Every Colorado voter facing a marijuana-related issue on their ballot in 2021.
Statewide, voters said no to Proposition 119, a proposed increase in the state’s retail marijuana sales tax, which would have helped fund out-of-school learning efforts. In Denver, voters rejected the initial Ordinance 300, which would have increased the city’s marijuana sales tax rate to 1.5%.
Colorado legalized marijuana for medical use in 2000 and recreational use in 2012, but the laws differ in each city and county. On this year’s ballot, six cities or towns voted on allowing the sale of recreational cannabis. Those locations ranged from some of Denver’s largest suburbs to locations on the plains.
Westminster and Lamar are likely to allow dispensaries based on current votes, while Mead, Brighton and Wellington repealed such measures. The vote in Golden was still too close to be called on Thursday morning.
In Westminster, 53% of the vote supported passing 3K, which would allow marijuana businesses to operate in the city. However, under ballot measures drawn up by the city council, marijuana businesses could only come into the city if Westminster voters approved a second measure, creating a sales tax of 5% on pot. Voters hit the second measure by a slim margin, meaning it may be some time before marijuana is sold in Westminster.
Question 2b holds 54% of the vote, with Lamar reporting 85% of the campuses. If passed, 2B would allow the establishment and operation of medical and retail marijuana businesses and products in the city. Another issue also prominent at Lamar regarding the proposed additional sales tax on recreational marijuana sales and wholesale transactions.
Question 2A in Golden, which would authorize a limited number of retail marijuana stores in the city, was passed by only 53 votes as of Thursday morning. Those few dozen voters are currently poised to pass the issue. Gold voters also cast their ballots for a 6% special sales tax on pot sales.
Notably, Brighton is one of the few municipalities in the metro area that does not allow pot sales.
