- Many Colorado municipalities are imposing zoning laws or temporary moratoriums on psilocybin therapy centers despite state-level legalization.
- Psilocybin therapy has been shown to help treat depression, PTSD, and addiction, yet local restrictions slow access to these treatments.
- Proposition 122 does not allow cities to ban psilocybin therapy outright, but municipalities are using zoning laws to limit its reach.
- Some areas like Summit County are embracing psychedelic healing centers, setting a precedent for gradual acceptance across the state.
- Experts believe education, advocacy, and successful case studies will play a key role in shifting public and governmental perceptions.
Colorado made history by legalizing psilocybin therapy through Proposition 122 in 2022, but local governments have been slow to embrace the move. Cities across the state are imposing zoning restrictions and temporary moratoriums on psychedelic healing centers, raising concerns about access to these services. Why are some municipalities resisting, and what does this mean for the future of psilocybin therapy in Colorado?
Proposition 122 and Psilocybin Legalization in Colorado
Proposition 122, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act, legalized psilocybin therapy statewide. Unlike cannabis legalization, the law does not include a local opt-out provision, meaning no municipality can outright ban the establishment of psilocybin therapy centers. Instead, the state allows licensed healing centers to offer guided psychedelic experiences, with oversight provided by regulators.
The reasoning behind this law was simple: Colorado has long struggled with access to mental health care. Ranking last in adult mental health services in 2021 (KDVR News, 2021), the state sought alternative treatments for conditions where traditional approaches have fallen short. Research has increasingly shown psilocybin's potential in addressing depression, addiction, and PTSD, making the passage of Proposition 122 a significant moment for mental health reform.
However, actual implementation has proven more complicated. Many cities, nervous about how to regulate psychedelic healing centers, are slowing the process by introducing zoning laws and temporary bans.
Local Restrictions: Moratoriums and Zoning Laws
Although state law allows psilocybin therapy, many Colorado municipalities have enforced restrictive zoning regulations or outright moratoriums to delay its implementation. Some of the key examples include:
- Keystone: A moratorium is in place until February 2026, preventing any psilocybin healing centers from opening while officials determine local guidelines.
- Colorado Springs: The city passed a zoning ordinance forbidding psilocybin centers within one mile of schools, daycares, and drug treatment facilities, dramatically limiting potential locations.
- Berthoud: A moratorium lasting until May 2026 was approved, effectively keeping out psilocybin therapy businesses for the immediate future.
These restrictions pose major operational challenges for entrepreneurs hoping to establish legal healing centers. The longer municipal governments delay action, the harder it becomes for psilocybin therapy to gain mainstream acceptance.
Reasons for Local Government Pushback
Statewide legalization does not necessarily mean universal acceptance. Various municipal governments continue to resist the implementation of psilocybin therapy for several key reasons:
Concerns Over Public Safety
Psilocybin remains a controlled substance at the federal level, and many officials worry about the potential risks associated with its use. While clinical studies suggest that professionally supervised psilocybin sessions are safe and effective, fear of misuse remains a sticking point for legislators.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Legalizing psilocybin therapy is still uncharted territory. Unlike cannabis, which has had a more gradual state-by-state acceptance, psychedelic therapy lacks large-scale regulatory precedents. Municipalities may simply not know how to regulate healing centers, leading to "wait and see" approaches with moratoriums.
Social and Cultural Stigma
Despite growing scientific support for psilocybin-assisted therapy, public perception remains a barrier. For decades, psychedelics were associated with counterculture movements and classified as dangerous drugs. Some communities still view psilocybin with suspicion, making elected officials hesitant to welcome such a new industry.
Resistance from Municipalities That Opposed Proposition 122
Certain counties, including El Paso County, voted against Proposition 122, showing clear opposition from local voters. In these areas, officials feel politically justified in restricting psilocybin therapy centers, even if they cannot legally ban them outright.
The Mental Health Argument: Why Psilocybin Therapy Matters
While local governments hesitate, mental health advocates argue that blocking psilocybin therapy denies critical treatment options to those in need. Traditional psychiatric medications and talk therapy are not always effective, especially for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
Studies from institutions like Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London suggest psychedelic-assisted therapy has the potential to revolutionize mental health care. Even the FDA has designated psilocybin as a "Breakthrough Therapy" for major depressive disorder, acknowledging its significant therapeutic potential.
Colorado's poor track record for mental health care access raises major concerns. Restricting psychedelic treatment options only exacerbates an already dire situation, making it harder for people to receive the care they need.
Divergent Approaches Across Colorado
While some cities remain skeptical, others are embracing the therapeutic potential of psilocybin:
- Summit County: Has positioned itself as a growing hub for psychedelic healing centers, with towns like Breckenridge and Frisco openly supporting the industry.
- Denver: Decriminalized psilocybin in 2019, before statewide legalization, setting a precedent for early acceptance of psychedelic medicine.
- Public Education Initiatives: Communities that encourage discussions and research on psilocybin may play a role in shifting larger public attitudes over time.
These diverging policies suggest that psilocybin access in Colorado will vary greatly depending on location, mirroring the uneven rollout of cannabis legalization in earlier years.
Impact on Entrepreneurs and the Psilocybin Industry
For business owners and therapists hoping to establish legal psychedelic healing centers, municipal resistance creates serious obstacles:
- Limited locations due to strict zoning laws
- Uncertainty around evolving regulations
- Potential increases in underground or unregulated therapy
Without a clear regulatory structure, entrepreneurs face difficulty securing funding, attracting clients, and ensuring legal compliance. This could delay industry growth or push psilocybin therapy into unregulated markets, ultimately creating more risks for patients.
Future of Psilocybin Therapy in Colorado
Despite the challenges, the growth of psilocybin therapy in Colorado is likely to continue evolving based on three major factors:
- Successful Case Studies – As the first licensed healing centers begin operating, their results could convince skeptical municipalities to relax restrictions.
- Continued Clinical Research – Ongoing studies validating psilocybin’s therapeutic potential may increase public and political support over time.
- Adjustments to State Policies – Some restrictions could be addressed via state-level regulatory changes, creating clearer guidelines for local implementation.
If psilocybin therapy produces positive mental health outcomes, support for these treatments will likely grow, leading to gradual policy shifts.
What Advocates and Entrepreneurs Can Do
Those pushing for broader acceptance of psilocybin therapy can take practical steps to shift local policies:
- Engage directly with local government officials and advocate for well-regulated, safe psilocybin therapy options.
- Comply with zoning regulations while working toward expanding access through discussions with municipalities.
- Educate communities through public seminars, research presentations, and media engagement, helping reshape existing stigmas.
By fostering open discussions and emphasizing the scientific evidence behind psilocybin therapy, advocates can play a significant role in changing perceptions and policies.
Colorado’s psychedelic policy landscape is still developing. While pushback from some cities is slowing the progress, successful implementation elsewhere may pave the way for broader statewide adoption. Constant advocacy, scientific validation, and real-world success stories will be key in shaping the future of psilocybin therapy in Colorado.
Citations
- Colorado Public Radio. (2024). Colorado Springs tightens zoning laws for psilocybin healing centers. Retrieved from https://www.cpr.org
- Green Market Report. (2024). Colorado issues first psilocybin business permits. Retrieved from https://www.greenmarketreport.com
- KDVR News. (2021). Colorado ranked last in the U.S. for adult mental health services. Retrieved from https://kdvr.com
- Denver Post. (2019). Denver’s psilocybin decriminalization initiative. Retrieved from https://www.denverpost.com
