C.R.S. § 44-50-101 Short title
44-50-101. Short title. The short title of this article 50 is the "Colorado Natural Medicine Code".
Colorado Natural Medicine Code
C.R.S. tit. 44, art. 50
in effectC.R.S. § 44-50-102 Legislative declaration
44-50-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) The people of Colorado approved statutory measures that, in part, intended to ensure that people in Colorado have access to regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product;
(b) The department is uniquely suited to regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storing, distribution, transportation, transferring, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product because of its experience and existing resources in regulating alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana; and
(c) It is necessary to entrust the regulation of the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storing, distribution, transportation, transferring, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product to the department in order to implement the regulatory measures in a manner that honors the intent of the people, promotes public trust, supports the integrity and sustainability of the regulatory measures, and ensures regulatory efficiency.
(2) The general assembly declares that this article 50 is deemed an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the economic and social welfare and the health, peace, and morals of the people of this state.
(3) The general assembly declares that it is unlawful under state law to cultivate, manufacture, test, store, distribute, transport, transfer, and dispense natural medicine or natural medicine product, except in compliance with the terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions in this article 50; rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50; article 170 of title 12; rules promulgated pursuant to article 170 of title 12; title 16; title 18; article 1.5 of title 25; and rules promulgated pursuant to article 1.5 of title 25.
C.R.S. § 44-50-103 Definitions
44-50-103. Definitions. As used in this article 50, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Administration session" means a session conducted at a healing center, or other location if permitted by this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50, during which a participant consumes and experiences the effects of natural medicine under the supervision of a facilitator.
(2) "Board" means the state natural medicine advisory board created in section 12-170-106.
(3) "Director" means the director of the natural medicine division or the director's designee.
(4) "Division" means the natural medicine division created in the department.
(5) "Facilitator" means a natural person who is twenty-one years of age or older, has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to perform and supervise natural medicine services for a participant, and is licensed to engage in the practice of facilitation by the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies pursuant to article 170 of title 12.
(6) "Healing center" means a facility licensed by the state licensing authority pursuant to this article 50 that permits a facilitator to provide and supervise natural medicine services for a participant.
(7) "Health-care facility" means an entity that is licensed, certified, or otherwise permitted by law to administer medical treatment in this state, including a hospital, hospice facility, community mental health center, federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, organization providing a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, long-term care facility, continuing care retirement community, or other type of entity where health care is provided.
(8) "Integration session" means a meeting between a participant and facilitator that occurs after the completion of an administration session.
(9) "License" means to grant a license, permit, or registration pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(10) "Licensed premises" means the premises specified in an application for a license pursuant to this article 50 that the licensee owns or is in possession of and within which the licensee is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, test, store, distribute, transport, transfer, or dispense natural medicine or natural medicine product in accordance with this article 50.
(11) "Licensee" means a person licensed, registered, or permitted pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(12) "Local jurisdiction" means a county, municipality, or city and county.
(13) (a) "Natural medicine" means the following substances:
(I) Psilocybin; or
(II) Psilocin.
(b) In addition to the substances listed in subsection (13)(a) of this section, "natural medicine" includes:
(I) Dimethyltryptamine, if recommended by the board and approved by the director and the executive director of the state licensing authority for inclusion on or after June 1, 2026;
(II) Ibogaine, if recommended by the board and approved by the director and the executive director of the state licensing authority for inclusion; or
(III) Mescaline, if recommended by the board and approved by the director and the executive director of the state licensing authority for inclusion on or after June 1, 2026.
(c) "Natural medicine" does not mean a synthetic or synthetic analog of the substances listed in subsections (13)(a) and (13)(b) of this section, including a derivative of a naturally occurring compound of natural medicine that is produced using chemical synthesis, chemical modification, or chemical conversion.
tive director of the state licensing authority for inclusion on or after June 1, 2026.
