The Springs collected $3.8 million in its first year of legal recreational marijuana sales, according to the Colorado Springs Cannabis Association — an early snapshot ahead of the industry's unofficial holiday, 4/20.

Zoom in: The vast majority — $3.5 million from a 5% sales tax — is earmarked for the police and fire departments, mental health services, and PTSD treatment for veterans.

• "This allows us to maintain our staffing levels and ultimately provide a safer community," Deputy Fire Chief Tim DeLeon told KKTV.

Marijuana dispensaries and growers in Colorado Springs have two points to celebrate in the middle of April.

In addition to the annual “420” events on April 20, the past week also marked the first anniversary of the beginning of legal recreational sales in Colorado Springs. Businesses say the additional sales have stabilized the local marijuana industry and helped support city projects through the recent budget cuts.

One year after voters approved recreational marijuana sales, Colorado Springs is now seeing millions of dollars come in and city leaders say that money is starting to make an impact.

According to the Colorado Springs Cannabis Association, the city brought in about $3.8 million in 2025 from recreational marijuana sales. The revenue comes from a 5% special marijuana tax approved by voters in 2024, along with standard city sales tax and a portion of state tax shared back to the city.

City leaders say the money is set aside for specific priorities, including public safety, mental health services and programs supporting veterans.

One of the most immediate uses: bringing back the city’s fire academy. The program had previously been cut due to budget constraints but is now training 36 new firefighters.

Colorado Springs’ first year of recreational cannabis sales is already delivering tangible benefits for residents — and millions of dollars for community priorities.

Exactly one year ago, on April 15, 2025, approved dispensaries opened their doors to sell recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs. A year later local businesses are reflecting on the growth they have experienced.

Brent McDonald is the marketing and sales director for Apothecary Farms. He said the busy year has allowed the company to expand.

“The return of the training academy for Colorado Springs firefighters this week is due to the tax revenue the city has generated from recreational marijuana sales.”

“The city canceled the academy as the Fire Department’s primary budget cut heading into this year, but Mayor Yemi Mobolade and the Colorado Springs City Council agreed to provide the department $1.3 million from the marijuana sales tax fund to get the academy back on the books.”

“In Wednesday's budget markup session, the city council gave initial approval to the mayor's proposal to put $3.2 million of that marijuana money towards public safety, investing in new technology for police and a training academy for the fire department. Council also agreed to put $700,000 toward the Downtown Clean and Safe program and $200,000 toward mental health services. Voter-approved ballot language around the marijuana sales tax requires the money to be spent between these three things. “

“Today marks a significant change in Colorado Springs as businesses are now permitted to sell recreational marijuana. Although Colorado has had legal recreational cannabis for years, this was previously banned within Colorado Springs city limits.”

The Colorado Springs City Council attempted to override voter intent to allow recreational cannabis sales but they were overruled by the courts.

“A decade after Colorado legalized marijuana, it appears the voters of Colorado Springs have approved the sale of recreational marijuana in the city. This comes after Colorado Springs voters answered two dueling ballot questions on marijuana, whether to ban the sale of recreational pot for good or to legalize its sale.”