Colorado has long been the destination of choice for savvy outdoor travelers, and legal cannabis has added an extra layer of attraction for visitors.

Is Cannabis Tourism a Game Changer for Denver and Colorado?

Mile High Numbers:

Colorado tourism is booming. Last year saw a record-breaking 86 million visitors to the Centennial State. The numbers are still out on 2018, but it will likely be another banner year for out-of-state visitors. And while the cannabis industry can’t claim all the glory for this influx in tourists, it has undoubtedly played a significant role, particularly in Denver.

For many cannabis tourists, Denver is seen as the epicenter of the weed industry revolution, and for a good reason. Of the 1,000+ medical and recreational dispensaries in Colorado, Denver dispensaries account for over half of these, making it one of the most ‘dispensary dense’ cities in the world. And our hometown is happy to welcome domestic and international visitors to enjoy the offerings. With these tourists adding close to $21 billion to our economy last year alone, it’s easy to see why. And there’s certainly no shortage of reasons to visit.

From East to West, Your Bases Are Covered:

Fall is on the horizon, but there is still time to squeeze in the last little bit of Summer vacation, and if you’re one of the many people planning on coming through Denver there are plenty of ways to soak up the last few drops of Summery goodness.

With Denver’s abundance of dispensary locations, you’ll be set from the moment you land at Denver International Airport. Just past our beloved “Blucifer” (do a quick Google search, you won’t be sorry) on your way into town, you’ll have plenty of Denver dispensary options to choose from to get your trip started off on the right foot. The I-70 corridor between downtown and the airport is packed with both medical and recreational dispensaries, including Lightshade’s Peoria location, which you can’t miss from the highway. You may even smell our grow house before you see our glowing sign, just to the south of the interstate near the Peoria exit.

No matter what brings you to Colorado, be it our beautiful National Parks, the picturesque campgrounds, one of the many music and beer festivals, or maybe just to hang out and experience everything Denver has to offer, your cannabis needs will be covered. Even smaller mountain towns like Breckenridge, Crested Butte and Winter Park offer medical and recreational dispensaries. Tax revenues from marijuana sales drive both state and local education, public health, and other beneficial social programs. Additionally, cannabis fuels the local economy by providing jobs to a large percentage of industry professionals.

Elevate Your Vacation:

Maybe you’re looking to indulge in a more cannabis-forward experience on your trip to Colorado. Don’t stress, there are plenty of weed-friendly adventures available to Denver tourists and locals alike.

Summer is the season of Red Rocks in Denver. With near nightly concerts and events, there’s always something ready to drop at the most scenic venue in the country. The music hall of the gods is a 20-minute drive from downtown Denver, but there are stiff penalties for driving while high in Colorado (it’s simply not smart or safe). Not to worry though, just take your favorite rideshare to the show. Get the full Red Rocks experience without worrying how you’ll get back home. As a reminder, it is not legal to publicly consume cannabis so pre-game in the comfort of your home.

After the concert, you might need a little Zen in your life. A cannabis-inspired yoga class is just the thing. Denver based companies like Marijuasana and Twisted Sister offer private CBD and marijuana focused yoga classes and workshops to add a mellow “vacation-from-your-vacation” to your Colorado visit.

What’s a vacation without indulgence? Before heading back to DIA, make an appointment to pamper yourself at one of Denver’s CBD friendly spas. From cannabis-infused oil massages to facials with CBD-based skin products, many spas throughout Denver are taking a holistic approach to self-care and elevating spa-days to the next level.

This is just a small sampling of the cannabis-centric activities Colorado has to offer. From private multi-course weed dinners to creative art classes and everything in between. There’s something for every visitor to the Centennial State.

No matter what brings you to Colorado, we’re happy you’re here. Lightshade has eight Denver-metro dispensaries ready to serve you. So if you’re just here for a quick layover, have a work meeting downtown or need a quick pit stop on the way to your mountain getaway, we have the goods to make your stay in Colorado one you’ll never forget. Stop by and see why the difference is night and day!