(c) "Natural medicine" does not mean a synthetic or synthetic analog of the substances listed in subsections (13)(a) and (13)(b) of this section, including a derivative of a naturally occurring compound of natural medicine that is produced using chemical synthesis, chemical modification, or chemical conversion.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (13)(b)(III) of this section, "mescaline" does not include peyote, meaning all parts of the plant classified botanically as lophophora williamsii lemaire, whether growing or not; its seeds; any extract from any part of the plant, and every compound, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant; or its seeds or extracts.
(14) "Natural medicine business" means any of the following entities licensed pursuant to this article 50: A natural medicine healing center, a natural medicine cultivation facility, a natural medicine products manufacturer, a natural medicine testing facility, or another licensed entity created by the state licensing authority.
(15) "Natural medicine product" means a product infused with natural medicine that is intended for consumption.
(16) "Natural medicine services" means a preparation session, administration session, and integration session provided pursuant to article 170 of title 12.
(17) "Participant" means a person who is twenty-one years of age or older and who receives natural medicine services performed by and under the supervision of a facilitator.
(18) "Person" means a natural person or an entity.
(19) "Preparation session" means a meeting between a participant and facilitator that occurs before the start of an administration session. "Preparation session" does not mean an initial consultation or an inquiry response about natural medicine services.
(20) "Principle file" means a file that is established by the state licensing authority and contains licensing and background information for an applicant seeking licenses pursuant to this article 50.
(21) "Regulated natural medicine" means natural medicine that is cultivated, manufactured, tested, stored, distributed, transported, transferred, or dispensed pursuant to this article 50.
(22) "Regulated natural medicine product" means natural medicine product that is cultivated, manufactured, tested, stored, distributed, transported, transferred, or dispensed pursuant to this article 50.
(23) "Remuneration" means anything of value, including money, real property, tangible and intangible personal property, a contract right, a chose in action, a service, and any right of use or employment or promise or agreement connected therewith, a business promotion, or commercial activity.
(24) "State licensing authority" means the authority created for the purpose of regulating and controlling the licensing of the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transportation, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product in this state pursuant to section 44-50-201.
(25) "Transfer" means to grant, convey, hand over, assign, sell, exchange, donate, or barter, in any manner and by any means, with or without remuneration.
C.R.S. § 44-50-104 Applicability
44-50-104. Applicability. (1) All businesses, for the purpose of the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product, as defined in this article 50, are subject to the terms and conditions of this article 50 and rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(2) A person applying for licensure pursuant to this article 50 must complete forms as provided by the state licensing authority and must pay the application fee and the licensing fee, which must be credited to the regulated natural medicine division cash fund established pursuant to section 44-50-601. The state licensing authority shall prioritize reviewing applications from applicants who have established residency in Colorado.
(3) This article 50 sets forth the exclusive means that the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product may occur in this state.
(4) (a) Nothing in this article 50 is intended to require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of or impairment from natural medicine or natural medicine product in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of or impairment from natural medicine or natural medicine product by employees in the workplace.
(b) Nothing in this article 50 prohibits a person, employer, school, hospital, detention facility, corporation, or any other entity that occupies, owns, or controls a property from prohibiting or otherwise regulating the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of natural medicine or natural medicine product on or in that property.
(5) (a) A local jurisdiction may enact ordinances or regulations governing the time, place, and manner of the operation of licenses issued pursuant to this article 50 within its boundaries.
(b) A local jurisdiction may not prohibit the establishment or operation of licenses pursuant to this article 50 within its boundaries.
(c) A local jurisdiction may not prohibit the transportation of natural medicine or natural medicine product within its boundaries on public roads by a person licensed to exercise such privileges pursuant to this article 50.
(d) A local jurisdiction may not adopt ordinances or regulations that are unreasonable or conflict with this article 50.
C.R.S. § 44-50-201 State licensing authority - creation - profiting from licensee
44-50-201. State licensing authority - creation - profiting from licensee. (1) For the purpose of regulating and licensing the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of natural medicine or natural medicine product by and between natural medicine licensees in this state, there is created the state licensing authority, which is the executive director, or the director of the natural medicine division if designated by the executive director.
