Smoking at Denver International Airport – DEN – 2026

Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States by total area and one of the busiest, handling over 69 million passengers a year. DEN closed its last indoor smoking lounge back in 2018, and today the entire airport is smoke-free indoors. The only places you can smoke are the outdoor designated areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal, which means if you are already past security at one of the concourses, you have a long trip ahead of you.

Understanding the layout is important because it directly affects how and where you can smoke. Denver International has one main building and three separate concourses:

All three concourses are physically separated from the Jeppesen Terminal. You reach them via an automated underground train system. There are no outdoor areas, balconies, or smoking rooms at any of the concourses.

The Jeppesen Terminal is where all the designated outdoor smoking areas are located. They are spread across both the west and east sides of the building on multiple levels. You must be at least 20 feet from any door, window, or air intake when smoking.

West Side:

East Side:

DEN Plaza:

These outdoor areas are accessible around the clock. They are uncovered and exposed to the elements, which in Denver can mean anything from intense sun to snow, depending on the season.

Concourse A handles a mix of domestic and international flights. Gates run from A24 through A95 and beyond. Airlines operating here include Frontier, United (some gates), and several international carriers.

Smoking areas: None. Concourse A is entirely smoke-free. There are no outdoor areas, no smoking rooms, and no designated spots of any kind. The concourse is a sealed building connected to the Jeppesen Terminal only by the underground train.

Concourse B is the largest of Denver’s three concourses and serves as a major hub for United Airlines, along with Southwest and other carriers. Gates run from B16 through B95 and beyond.

Smoking areas: None. Like Concourse A, there is nothing here for smokers. No indoor rooms, no outdoor patios, no exceptions. The concourse is completely enclosed with no exterior access.

Concourse C is the smallest concourse, with gates running from C24 through C50+. It handles a mix of airlines including United and regional carriers.

Smoking areas: None. Same as the other concourses. Completely smoke-free with no outdoor access and no designated smoking spots.

This is the biggest challenge for smokers at DEN. If you are connecting between flights and already past security at one of the concourses, getting to a smoking area and back is a serious time commitment:

Realistically, this round trip takes 45 to 60 minutes on a good day. During peak travel periods, holiday weekends, or when TSA lines are backed up, it can take over an hour. Do not attempt this unless you have at least 90 minutes before your next flight departs.

This catches a lot of travelers off guard. While recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, Denver International Airport is on federal property and subject to federal law. Cannabis is prohibited everywhere at DEN, including the outdoor smoking areas. This applies to smoking, vaping, edibles, and possession. Marijuana amnesty boxes were previously located near the security checkpoint for travelers to dispose of cannabis before entering, though availability varies.

Vapes and e-cigarettes are treated the same as traditional cigarettes at DEN. They are banned inside the Jeppesen Terminal and all three concourses. You may only use them in the outdoor designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal, at least 20 feet from doors and windows.

If you are heading to Las Vegas from Denver, you will find a very different situation — LAS has indoor gaming lounges where you can smoke after security. Flights to Salt Lake City or Los Angeles LAX land you at airports with a similar outdoor-only policy.

DEN Airport Layout

Understanding the layout is important because it directly affects how and where you can smoke. Denver International has one main building and three separate concourses:

• Jeppesen Terminal - The main terminal building where you check in, go through security, pick up bags, and access ground transportation. This is the only building with outdoor smoking access.
• Concourse A - Connected to Jeppesen Terminal by an underground train. Gates A24 through A95+.
• Concourse B - The largest concourse, also connected by underground train. Gates B16 through B95+.
• Concourse C - Connected by underground train. Gates C24 through C50+.

All three concourses are physically separated from the Jeppesen Terminal. You reach them via an automated underground train system. There are no outdoor areas, balconies, or smoking rooms at any of the concourses.

Jeppesen Terminal Smoking Areas

The Jeppesen Terminal is where all the designated outdoor smoking areas are located. They are spread across both the west and east sides of the building on multiple levels. You must be at least 20 feet from any door, window, or air intake when smoking.

West Side:

• Level 4: Doors 400 and 416
• Level 5: Doors 500 and 516
• Level 6: Door 616

East Side:

• Level 4: Doors 401 and 417
• Level 5: Doors 501 and 517
• Level 6: Doors 601 and 617

DEN Plaza:

• Outside the south center doors of the terminal
• Cigarette disposal receptacles are provided near the edges of the plaza area

These outdoor areas are accessible around the clock. They are uncovered and exposed to the elements, which in Denver can mean anything from intense sun to snow, depending on the season.

Concourse A

Concourse A handles a mix of domestic and international flights. Gates run from A24 through A95 and beyond. Airlines operating here include Frontier, United (some gates), and several international carriers.

Smoking areas: None. Concourse A is entirely smoke-free. There are no outdoor areas, no smoking rooms, and no designated spots of any kind. The concourse is a sealed building connected to the Jeppesen Terminal only by the underground train.

Concourse B

Concourse B is the largest of Denver’s three concourses and serves as a major hub for United Airlines, along with Southwest and other carriers. Gates run from B16 through B95 and beyond.

Smoking areas: None. Like Concourse A, there is nothing here for smokers. No indoor rooms, no outdoor patios, no exceptions. The concourse is completely enclosed with no exterior access.

Concourse C

Concourse C is the smallest concourse, with gates running from C24 through C50+. It handles a mix of airlines including United and regional carriers.

Smoking areas: None. Same as the other concourses. Completely smoke-free with no outdoor access and no designated smoking spots.

Smoking During a Layover

This is the biggest challenge for smokers at DEN. If you are connecting between flights and already past security at one of the concourses, getting to a smoking area and back is a serious time commitment:

1. Take the underground train from your concourse back to the Jeppesen Terminal
2. Exit the secure area
3. Walk to one of the outdoor designated smoking areas
4. Smoke
5. Return inside and go through TSA security screening again
6. Take the underground train back to your concourse

Realistically, this round trip takes 45 to 60 minutes on a good day. During peak travel periods, holiday weekends, or when TSA lines are backed up, it can take over an hour. Do not attempt this unless you have at least 90 minutes before your next flight departs.

Cannabis Policy

This catches a lot of travelers off guard. While recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, Denver International Airport is on federal property and subject to federal law. Cannabis is prohibited everywhere at DEN, including the outdoor smoking areas. This applies to smoking, vaping, edibles, and possession. Marijuana amnesty boxes were previously located near the security checkpoint for travelers to dispose of cannabis before entering, though availability varies.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping

Vapes and e-cigarettes are treated the same as traditional cigarettes at DEN. They are banned inside the Jeppesen Terminal and all three concourses. You may only use them in the outdoor designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal, at least 20 feet from doors and windows.

Tips for Smokers at DEN

• Smoke before you enter the terminal. Once you clear security, your next opportunity is a 45-60 minute round trip away.
• If you have a long layover and plan to smoke, do it early. Do not wait until 30 minutes before boarding.
• The outdoor areas at the Jeppesen Terminal are unsheltered. Denver weather can be extreme, so dress for it if you know you will need to step outside.
• Concourses A, B, and C have no smoking options whatsoever. Do not waste time looking.
• If you are arriving and picking up bags, the outdoor areas at Level 5 (Doors 500/501, 516/517) are closest to the baggage claim level.

If you are heading to Las Vegas from Denver, you will find a very different situation — LAS has indoor gaming lounges where you can smoke after security. Flights to Salt Lake City or Los Angeles LAX land you at airports with a similar outdoor-only policy.

Summary

Useful Links

• Denver International Airport Terminal Maps