Know the law and FAQs about natural medicine in Denver

Person holding forceps moving natural medicine product in petri dish

This page provides an overview of the laws and regulations about natural medicine in Denver. As well as frequently asked questions.

Know the law about natural medicine in Denver

For businesses:

  • Regulated natural medicine includes psilocybin and psilocin. Natural medicine for personal use also includes ibogaine, mescaline and DMT.
  • It is against the law to sell natural medicine in Colorado.
  • A state and local license is required to operate a natural medicine healing center. A state license is required to operate a cultivation facility, manufacturing facility, or testing facility.
  • It is unlawful to operate a healing center or offer on-premises consumption of natural medicine as part of a business promotion or commercial activity without a state and local license.
  • Open and public display and consumption of natural medicine is unlawful.
  • Outdoor advertising of natural medicine business activities is prohibited in Denver. Advertising that is false, misleading, appeals to minors, or misappropriates Native American or Indigenous cultures is not allowed.

For consumers/visitors:

  • Personal use of natural medicine is allowed by state law. Natural medicine for personal use includes psilocybin, psilocin, ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT. Regulated natural medicine includes psilocybin and psilocin only.
  • It is against the law to buy or sell psilocybin mushrooms, psilocybin products, or any other type of natural medicine. Synthetic versions of these substances are unlawful to have or sell.
  • To get regulated natural medicine, you must visit a licensed natural medicine healing center for an administration session. Or have an administration session with a licensed facilitator at your home or a health care facility.
  • Advertising of natural medicine that is false, misleading, appeals to minors, or misappropriates Native American or Indigenous cultures is against the law.
  • Open and public consumption or display of natural medicine is prohibited.
  • To file a complaint about suspected unlawful activities, visit www.DenverGov.org/ConsumerProtection.

Frequently asked questions

What is natural medicine?

Regulated natural medicine includes psilocybin and psilocin. For information about other types of natural medicine allowed for personal use, consult the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Where can I find Denver's laws and regulations for natural medicine?

The Denver Natural Medicine Code can be found in Chapter 6, Article VI of the Denver Revised Municipal Code.

State laws related to natural medicine can be found in the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Rules for natural medicine businesses are on the Colorado Natural Medicine Division's website. Rules for natural medicine facilitators and related professions are on the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations website.

Does Denver require a local license for natural medicine businesses?

Denver requires natural medicine healing centers to get a local license as well as the state license. Certain exceptions may apply. Consult Sec. 6-304(b) of the Denver Natural Medicine Code for more information.

Denver does not require natural medicine cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities, or testing facilities to get a local license. A state license is required.

Who is exempt from getting a Denver healing center license?

The following do not require local licensure:

  • Any healing center that allows only clinical facilitators to perform any of the following natural medicine services: preparation sessions, administration sessions, or integration sessions. Such healing centers may also allow individuals holding a natural medicine training license issued by the state to perform natural medicine services if they also hold an active and valid Colorado license in a practice area that meets state requirements for a clinical facilitator license.
  • Any federally recognized American tribe, as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, member(s) performing a bona fide religious, culturally traditional, or spiritual ceremony that is not associated with commercial, business, or for-profit activity. These tribe members must inform the person engaging in the ceremony that the individual is not a facilitator.

What is the fee for a natural medicine healing center license?

An applicant for a Denver natural medicine healing center license must pay a one-time application fee of $100. The annual license fee is $100. For state license fees, consult the Colorado Natural Medicine Division's website.

Where can natural medicine healing centers open?

Healing centers cannot open within 1,000 feet of any school, child care center, or residential child care facility. The location of healing centers and all other types of natural medicine businesses must follow the requirements of the Denver Zoning Code.

Watch an informational video about the rules and regulations for natural medicine in Denver

Watch the video here