(2) The executive director is the chief administrative officer of the state licensing authority and may employ, pursuant to section 13 of article XII of the state constitution, such officers and employees as determined to be necessary. The officers and employees are a part of the department.
(3) The executive director of the state licensing authority or a state licensing authority employee with regulatory oversight responsibilities for the natural medicine licensees that are licensed by the state licensing authority shall not work for, represent, provide consulting services to, or otherwise derive pecuniary gain from a natural medicine licensee that is licensed by the state licensing authority or any other business established for the primary purpose of providing services to the natural medicine industry for a period of six months after the employee's last day of employment with the state licensing authority.
C.R.S. § 44-50-202 Powers and duties of state licensing authority - report - rules
44-50-202. Powers and duties of state licensing authority - report - rules. (1) The state licensing authority shall:
(a) Beginning on or before December 31, 2024, grant or refuse state licenses for the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product; suspend, fine, restrict, or revoke such licenses, whether active, expired, or surrendered, upon a violation of this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50; and impose any penalty authorized by this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50. The state licensing authority may take any action with respect to a registration or permit pursuant to this article 50 as it may with respect to a license issued pursuant to this article 50, in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to this article 50.
(b) Promulgate rules for the proper regulation and control of the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product and for the enforcement of this article 50 and promulgate amended rules and such special rulings and findings as necessary;
(c) Conduct investigations and hearings, gather evidence, and pursue disciplinary actions with respect to licenses when the state licensing authority has reasonable cause to believe that a person or entity is violating this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50;
(d) (I) Petition a district court for an investigative subpoena applicable to a person who is not licensed pursuant to this article 50 to obtain documents or information necessary to enforce a provision of this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50 after reasonable efforts have been made to obtain requested documents or information without a subpoena;
(II) Apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to temporarily restrain or preliminarily or permanently enjoin the act in question of a person who is not licensed pursuant to this article 50 and to enforce compliance with this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50 whenever it appears to the director of the natural medicine division upon sufficient evidence satisfactory to the director of the natural medicine division that a person has been or is committing an act prohibited by this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50, and the act:
(A) Threatens public health or safety; or
(B) Constitutes an unlawful act for which the person does not hold the required license pursuant to this article 50;
(e) Hear and determine at a public hearing any contested state license denial and any complaints against a licensee and administer oaths and issue subpoenas to require the presence of persons and the production of papers, books, and records necessary to the determination of any hearing so held, all in accordance with article 4 of title 24. The state licensing authority may, in its discretion, delegate to the department's hearing officers the authority to conduct licensing, disciplinary, and rule-making hearings pursuant to section 24-4-105. When conducting the hearings, the hearing officers are employees of the state licensing authority under the direction and supervision of the executive director and the state licensing authority.
(f) Develop forms, licenses, identification cards, and applications as necessary or convenient in the discretion of the state licensing authority for the administration of this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50;
hearing officers are employees of the state licensing authority under the direction and supervision of the executive director and the state licensing authority.
(f) Develop forms, licenses, identification cards, and applications as necessary or convenient in the discretion of the state licensing authority for the administration of this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50;
(g) In coordination with the division of professions and occupations within the department of regulatory agencies pursuant to section 12-170-105 (1)(j), annually publish a publicly available report concerning the implementation and administration of this article 50 and article 170 of title 12. The report must use relevant data, as determined by the state licensing authority and the director, and must not disclose the identity of any participant or include any information that could disclose the identity of a participant.
(h) Develop and promote accurate public education campaigns related to the use of natural medicine or natural medicine product, including public service announcements, educational materials, and appropriate crisis response materials, and develop and promote training materials for first responders and multi-responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical providers, social services providers, and fire fighters.
(2) Nothing in this article 50 delegates to the state licensing authority the power to fix prices for regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product.
