Marijuana sales near $1B, raises almost $20m of taxes
Senior Reporter
– Dec. 19, 2025 — Coloradans have purchased
almost $1 billion of regulated marijuana, generating almost
$200 million of tax and fee revenue in calendar year 2025,
according to new monthly data published today by the Colo-
rado Department of Revenue (DOR).
will no longer take some of the
money you won from a slot
machine jackpot.
President Donald Trump’s
“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,”
which passed in 2025, raised
the Internal Revenue Service’s minimum
$2,000 in 2026.
It was expected that Colorado would likely surpass $1 bil
lion in sales and $200 million in tax revenue by the end of
last year, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue
figures from September.
particularly on modern machines where wins
above $1,200 are common.
The November figures will be published in January, with
complete data for 2025 becoming available in mid-February.
According to researchers at TurboTax, “You
can write off your gambling losses in some cas-
es, but there are limitations. For tax year 2025,
you can write off losses up to the amount of your
winnings. Let’s say you win $4,500 and lose
$5,000; your net result is a loss of $500. Even if
your losses exceed your winnings, your deduc-
tion is capped at the total amount won ($4,500).
any tax on the $4,500 of winnings because you
can deduct the full $4,500 against your win-
nings, resulting in $0 gambling income.”
Under the previous law, which expired on
Dec. 31, 2025, casinos were required to issue
a Form W-2G to slot players who won $1,200
Congress addressed the issue by raising the
information-reporting threshold under two
Internal Revenue Code sections, 6041 and
6041A.
“Colorado’s world-class marijuana industry drives out
criminals and cartels and is supporting Colorado businesses
and jobs while driving revenue for school construction. This
important milestone is one that our state can continue to
build on,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
In its monthly marijuana sales and tax revenue report,
over$19 million, while September marijuana sales figures
were
Casino industry groups and some lawmak
ers argued that the $1,200 threshold no longer
reflects modern gambling or inflation. Gam-
ing industry advocates have said raising the
–
tem and reduce operational friction on casino
floors. As a result, effective Jan. 1, the change
is expected to reduce the number of midlevel
slot jackpots that trigger mandatory reporting,
Meanwhile, Colorado hasn’t announced
–
ing slot machine winnings in 2026. The issue
is expected to be discussed when lawmakers
return to the state capital in Denver later this
Marijuana tax and fee
$19,165,884
(Sept. 2025: $20,040,828)
2025 Calendar Year Total
$199,019,628
(Since January 2014)
$3,072,538,063
October 2025
statements for
jackpots of $1,200
or more were taxed
percent rate.
Date
Marijuana sales
An IRS spokes-
–
tional updates will
–
tions are finalized
$105,334,650
(Aug. 2025: $115,362,506)
$995,357,169
To Date Total
$17,898,291,163
September 2025
(Editor’s note:
The Weekly
Register-Call isn’t
qualified to pro-
Please consult your
accountant, CPA,
or tax advisor for
information on
gambling win-
nings and how
they affect your
taxes.)
by medical and retail marijuana stores monthly by county.
The Marijuana Tax Reports show state tax and fee revenue
collected monthly as posted in the Colorado state account-
ing system. Tax revenue comes from the state sales tax (2.9
percent) on marijuana sold in stores, the state retail mari-
juana sales tax (15 percent), and the state retail marijuana
excise tax (15 percent) on wholesale sales/transfers of retail
marijuana. Marijuana license and application fees generate
the fee revenue.
