Your guide to 420-friendly travel in Colorado

When John Denver sang the lyrics to his easy-listening classic “Rocky Mountain High” (and one of two official state songs) in 1972, it may have been one of the first clues that Colorado was weed-friendly. Fast forward 40 years to 2012, and the state was the first in the US to decriminalize cannabis for personal use, followed by adult cannabis use in 2014.

But even before John Denver popularized Colorado’s mile-high beauty in song, the state was long a draw for its natural attractions and resources, including the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde and the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Parks. Chic resorts like Aspen, Telluride, and Vail draw skiers and tourists in winter, while summertime welcomes hikers, rock climbers, mountain bikers, and lovers of lake and river sports to western cities like Durango, Grand Junction, and Colorado Springs.

Now adult cannabis has added another option for leisure travelers to enjoy destinations and activities, especially those coming from areas where cannabis is not legal.

Travel and cannabis in Colorado

Most of Colorado’s cannabis-friendly attractions are in or near Denver, but open advertising for 420 establishments is still low profile. Vendors we spoke to said this was partly due to the state government’s slow progress on regulations and permits for public consumption facilities, as well as the ongoing federal ban.

However, “Cannabis has been a huge draw to visit the state since adult use opened in 2014. You can see this from pharmacy sales over the years. People regularly ask about cannabis lounges, cooking classes, and cannabis-infused restaurants,” said Goldie Solodar, founder and CEO of cannabis tour company City Sessions Denver

Here are some 420 friendly destinations and activities to try in Colorado.

420-friendly places to visit and things to do in Colorado

There are more cannabis dispensaries in Colorado than Starbucks and McDonald’s combined. In cities and rural areas, retail dispensaries and cannabis tour operators are the norm and easy to find.

Consumption Lounge Tetra Lounge – Denver

Denver has a few places where on-site consumption is allowed. Local regulations require guest membership for access to consumption facilities, which can be easily purchased or registered online.

The Tetra Lounge offers a retail pharmacy, lounge area and outdoor seating on the downtown rooftop. The vibe is young, urban and attractive to both visitors and locals as a safe place to consume. Activities at Tetra include art installations, DJs, live music and socializing in the outdoor lounge.

City Sessions Cannabis Tours in Colorado – Denver

City Sessions is one of several travel companies in Denver offering a variety of options for tourists wanting to learn more about cannabis and visit dispensaries, manufacturing and growing facilities. “Our most popular tour is the Tour of the Senses,” said Solodar, “this tour is a mix of cannabis education, a tour of the back end of a cultivation/grow, and getting out and exploring colorful Colorado.”

City Sessions even offers top-notch dabbing and vaping gear for out-of-towners, supplied by cannabis brands like Puffco, PAX, Volcano, and Loto.

Marijuana Mansion Installation Tours – Denver

The events and immersive arts venue, Marijuana Mansion, offers tours of the space’s interactive cannabis and fantasy installations.

A restored 1889 Romanesque stone house in downtown Denver, the building was the headquarters of the Colorado branch of the Marijuana Policy Project and cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg.

The 4,200-square-foot mansion accommodates up to 150 people for large, private events. You can book 30- to 60-minute tours of the mansion’s art installations, as well as 2- to 3-hour photoshoot slots.

ELEV8 Premier Glass Gallery – Colorado Springs

Visit the ELEV8 Premier glass gallery in Colorado Springs to see glass cannabis accessories made by local artisans and even take a 4-hour glassblowing class yourself.

Arrowhead Manor Inn-Morrison

Located in Morrison, Colorado—about 30 minutes from downtown Denver—Arrowhead Manor Inn is a cannabis-friendly hotel convenient to Red Rocks Amphitheater. According to its website, guests at the hotel “can enjoy cannabis on a private terrace or on their main decks and outdoor areas.”

Fly Fishing in the Rocky Mountains – Estes Park

For travelers looking for a more rural experience—combined with the sport of fly fishing—the Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountains tour company may be an excellent choice.

Operated by Bob “Doc” Young, the company offers cannabis-friendly group and private fly-fishing classes and tours in the town of Estes Park, about an hour and a half outside of Denver. Courses and tours start at a minimum of four hours (half day) and include use of flies and fly rods, snacks, drinks and lunch.

BEYOND show at the International Church of Cannabis – Denver

Perhaps the most popular immersive art experience in Denver can be found at the International Church of Cannabis, which offers their BEYOND light show/meditation with shows seven days a week.

As an officially sanctioned church, the building facility is run by non-denominational organizers called Elevationists, and proceeds from the BEYOND show go towards funding church programs as well as contributions to local charities.

Membership in the International Church of Cannabis is free, and the bi-monthly invitation-only events where on-site cannabis use is permitted are also free. Visitors should be advised that the BEYOND show is family-friendly and no cannabis use is permitted during the show or during daily business hours.

BEYOND is an “immersive projection map,” said Steve Berke, co-founder and director of Elevationists. “It is a light and sound meditation using the latest technology, which is individually mapped onto the mural [artist] Okuda San Miguel painted. It is the only permanent installation of a projection map in a church in America.”

The church’s 35-foot ceilings and interior are almost entirely covered in the rainbow-colored mural of San Miguel, which pulses and glows with choreographed light and laser effects during the show. The results are hypnotic and visually stunning.

The murals on the church’s exterior doors were painted by Los Angeles-based muralist Kenny Scharf and depict his colorful galactic fantasy creatures.