How much does smoking cost in Colorado? (2026)
$10.28
average pack in Colorado (Jan 2026), #24 most expensive of 51. State excise $2.24 + federal $1.01.
$3,752a year for a pack a day
6.5%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$51,345roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real Colorado prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $26,875 | $54,951 |
| 2006 | $44,913 | $172,553 |
| 1996 | $55,277 | $274,152 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in Colorado
| 1970 | $0.31 |
| 1980 | $0.58 |
| 1990 | $1.46 |
| 2000 | $2.93 |
| 2010 | $5.10 |
| 2020 | $5.82 |
| 2026 | $10.28 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In Colorado, 8.2% of adults smoke, down from 18.3% in 2011. 26.7% are former smokers: more people in Colorado have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.