The city of Denver is moving to suspend an East Colfax vape shop’s business license after investigators found the store allegedly sold illicit products to minors on multiple occasions.
“This is one of the worst cases of alleged illegal products sales by a business the city has ever uncovered in random inspections of convenience stores in Denver history,” city spokesperson Eric Escudero wrote in an email to Denverite.
According to the suspension order, Vibe Smoke Shop, located at 7530 E. Colfax Ave., has a history of illegal underage sales dating back to June 2025. The store’s owners denied the allegations.
City authorities found that the store sold tobacco, marijuana, kratom, alcohol, and psilocybin products to minors. Psilocybin is a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms — and, increasingly, in gray market products.
The timeline outlined in the suspension order states that numerous community complaints about the shop’s illegal sales were submitted to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment starting in January. Undercover investigations, including one conducted by a “youth tobacco operative,” confirmed that the shop was selling to minors.
One complainant contacted the department multiple times, claiming their son and his friend were able to buy kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine products, commonly known as “7-OH,” on multiple occasions, which resulted in the two minors needing addiction treatment.
According to Escudero, underage sales are the most common violation that businesses commit. However, “it’s very rare” for inspections to lead to a business license suspension.
“Only in the most extreme cases,” he told Denverite.
There will be a virtual hearing on June 26 where Vibe Smoke Shop’s ownership can argue to the city why its license should not be revoked.
Until the hearing, the shop can still operate and sell pre-packaged food but is prohibited from selling retail tobacco products.
The shop’s owner, Henos Abraha, denies all the allegations. He received the summary suspension order Tuesday in an email, saying it came as a surprise.
“Some of the data that they mentioned in the email, we were never aware of,” he told Denverite in a phone call, referring to the multiple violations outlined in the suspension order. “How come we never got a ticket?”
Abraha said he has owned the shop for almost two years. He plans to fight the suspension at the upcoming hearing.
“If you’re accusing me of doing something wrong, show me the evidence,” he said. “There is no evidence other than allegations.”
