The Mile High city will be appropriately “higher” than usual this month on April 20th 2016, in celebration of legalized marijuana and cannabis on international 420 day.
Our Denver 420 Events 2016 guide is here to keep you all in the know what’s in store, but beforehand…
What is 420?
420, 4:20, or 4/20 (pronounced four-twenty) is a code-term that refers to the annual consumption of cannabis and by extension, as a way to identify oneself with cannabis culture. Observances based on the number 420 include smoking cannabis around the time 4:20pm, as well as smoking and celebrating cannabis on the date April 20th.
Why is it 420?
In 1971, a group of people in San Rafael, California, calling themselves the “Waldos” (because their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school) used the term in connection with a plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop that they had learned about. The “Waldos” designated the Louis Pasteur statue on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20pm as their meeting time, They referred to this plan with the phrase “4:20 Louis”. Several failed attempts to find the crop eventually shortened their phrase to simply “4:20”, which ultimately evolved into a codeword that the teens used to mean marijuana-smoking in general. Steven Hager of High Times wrote “Stoner Smart or Stoner Stupid?” in which he called for 4:20pm to be the socially accepted hour of the day to consume cannabis. He attributes the early spread of the phrase to Grateful Dead followers, who were also linked to the city of San Rafael.
Denver 420 Events 2016
Even though this day is all about April 20th, there are many events taking place beforehand. Events are, therefore, ordered by date.
The Official 420 Week Launch Party
When: Friday, April 15th, 2016
Where: The Denver Post, Main Lobby, 101 W.Colfax Ave, Denver CO 80202
Time: 3pm – 7:30pm
Cost: $35
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/OfficialLaunchParty420
The Cannabist and Royal CBD are hosting an Official 420 Week Launch Party at The Denver Post (Main Lobby) where they will feature Ignite Talks with The Cannabist staff, iSum‘s founder James Reed, Q&A With Ricardo Baca, Lance Lambert & Greg Moore, Happy Hour and tours of the newsrooms and The Cannabist Show set as well as a “Rolling Papers” Screening.
Sensi Mag (Pre – 420) Launch
When: Friday, April 15th, 2016
Where: City Hall Event Center, 1136 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Time: 8pm – 12am
Cost: RSVP only
RSVP by contacting: LaunchParty@SensiMag.com
Sensi Media Group are hosting a special Sensi Mag (Pre-420) Launch Party. The party will include cocktails, appetizers, live music by DJ NikkaT and networking with conscious business leaders from Colorado and beyond.
Denver 420 Fest 2016
When: Friday, April 15th through Sunday, April 17th, 2016.
Where: Glitter Dome Event Center, 3600 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80216
Time: From 4pm daily
Cost: $15 / Free for Veterans, Active Military & Cannabis Industry Professionals and Workers.
Purchase tickets at: denver420fest.com/buy-tickets
Denver 420 Fest 2016 is a three-day event celebrating the culture of Colorado and the cannabis industry during the 420 holiday. Denver 420 Fest will include vendors of clothing, glass, art, jewelry, lighting, grow help and more as well as well as a special performance by Lil Flip on Saturday the 16th @4pm with a Meet and Greet, Colorado Cannabis DJ Chris Diablo with special guest KCUTZ spinning the weekend and a full schedule of entertainment from local artists.
The Denver Annual 420 Rally 2016
When: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 10am – 10pm
Cost: Park Access is Free / Limited Premier Viewing Access $50/ MassRoots All Access Backstage Pass $150
Purchase the Premier and All Access Passes at: bit.ly/Denver420Rally
The Denver Annual 420 Rally 2016 will feature FREE performances by Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne! Presented by Colorado Marijuana Company, MassRoots, and Sweet Leaf, over 100,000 cannabis enthusiasts and 250 vendors will participate to celebrate the wonders of cannabis, enjoy performances from world-class artists, and raise awareness of critical issues facing Colorado and the nation as a whole. The Denver Annual 420 Rally is a non-profit organization dedicated towards building an inclusive, engaged community that promotes equality in economic justice, access to fair housing, improved education, and greater police accountability and professionalism. For more information, visit their website at: www.denver420rally.org.