(3) Nothing in this article 50 limits a law enforcement agency's ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a natural medicine licensee. A law enforcement agency has the authority to run a Colorado crime information center criminal history record check of a licensee or employee of a licensee during an investigation of unlawful activity related to natural medicine or natural medicine product.
(4) The state licensing authority shall coordinate with the executive director of the department of public health and environment concerning the establishment of standards for licensing laboratories pursuant to the requirements outlined in section 25-1.5-120 for regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product.
(5) The state licensing authority shall, when financially feasible, establish procedures, policies, and programs to ensure this article 50 and rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50 are equitable and inclusive and promote the licensing, registration, and permitting of, and provision of natural medicine and natural medicine product to, persons from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by high rates of arrest for controlled substances, persons who face barriers to health-care access, persons who have traditional, tribal, or Indigenous history with natural medicine or natural medicine product, or persons who are veterans. The state licensing authority may consult the board when considering procedures, policies, and programs pursuant to this subsection (5).
(6) The state licensing authority has authority to collect available and relevant data necessary to perform functions and duties necessary to administer this article 50.
(7) The state licensing authority, in coordination with other relevant agencies, shall request available and relevant data concerning law enforcement incidences, adverse health events, impacts to health-care systems, consumer protection claims, and behavioral health impacts related to natural medicine, natural medicine product, and natural medicine businesses. The state licensing authority shall include the available and relevant data in the report required pursuant to subsection (1)(g) of this section.
(8) The state licensing authority shall perform other functions and duties necessary to administer this article 50.
C.R.S. § 44-50-203 State licensing authority - rules
44-50-203. State licensing authority - rules. (1) Mandatory rule-making. Rules promulgated pursuant to section 44-50-202 (1)(b) must include the following subjects:
(a) Procedures and requirements consistent with this article 50 for the issuance, denial, renewal, reinstatement, modification, suspension, and revocation of licenses;
(b) Oversight requirements for licensees;
(c) A schedule of application, licensing, and renewal fees for licenses;
(d) Qualifications and eligibility requirements for licensure pursuant to this article 50, including continuing eligibility expectations, including timely paying taxes owed to the department of revenue, timely filing tax returns, and timely curing any tax deficiencies, and authorization for the department of revenue to have access to licensing information to ensure tax payment for the effective administration of this article 50;
(e) Permissible and prohibited financial interests in a license issued pursuant to this article 50 or a license issued pursuant to article 170 of title 12; except that an individual shall not have a financial interest in more than five natural medicine business licenses;
(f) (I) Establishment of a natural medicine independent testing and certification program for licensees within an implementation time frame established by the division, requiring licensees to test regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product to ensure, at a minimum, that regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product transferred for human consumption by persons licensed pursuant to this article 50 do not contain contaminants that are injurious to health and to ensure correct labeling, as well as:
(A) Certification requirements for laboratories that test regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product and requirements that the test results produced by a laboratory must not be used unless the laboratory is certified;
(B) Testing requirements for regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product by licensees;
(C) Whether to allow for any natural person to request and utilize testing services of natural medicine and natural medicine product if the natural person is twenty-one years of age or older;
(D) Definitions, permissions, and prohibitions concerning conflicts of interest related to, and economic interests for, persons who own or are associated with a natural medicine testing license and other licenses; and
(E) Procedures and requirements necessary to facilitate the coordination of duties with respect to the natural medicine testing and certification program with the department of public health and environment.
(II) The state licensing authority shall promulgate rules pursuant to this subsection (1)(f) in coordination with the department of public health and environment to ensure consistency between rules.
