Denver requires every tobacco, vape, and nicotine retailer to hold a city license under DRMC Ch. 24. The 2020 ordinance also bans flavored vape and tobacco sales citywide and raises the purchase age to 21 with photo-ID verification.
Under Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 24, Article XV, every store selling cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, vape devices, or nicotine pouches needs a tobacco retail license issued by the Department of Excise and Licenses. The 2020 amendment banned the sale of all flavored tobacco and vape products, including menthol, in city limits. Retailers must verify photo ID for buyers under 30, train staff annually, post age-21 signage, and submit to compliance checks. Density caps prevent new tobacco stores within 1,000 feet of schools. Two underage sales in 24 months can revoke the license. Denver's rules survived 2021 state preemption challenges.
Selling tobacco without a Denver license, selling flavored products, or selling to anyone under 21 triggers fines, license suspension or revocation, criminal misdemeanor charges, and Colorado Department of Revenue penalties on the underlying excise tax.
Denver, CO
Denver Revised Municipal Code chapter 24 requires every retailer selling tobacco or vapor products to obtain a Tobacco Product Retailer license from Denver D...
Denver, CO
Denver City Council passed a flavored tobacco ban under DRMC 24-401, effective March 2024, prohibiting sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products includi...
See how Denver's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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