4/20 iBake VIP Party
When: Saturday, April 16th through Wednesday, April 20th 2016
Where: iBake Denver, 6125 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216
Time: From 11am Daily
Cost: $40 – $150
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/iBake420
The 4th Annual iBake VIP Cannabis Cup Party is a four-day event which will include live performances, goodies, an indoor venue area, an outdoor smoking area section, two VIP sections and special cannabis- related vendor booths.
420 Holiday Weed Tour Party Bus
When: Saturday, April 16th through Wednesday, April 20th 2016
Where: Throughout Denver, CO
Time: 12pm – 12am
Cost: $199 per person each day
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/420HolidayWeedBus
Cronic Lifestyle Magazine presents “The Best 420 Holiday Weed Tour in the World” The Rollin’ Joint, Denver’s only mobile smoking lounge and party bus will be in full throttle for 4 days and taking tourist on a weed tour. This is 40 ft tour bus will include Cannabis Stewardess greeting you with a swag bag that contains weed, wax, vape pen, rolling papers, Cronic Magazine and a “Legalize The World” T-shirt. They’ll be stopping by exclusive rec shops for you to purchase marijuana, concentrates, edibles, drinks, lotions all at a 20% discount and they’ll also be touring one of the world’s largest Marijuana grow facilities. They’ll be attending the official 420 Rally in downtown Denver along with 420 nightly events going on throughout the weekend. As they continue into the following week, Tuesday the 19th is Eve on the Rocks with Red and Meth at Red Rocks and Wednesday the 20th is Snoop Dogg and Future at Fiddlers Green (must purchase tickets separately to attend concerts. More info on these concerts below).
Declaration Brewing’s 420 Pre-Party
When: Saturday, April 16th, 2016
Where: Declaration Brewing, 2030 S Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80223
Time: From 6pm
Cost: Free
Declaration Brewing are hosting a 420 Pre-Party that will feature Mesmerie Entertainment and their one-of-a-kind 12′ Pot Leaf. Talented aerialists fly high on the Declaration Brewing patio within their festive metal structure designed with Colorado in mind. Expect dazzling fire performances, LED hoop shows, stilt walkers, and more. There will also be a free comedy show from 9pm and Mile High Cajun Food Truck will be serving up food throughout the evening.
FLO 107.1 + Sticky Media’s 420 Event Featuring Public Enemy
When: Sunday, April 17th, 2016
Where: City Hall Event Center, 1136 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Time: Doors open at 8pm
Cost: $20 – $55
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/420PublicEnemy
Sticky Media, Starbuds, Passions, and Flo 107.1 present Public Enemy and 100 Shots for a special 420 Event.
420 Eve on the Rocks
When: Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
Where: Red Rock Amphitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Time: Doors open at 4pm
Cost: Ranges from $35 – $150
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/420EveOnTheRocks
Cervantes’ Masterpiece / Aggie Theatre is excited to announce 420 Eve on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Presented by Native Roots Dispensary, 420 Eve on the Rocks will include performances by Method Man & Redman ft. Ghostface Killah & Raekwon, Collie Buddz, Joey BadA$$, Stick Figure, Dizzy Wright, The Underachievers, Jarren Benton, Whiskey Blanket and Special Guests.
High Times Cannabis Cup Awards Show & Concerts
When: Tuesday, April 19th, 2016
Where: 1STBANK Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, CO 80021
Time: 6pm – 11pm
Cost: GA $50 / VIP $150
Purchase GA tickets at: bit.ly/CannabisCupConcertsGA; Purchase VIP tickets at: bit.ly/CannabisCupConcertsVIP
High Times are hosting their annual Cannabis Cup Awards Show and Concerts at 1StBank Center with performances by Cypress Hill with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Action Bronson, Chronixx & Zincfence Redemption.
KS 107.5 Snoop Dogg, Future & Friends – 3rd Annual MERRY JANE Wellness Retreat
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
Where: Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Englewood, CO 80111
Time: Doors open at 4:30pm
Cost: Ranges from $35 – $85
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/SnoopDoggFutureFriends
KS 107.5 present a special concert in honor of 420: The 3rd Annual Merry Jane Wellness Retreat featuring Snoop Dogg, Kevin Gates, Tory Lanez & Raven Felix.