(g) Regulation of a licensed premises, including rules that allow a natural medicine healing center licensee's licensed premises to be co-located with another natural medicine healing center licensee's licensed premises or a health-care facility;
(h) Requirements for the transportation of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product, including:
(I) Security requirements;
(II) Transportation vehicle requirements, including requirements for surveillance;
(III) Limits on the amount of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product that may be carried in a transportation vehicle;
(IV) Record-keeping requirements; and
(V) Transportation manifest requirements;
medicine and regulated natural medicine product, including:
(I) Security requirements;
(II) Transportation vehicle requirements, including requirements for surveillance;
(III) Limits on the amount of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product that may be carried in a transportation vehicle;
(IV) Record-keeping requirements; and
(V) Transportation manifest requirements;
(i) Limits on the amount of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product that is allowed for production by a natural medicine cultivation facility license or natural medicine product manufacturer license based on a metric or set of metrics. When considering any limitations, the state licensing authority shall consider the total current and anticipated demand for regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product in Colorado and attempt to minimize the market for unlawful natural medicine and natural medicine product.
(j) Records to be kept by licensees and the required availability of the records for inspection by the state licensing authority;
(k) Requirements to prevent the transfer or diversion of natural medicine or natural medicine product to persons under twenty-one years of age;
(l) Permitted and prohibited transfers of regulated natural medicine and regulated natural medicine product between licensees;
(m) Standards for advertising and marketing a licensee's services, including: Avoiding the misappropriation and exploitation of the federally recognized American tribes, as defined in section 12-170-104 (7), and Indigenous people, communities, cultures, and religions; avoiding the excessive commercialization of natural medicine, natural medicine product, and natural medicine services; prohibiting advertising and marketing of natural medicine, natural medicine product, and natural medicine services directed to individuals who are under twenty-one years of age; and other parameters determined necessary by the state licensing authority;
(n) Standards for qualification as a licensee, including environmental, social, and governance criteria directed to the findings and declarations set forth in section 12-170-102.
(2) Permissive rule-making. Rules promulgated pursuant to section 44-50-202 (1)(b) may include, but need not be limited to, the following subjects:
(a) Establishment of licenses, and the privileges and restrictions pursuant to such licenses, determined necessary by the state licensing authority to implement or administer this article 50;
(b) Establishment of a principle file process and requirements for an applicant seeking to exercise the privileges of a license type in multiple locations or seeking to exercise the privileges of multiple license types;
(c) Requirements for issuance of co-location permits to a licensee authorizing co-location with another licensed premises;
(d) Requirements and restrictions on different types of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product;
(e) Packaging and labeling requirements for regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product, including:
(I) Warning labels;
(II) Individual serving and per-package serving amounts; and
(III) Concentration of the regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product;
(f) Security requirements for licensed premises, including lighting, physical security, video, and alarm requirements, and other minimum procedures for internal control as deemed necessary by the state licensing authority to properly administer and enforce the provisions of this article 50, including reporting requirements for changes, alterations, modifications to the premises, or activities or incidents on the premises;
(g) Health and safety regulations and standards;
(h) Sanitary requirements;
(i) Waste, disposal, and destruction requirements of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product, including record-keeping requirements;
rovisions of this article 50, including reporting requirements for changes, alterations, modifications to the premises, or activities or incidents on the premises;
(g) Health and safety regulations and standards;
(h) Sanitary requirements;
(i) Waste, disposal, and destruction requirements of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product, including record-keeping requirements;
(j) Storage and transportation of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product;
(k) Requirements of licensees to track and manage inventory;
(l) Compliance with, enforcement of, or violation of any provision of this article 50, article 18 of title 18, or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50, including procedures and grounds for denying, suspending, fining, modifying, restricting, or revoking a state license issued pursuant to this article 50 or any rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50;
(m) Establishing a schedule of penalties for alleged violations of statutes and rules;
(n) Specifications of duties of officers and employees of the state licensing authority;
(o) Guidance for law enforcement officers;
(p) Requirements for inspections, investigations, searches, seizures, forfeitures, embargoes, quarantines, recalls, destruction, and such additional activities as may become necessary;
(q) Prohibition of misrepresentation and unfair practices; and
(r) Such other matters as are necessary for the fair, impartial, stringent, and comprehensive administration of this article 50.
