are recommended.
- Pure Elevations, 185 S. Santa Fe Dr. A cannabis coffee shop and spa with a consumption lounge, plus infused massages if you want to make a day of it. They charge admission, so check their site or call ahead.
Heads up if you're working off an older list: The Coffee Joint, Colorado's first licensed consumption lounge, closed in early 2026, Tetra Lounge in RiNo closed in August 2026 (the owner says a new location is in the works), and The Cannabis Experience tour bus is now permanently closed. A lot of "where to smoke in Denver" pages still list all three.
3. A licensed tour bus or mobile lounge
This is one of the easiest options for visitors. Licensed operators like Colorado Cannabis Tours run tours and packages built around cannabis, and Denver licenses a handful of mobile lounges where consumption on board is allowed. Book ahead, especially on weekends and big event days.
4. A 420-friendly place to stay
Most Denver hotels are completely non-smoking, and that includes weed. Some will charge you a cleaning fee if they catch it. A handful of rentals and B&Bs advertise as 420-friendly, often with outdoor-only smoking rules. If it matters to you, ask before you book and get it in writing.
Downtown: can I smoke here?
These are the spots people ask us about most, all within a short walk or ride of our store on the Mall.
- The 16th Street Mall: No. It's a public street, and public consumption is illegal.
- Your hotel room or balcony: Almost always no. Check your hotel's policy.
- Union Station, bus stops, and light rail: No. Transit areas are public.
- Civic Center Park or any city park: No.
- Coors Field, Ball Arena, Empower Field: No. Sports and concert venues are off limits, inside and in the parking lots.
- Red Rocks: No. It's a public venue owned by the city, no matter what you've heard.
- An Uber or Lyft: No. Rideshare companies don't allow smoking in their cars.
- Your own car, even parked on the street: No. Consuming in a vehicle on a public road is illegal, and so is having an open package within reach.
- National parks and forests: No. They're federal land, where cannabis is still illegal.
What happens if you get caught?
Consuming in public is a petty offense under Colorado law, with a fine of up to $100. Using it in a car, or having an open container in the passenger area, is a traffic infraction with its own fine. And driving high can get you a DUI, same as alcohol. None of it is worth the hassle on a trip.
What about edibles?
Edibles are more discreet, but the law doesn't care how you consume. Eating a gummy in public is still public consumption. Edibles also take a while to kick in, sometimes an hour or two, so if you're new to them, start low and give it time before having more.
Flying home
Denver International Airport bans cannabis anywhere on airport property, and taking it across state lines is illegal no matter which states you're traveling between. Finish it or leave it behind before you head to DEN.
Stop by Flyhi on the Mall
We're right in the middle of downtown at 401 16th Street Mall, open 9am to 9:45pm every day. Bring a valid ID showing you're 21 or older (out-of-state IDs are fine), and ask our budtenders anything. Where to go, what to try, how much is too much on a first try. That's what we're here for. Check out our Denver daily deals before you come in.
And if you've ever wondered where all that cannabis tax money goes, we built a Colorado Cannabis Tax Tracker that shows every dollar the state has collected since 2014, and the schools it helped build.
FAQ
Can you smoke weed in public in Denver?
No. Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older in Colorado, but consuming it openly or publicly is not. That includes streets, sidewalks, the 16th Street Mall, parks, and transit areas.
Can I smoke weed in my Denver hotel room?
Usually not. Most Denver hotels are fully non-smoking, and that includes cannabis. A few rentals and B&Bs are 420-friendly, so ask before you book.
Are there legal places to smoke weed in Denver?
Yes. You can consume on private property with the owner's permission, at a licensed consumption lounge like Cirrus Social Club on East Colfax, or on a licensed cannabis tour bus or mobile lounge.
Can I smoke weed in an Uber in Denver?
No. Rideshare companies don't allow smoking in their cars, and consuming cannabis in a vehicle on a public road is illegal in Colorado.
Can I bring weed to Denver International Airport?
No. DEN bans cannabis anywhere on airport property, and taking it across state lines is illegal.