Capitol Hill Cannabis Activists Assembly
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 1pm – 6pm
Cost: Free
Cannabis Activists are rallying at Civic Center Park where they will voice their rights for normalization after legalization! Bring your signs, your flags, your voices; and your ‘doobies’. For more information visit their Facebook event page.
2016 Connoisseur Cup Finals
When: Wednesday, April 20th through Sunday, April 24th, 2016
Where: Throughout Denver, CO for competition. Award show Friday, April 22nd, 2016: City Hall Event Center, 1136 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Cost: Ranges from $15 – $440
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/ConnoisseurCupFinals
The Cannabis Connoisseur’s Coalition has toured across Colorado in search of the finest Cannabis & Concentrates the State has to offer for the last year. So far they have over 25 amazing strains that have qualified for a shot to win the 2016 Connoisseur Cup BEST Cannabis and BEST Concentrate in Colorado award. All entires that have not Pre Qualified can still enter the People’s Choice division that are both Judged by their Connoisseur Judges and the actual People of the Canna World Community.
Official Judges are:
Afroman * Devin The Dude * Uncle Stoner with Stoners Guide to Amsterdam * Louis Zerobnick wtih THC Magazine * Sly Vegas Photography * Ian Florini from Dabstars * The Mountain Man * Jake Browne with The Cannabist/Denver Post * Kevin Mahamili representing NORML * Jay Hood aka “The Cold Purge King” from Full Blown Concentrates * Derek Roman & Kimi Shepard from the Hash Castle * Dawn Maire with the Woman’s Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.
Enter your BEST Cannabis and Concentrates at their participating Cannabis Clubs up until April 15th or call (970) 279-1420 for pick-up. Each of the 4 days will have three People’s Choice Judging & Tasting Passes at Private Location available each day: *Wake & Bake Judging ticket from 10am to 2pm. *4:20 Safety Meeting Ticket that goes from 4:20pm to 6:30pm *7:10 ticket that includes the VIP 420 Celebrity after party for that night until closing (Judging tools sponsored by Nectar Collector and O.penvape).
The Green Solution Presents: 2016 Connoisseur Cup Award show Friday April 22nd at City Hall with: Afroman * Java Starr from Devin the Dude’s Coughee Brothaz * Lil Flip * with special guest TBA, Comedy from Jeff Petterson and Performances by Sticky Green Records, Black Angus, DR DB KUSH, Lyrical Villain and more. The Colorado Springs Connoisseur Cup Closing Party with Devin the Dude at The Dab Lounge on Sunday April 24th.
The Colorado Cup
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
Where: Rigs 4 Us, 5912 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Time: 2pm – 11pm
Cost: Free to attend / $35 guest judges collectable hatpin to try all of the entries and vote on peoples choice with your own separate dab bar just for you. / $40 to enter your flower.
Enter by emailing: Denver420Events@gmail.com
The Colorado Cup is a colorado competition for colorado growers, caregivers and recreational and medical shops. Enter your flower or concentrate to be judged by some of colorado’s and the country’s top cannabis connoisseurs and guests who attend the event. Judging will be done the weekend and week before the event by the judges and peoples choice will be chosen the night of the event. Categories: Peoples Choice Flower, Peoples Choice Concentrate, Highest Testing Overall, Highest Testing Flower, Highest CBD Overall, 1st, 2nd, 3rd for Flower and Wax/Shatter in Sativa – Hybrid – Indica (determined by test results and judges scores), Best Terps (concentrate), Best overall concentrate, Best overall flower, Best overall rosin, Best overall edible.
420 Medicinal Fried Chicken Dinner
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2016
Where: Dunbar Kitchen & Tap House, 2844 Welton St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: From 6pm
Cost: $40
Dad & Dude’s Breweria are hosting a special 420 Medicinal Fried Chicken Dinner at Dunbar Kitchen & Taphouse. Tickets will include Welcome Apps and 3 courses along with four 10oz. pours of Dad & Dude’s Breweria CBD-infused beers: Pineapple Express- Honey Blonde with Pineapples, Toffee Porter, Sativa IPA & Leaves of Lemongrass Wheat.
Happy 420 Denver!
Ryan Falber
April 13, 2016 at 7:33 pmYou missed one. https://www.facebook.com/events/1037304456343557/
Mor Zucker
April 13, 2016 at 9:53 pmThanks Ryan! The Colorado Cup has been added to the guide. Happy 420!