(3) The state licensing authority shall consult the board when considering and promulgating rules pursuant to this section.
(4) (a) The state licensing authority may, by rule, establish procedures for the conditional issuance of an employee license identification card at the time of application.
(b) (I) The state licensing authority shall base its issuance of an employee license identification card pursuant to this subsection (4) on the results of an initial investigation that demonstrates the applicant is qualified to hold a license. The employee license application for which an employee license identification card was issued pursuant to this subsection (4) remains subject to denial pending the complete results of the applicant's initial fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
(II) Results of a fingerprint-based criminal history record check that demonstrate that an applicant possessing an employee license identification card pursuant to this subsection (4) is not qualified to hold a license issued pursuant to this article 50 are grounds for denial of the employee license application. If the employee license application is denied, the applicant shall return the employee license identification card to the state licensing authority within a time period that the state licensing authority establishes by rule.
(III) The state licensing authority shall require the applicant to have the applicant's fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency or a third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation. If an approved third party takes the applicant's fingerprints, the fingerprints may be electronically captured using the Colorado bureau of investigation's approved livescan equipment. A third party shall not keep the applicant information for more than thirty days unless requested by the applicant. The state licensing authority shall send the applicant's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of fingerprint processing by utilizing the files and records of the Colorado bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation.
C.R.S. § 44-50-204 Confidentiality
44-50-204. Confidentiality. (1) The state licensing authority shall maintain the confidentiality of:
(a) Reports or other information obtained from a licensee or a license applicant containing any individualized data, information, or records related to the applicant; licensee; licensee's operation, including sales information, leases, business organization records, financial records, tax returns, credit reports, cultivation information, testing results, and security information and plans; any participant information; or any other records that are exempt from public inspection pursuant to state law. Such reports or other information may be used only for a purpose authorized by this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50 for investigation or enforcement of any international, federal, state, or local securities law or regulation or for any other state or local law enforcement purpose. Any information released related to a participant may be used only for a purpose authorized by this article 50, as a part of an active investigation, as a part of a proceeding authorized by this article 50, or for any state or local law enforcement purpose involving evidence of sales transactions in violation of this article 50 or evidence of criminal activity. The information or records related to a participant constitute medical data as described by section 24-72-204 (3)(a)(I), and the information or records may only be disclosed to those persons directly involved with an active investigation or proceeding.
(b) Investigative records and documents related to ongoing investigations. Those records and documents may be used only for a purpose authorized by this article 50 or rules promulgated by this article 50 or for any other state or local law enforcement purpose.
(c) Computer systems maintained by the state licensing authority and the vendors with which the state licensing authority has contracted.
(2) The state licensing authority shall make available for public inspection:
(a) Documents related to final agency actions and orders;
(b) Records related to testing on an aggregated and de-identified basis;
(c) Demographic information related to applicants and licensees available on an aggregated and de-identified basis; and
(d) Enforcement forms and compliance checklists.
C.R.S. § 44-50-301 Classes of licenses
44-50-301. Classes of licenses. (1) For the purpose of regulating the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transport, transfer, and dispensation of regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product, the state licensing authority in its discretion, upon application in the prescribed form, may issue and grant to the applicant a license from any of the classes listed in subsection (2) of this section, subject to the provisions and restrictions provided by this article 50 or a rule promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(2) (a) The following are natural medicine business licenses:
(I) Natural medicine healing center license;
(II) Natural medicine cultivation facility license;
(III) Natural medicine product manufacturer license;
(IV) Natural medicine testing facility license; and
(V) Any natural medicine business license determined necessary by the state licensing authority.
(b) The following are natural medicine licenses or registrations: Occupational licenses and registrations for owners, managers, operators, employees, contractors, and other support staff employed by, working in, or having access to restricted areas of the licensed premises, as determined by the state licensing authority. The state licensing authority may take any action with respect to a registration or permit pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50 as it may with respect to a license issued pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50 in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(3) A state chartered bank or a credit union may loan money to any person licensed pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50 for the operation of a licensed natural medicine business.
