Colorado brought in $20,143,978 in marijuana taxes and fees in May, bringing the state’s year-to-date total for 2025 to $95,461,601. That’s according to new data published by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
(Photo credit: USA Today).
Of the revenue collected in May, $19,284,989 came from marijuana-related taxes, while $858,990 was generated through licensing and other regulatory fees. The single largest contributor was the state’s 15% retail marijuana sales tax, which brought in just under $15 million. An additional $3.96 million came from the 15% excise tax imposed on wholesale marijuana transfers.
Other revenue sources included the 2.9% state sales tax on medical and retail marijuana, public school funds, local government distributions, and licensing charges for marijuana businesses.
With May’s figures now in, the state has averaged just over $19 million per month in total marijuana taxes and fees so far in 2025. Since the state’s legal marijuana market launched in 2014, Colorado has collected more than $2.93 billion in cumulative revenue from marijuana sales.
The money is used to support a range of public services, including school construction projects, mental health and substance use treatment programs, and general local and state government operations. Colorado was one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana, and it continues to be a national leader in tax revenue generation from marijuana sales.
