Cannabis Tourism in Denver

As a devout stoner, I can't believe that it took me over 40 years to make a trip to Denver. Not only was Colorado one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults, but it's also called the Mile High City, so you know they stay high...literally ;) I'm fully aware that their nickname comes from their elevation above sea level, but I don't think it's a coincidence that they're also one of the states that has so lovingly embraced the cannabis plant.

Because I was traveling with a friend for their birthday I didn't get a say in what area of town I stayed in, but I think the downtown area was a great spot for me personally. I don't know anything about the hoods in Denver, but I'm a city girl through and through so I love a little downtown action. My only issue with staying in a downtown area is that sometimes places close early due to most of the buildings being offices. I'm not a drinker but there were a few bars that were nearby and stayed open later into the night. There were also a good number of places to eat and drink, but there weren't a ton of dispensaries that were walking distance from my hotel so I did end up walking about 20 minutes to the first place I visited. I would still recommend staying downtown if you're into city vibes. Keep reading to learn what I found out about the Denver cannabis tourism scene.

Rocky Mountain High Dispensary was so much more than what I was expecting because the whole ground level is set up as a clothing retailer. At first I thought google and my GPS had failed me, but a quick chat with the guy at the front desk helped me realize I was in a dispensary. The spacious sales floor had an array of tees, sweats and other apparel that would lead you to believe that you're in the wrong place, but you'll be directed to an elevator that takes you up to where the product is. The elevator was covered in High Times artwork which led me to do some research and I found out that Rocky Mountain High was bought out by the magazine in 2020. I'm not sure what the vibes and selection were like before the buyout, but I was underwhelmed by what I had to choose from.

The actual dispensary area was pretty small, it looked like it could only fit 3-5 people, and their product selection was similarly tiny. I do recognize that I may be spoiled by the robust Los Angeles cannabis market, but I like having variety and quality all in one place. I also like it when the staff are knowledgeable about the plant so that they can help me make a good choice. I was able to speak with the budtender but they weren't able to answer some of my questions, which led to me making choices based on what I could discern from product packaging. I ended up only buying one pre-roll because the prices were a little higher than I was expecting, especially considering I wasn't sure of the quality. Overall it was a meh experience, but I would most likely give it another try if I was in the area.

One place that had no issues with their selection of products was JARS dispensary. Not only was the place spacious, it was filled with all the stoner tings you could want or need. In addition to a wide array of cannabis items, they also had a good amount of cannabis accessories. Pipes, bongs, papers and other gadgets I have yet to learn about were all displayed on clear shelves which made it easy to shop around and take in all of your options before making a purchase. They had a number of helpful staff members that were able to answer my questions and get me a new product from a brand that I already knew and trusted, as well a new brand to try. JARS was also located in a great area for walking around and I had no trouble finding a little nook to enjoy one of my purchases al fresco. While I was a tiny bit worried about consuming in public, I managed to stay off the sidewalk and find a spot that didn't have any people. I could definitely see myself becoming a regular if I lived in Denver.

The third place I checked out was an impromptu stop that happened while I was on the way home from a hike. Zengold's didn't list itself as a dispensary, but a "marijuana experience" which sounded very intriguing to me. Located off of a highway in an area that didn't seem to be highly populated, I was expecting Zengold's to be similar to JARS in their space and product variety, but it had a much more intimate feel. The actual sales floor was relatively small, consisting of a counter, a few display cases and fridges. The selection was small but you could tell it was expertly curated to offer great items at a great price. The budtender did seem to be knowledgeable about the products and made me feel very comfortable with my purchases. I also appreciated that they had a good amount of snacks so you can take care of your munchies before they strike.

Once you get your stash all stocked up, Denver has plenty for you to explore. The group I was traveling with wanted to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, so we made a day trip to Estes Park. There is plenty to do within Denver, but living in California has turned me into an outdoorsy type...sort of! I do like being in nature, but I don't wanna camp or spend multiple days outside so hiking is my go-to activity. If you're a real adventurer then you'll be able to choose from plenty of options like kayaking, ziplining, rafting or rock climbing. If you're a more artistic minded tourist then you may enjoy taking in all the murals in the arts district, visiting the Denver Art Museum or even catching a concert at Red Rock Amphitheater.

Overall I was pleased with my inaugural trip to Denver. I didn't get a chance to fully immerse myself by staying at a 420 friendly hotel, but being able to smoke outside of my hotel was good enough for me! I plan to go back and check out the 420 tours and see what other canna culture fun they have to enjoy. If you've had a "high" holiday in Denver let me know what you did and what I need to add to my list for my next visit.

Happy Travels!