Establishing state hemp programs in the U.S. West creates an increased need for economic professionals to understand key supply chain issues for this new alternative crop. The Colorado Hemp Advancement Management Plan (CHAMP) is a comprehensive blueprint for the state’s fledgling hemp industry. Making the plan entailed an examination of the complete supply chain, with input gathered from over 150 stakeholders organized into 8 thematic supply chain groups. This article reflects on the CHAMP initiative by describing the state’s hemp sector and summarizing key issues related to research and development, cultivation, testing, processing, transportation, manufacturing, and banking and insurance segments of the supply chain. These issues will likely pertain to other western hemp programs beyond Colorado as they also make headway into this sector.