Colorado’s Psychedelic Healing Centers: The Future of Mental Health Care Starts in 2025!

Colorado is on the verge of a groundbreaking shift in mental health care as it gears up to launch its state-licensed psychedelic therapy program. Set to begin accepting license applications on December 31, the program aims to open its first psychedelic healing centers by June 2025, making Colorado the second state in the nation—after Oregon—to embrace this innovative approach to treating mental health conditions.

The move represents a significant step forward in addressing conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction through supervised psychedelic therapy, while also highlighting the logistical and societal challenges of implementing such a program.

Advocates and mental health professionals are heralding the legalization of psychedelic therapy as a transformative moment for the field. Mikki Vogt, a licensed therapist in Littleton, sees the program as a potential game changer. “The legalization of psychedelic therapy in Colorado is a game changer for therapists like myself who are constantly searching for more ways to help our clients heal from debilitating conditions like depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD,” Vogt said.

In rural areas, where mental health resources are often scarce, the impact could be even greater. Erica Messinger, a registered nurse in Dolores, believes that psychedelic therapy could be a lifeline for communities struggling with a worsening mental health crisis. “I’m tired of seeing people in my community struggle... despite our best efforts to help them find relief,” Messinger said. “Psychedelic therapy to me presents a new hope for Coloradans who continue to suffer.”

Colorado’s program follows a timeline similar to Oregon, which began its psychedelic therapy program in 2023. Applications for licenses in Colorado will open at the end of 2023, with the first centers expected to begin operations in mid-2025.

Oregon’s rollout provides valuable lessons for Colorado. The state faced challenges with regulatory delays, the high cost of training for facilitators, and public skepticism. Colorado hopes to avoid these pitfalls by learning from Oregon’s experience and streamlining the licensing and operational processes.

Still, local governments in Colorado have already begun setting restrictions. In Colorado Springs, for example, city officials passed an ordinance requiring healing centers to be at least one mile from schools and daycares. Councilman Brian Risley voiced caution about the program’s impact. “I, for one, do not feel very comfortable with being on the cutting edge, maybe even the bleeding edge, with how to experiment with this in the community,” Risley said.

Not all communities share this cautious perspective. Advocates argue that overly restrictive zoning laws could limit the program’s effectiveness, particularly for populations like veterans who often struggle with severe mental health challenges.

Taylor West, executive director of the Healing Advocacy Fund, expressed disappointment with Colorado Springs’ restrictions. “We know that there’s a significant veterans population in Colorado Springs, and those are folks who have some of the most dramatic needs for this kind of work,” West said.

On a broader scale, the state is emphasizing safety. Psychedelic mushrooms will only be administered under supervision in licensed healing centers, and the program is expected to include robust training and monitoring requirements for facilitators.

While Colorado moves forward, the program still exists in a gray area under federal law. Psychedelic mushrooms, like marijuana, remain illegal at the federal level. However, advocates believe the federal government is unlikely to interfere, citing its largely hands-off approach to state cannabis programs.

President-elect Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also hinted at openness to psychedelics for therapeutic purposes, saying in a September Instagram post, “People ought to have the freedom and the liberty to experiment with these hallucinogens to overcome debilitating disorders.”

As Colorado moves toward the opening of its first healing centers, the program represents both a bold step forward and a significant challenge. With rural providers eager to expand access, local officials debating zoning rules, and federal uncertainty lingering, the success of Colorado’s program will depend on careful implementation and public support.

If successful, the initiative could set a standard for other states exploring the potential of psychedelic therapy—bringing new hope to those who have long struggled with treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

Will Colorado’s Psychedelic Therapy Program Be a Game Changer for Mental Health?

• Yes, it has the potential to revolutionize care.
• Maybe, but only if implementation is smooth.
• No, the challenges outweigh the benefits.