Founders: David Tomas Martinez and Kelsy Yates launched Police & Thieves in 2022.

Cherry Creek: Police & Thieves’ location at 399 South Harrison Street in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood.

There are many options for dispensaries in Colorado. In fact, there are over 1,000 in Colorado. One dispensary has stood out since 2022 as a boutique shop catering to all types of customers. Kelsy Yates, co-owner of Police & Thieves was an employee of Frosted Leaf since 2010. In 2022, Yates, along with her partner David Tomas Martinez, purchased Frosted Leaf and opened Police & Thieves in the same locations in the Cherry Creek and Mayfair neighborhoods.

“Two years ago, I split with that group and took the business,” said Yates. “David and I decided we wanted to keep it and run it. Part of that is because we like Denver and have an affinity for Denver. Our kids were born here and we spent three years here.”

Yates and Martinez have aspirations to expand but are doing it the smart way and not moving too fast. “This is a saturated market,” said Yates. “If we can make it here, we can make it anywhere. The goal is to have other locations.”

The unique name for this dispensary is actually based on a reggae song. “Police and Thieves” was first recorded by the falsetto singer Junior Murvin in 1976. The lyrics describe police and thieves — both armed — as the proverbial different sides of the same coin. As a young gang member, company co-founder David Tomas Martinez used to listen to this song in his friends’ cars — a rare moment of joy in a viperous environment. Decades later, when Martinez and Yates were thinking of starting a marijuana company, he remembered this song.

“When Kelsy and I were throwing out names, we wanted something distinctive,” said Martinez. “Police and Thieves is a classic song about revolution, rebellion, and it was used in England during a tumultuous time. It’s a forgotten song and that drew me to it. This is something that needs to be remembered and recognized.”

Police & Thieves specializes in hand selected premium marijuana strains and prides itself in providing excellent customer service. Police & Thieves is a welcoming environment and whether you are coming in for the first time or the 100th, you will be treated with respect by a knowledgeable staff.

“Our staff is well-versed in all of the products,” said Yates. “I think we have a good handful of people who are first time customers. We might not carry everything they want so it is on our staff to navigate them to something that will work for them.” It allows a customer the opportunity to choose something that will work for them if they are not well versed in the marijuana industry.

Part of this customer service revolves around community and that is a big reason Police & Thieves joined the Chamber. “Police & Thieves is about community,” said Martinez. “Having community means embracing all parts of it. That means embracing all ethnicities, all genders, and all sexualities. Part of that is getting to know the business folks in Glendale. It’s part of our mission.”

Police & Thieves has two locations: 6302 E. Colfax Avenue in Denver, and 399 South Harrison Street in Denver. Police & Thieves will host a holiday party on December 16 at the Creswell Mansion (known as the MJ Mansion) at 1244 N. Grant Street in Denver. Visit www.policeandthieves.com for more information about their story, products, and events.