(4) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, a person shall not operate a license issued pursuant to this article 50 at the same location as a license or permit issued pursuant to article 3, 4, 5, or 10 of this title 44.
(b) A person may operate a natural medicine testing facility license issued pursuant to section 44-50-404 at the same location as a regulated marijuana testing facility license issued pursuant to article 10 of this title 44.
C.R.S. § 44-50-302 Restrictions for applications for new licenses
44-50-302. Restrictions for applications for new licenses. (1) The state licensing authority shall not receive or act upon an application for the issuance of a natural medicine business license pursuant to this article 50:
(a) If the application for a license concerns a particular location that is the same as or within one thousand feet of a location for which, within the two years immediately preceding the date of the application, the state licensing authority denied an application for the same class of license due to the nature of the use or other concern related to the location;
(b) Until it is established that the applicant is, or will be, entitled to possession of the premises for which application is made under a lease, rental agreement, or other arrangement for possession of the premises or by virtue of ownership of the premises;
(c) For a location in an area where the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, storage, distribution, transfer, and dispensation of natural medicine or natural medicine product as contemplated is not permitted under the applicable zoning laws of the local jurisdiction;
(d) (I) If the building where natural medicine services are provided is within one thousand feet of a child care center; preschool; elementary, middle, junior, or high school; or a residential child care facility. The provisions of this section do not affect the renewal or reissuance of a license once granted or apply to licensed premises located or to be located on land owned by a municipality, nor do the provisions of this section apply to an existing licensed premises on land owned by the state or apply to a license in effect and actively doing business before the school or facility was constructed. The governing body of a municipality, by ordinance, and the governing body of a county, by resolution, may vary the distance restrictions imposed by this subsection (1)(d)(I) for a license or may eliminate one or more types of schools or facilities from the application of a distance restriction established by or pursuant to this subsection (1)(d)(I).
(II) The distances referred to in this subsection (1)(d) must be computed by direct measurement from the nearest property line of the land used for a school or facility to the nearest portion of the building in which natural medicine services are provided, using a route of direct pedestrian access.
(III) The state licensing authority shall consider the evidence and make a specific finding of fact as to whether the building in which the natural medicine business is located is within any distance restrictions established by or pursuant to this subsection (1)(d).
(2) The state licensing authority shall not approve an application for the issuance of a natural medicine business license pursuant to this article 50 until the state licensing authority establishes that the applicant is, or will be, entitled to possession of the premises for which application is made under a lease, rental agreement, or other arrangement for possession of the premises or by virtue of ownership of the premises.
C.R.S. § 44-50-401 Natural medicine healing center license - rules
44-50-401. Natural medicine healing center license - rules. (1) A natural medicine healing center license may be issued only to a person that employs or contracts with a facilitator who provides natural medicine services pursuant to the terms and conditions of article 170 of title 12.
(2) A natural medicine healing center licensee may transfer regulated natural medicine or regulated natural medicine product to another natural medicine healing center licensee or a facilitator pursuant to rules promulgated by the state licensing authority.
(3) Prior to initiating natural medicine services, the facilitator of the natural medicine healing center licensee shall verify that the participant is twenty-one years of age or older.
(4) A natural medicine healing center licensee shall comply with all provisions of article 34 of title 24, as the provisions relate to persons with disabilities.
(5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5)(b) of this section, a natural medicine healing center licensee shall not transfer, individually or in any combination, more than an amount promulgated by rule of natural medicine and natural medicine product to a participant in a single administration session.
(b) The state licensing authority may promulgate rules to establish certain exemptions to the natural medicine or natural medicine product limitation and may establish record-keeping requirements for natural medicine healing center licensees pursuant to any exemption to the administration limitation.
C.R.S. § 44-50-402 Natural medicine cultivation facility license
44-50-402. Natural medicine cultivation facility license. (1) A natural medicine cultivation facility license may be issued pursuant to state licensing authority rules and only to a person who cultivates regulated natural medicine for transfer and distribution to natural medicine healing center licensees, natural medicine product manufacturer licensees, other natural medicine cultivation facility licensees, or other persons licensed under article 170 of title 12 or this article 50.
(2) Natural medicine or natural medicine product must not be consumed on the natural medicine cultivation facility licensee's licensed premises, unless the licensed premises is co-located with a natural medicine healing center licensee's licensed premises.
C.R.S. § 44-50-403 Natural medicine product manufacturer license
44-50-403. Natural medicine product manufacturer license. (1) (a) A natural medicine product manufacturer license may be issued to a person who manufactures regulated natural medicine product pursuant to the terms and conditions of this article 50 and rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
(b) A natural medicine product manufacturer licensee may cultivate its own regulated natural medicine pursuant to a natural medicine cultivation facility license.
(c) A natural medicine product manufacturer licensee shall not:
(I) Add any regulated natural medicine to a food product if the manufacturer of the food product holds a trademark to the food product's name; except that a natural medicine product manufacturer licensee may use a trademarked food product if the manufacturer uses the product as a component or as part of a recipe and if the natural medicine product manufacturer licensee does not state or advertise to the consumer that the final natural medicine product contains a trademarked food product;
(II) Intentionally or knowingly label or package natural medicine or natural medicine product in a manner that would cause a reasonable consumer confusion as to whether the natural medicine product was a trademarked food product; or
(III) Label or package a product in a manner that violates any federal trademark law or regulation.
(2) Natural medicine and natural medicine product must not be consumed on a natural medicine product manufacturer licensee's licensed premises, unless the licensed premises is co-located with a natural medicine healing center licensee's licensed premises.
(3) Pursuant to rules promulgated by the state licensing authority, a natural medicine product manufacturer licensee may transfer and distribute regulated natural medicine and a regulated natural medicine product to another person licensed under article 170 of title 12 or another person licensed under this article 50.
C.R.S. § 44-50-404 Natural medicine testing facility license - rules
44-50-404. Natural medicine testing facility license - rules. (1) (a) A natural medicine testing facility license may be issued to a person who performs testing and research on natural medicine and natural medicine product.
(b) The testing of natural medicine and natural medicine product, and the associated standards, is a matter of statewide concern.
(2) The state licensing authority shall promulgate rules related to acceptable testing and research practices, including but not limited to testing, standards, quality control analysis, equipment certification and calibration, identification of chemicals and other substances used in bona fide research methods, and whether to allow a natural person to request and utilize testing services of natural medicine and natural medicine product if the natural person is twenty-one years of age or older.
(3) A person who has an interest in a natural medicine testing facility license shall not have any interest in a licensed natural medicine healing center, a licensed natural medicine cultivation facility, a licensed natural medicine product manufacturer, or a natural medicine license issued by the state licensing authority pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50.
C.R.S. § 44-50-501 Unlawful acts
44-50-501. Unlawful acts. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this article 50, it is unlawful for a licensee to:
(a) Knowingly transfer natural medicine or a natural medicine product to a person under twenty-one years of age; or
(b) Knowingly adulterate or alter, or attempt to adulterate or alter, any sample of regulated natural medicine or a natural medicine product for the purpose of circumventing testing requirements.
C.R.S. § 44-50-601 Regulated natural medicine cash fund - created - rules - fees
44-50-601. Regulated natural medicine cash fund - created - rules - fees. (1) (a) All money collected by the state licensing authority pursuant to this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50 must be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the regulated natural medicine division cash fund, which is hereby created. The regulated natural medicine division cash fund, referred to in this section as the "fund", consists of:
(I) The money collected by the state licensing authority; and
(II) Any additional general fund money appropriated to the fund that is necessary for the operation of the state licensing authority.
(b) Money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the department for the direct and indirect costs associated with implementing this article 50.
(c) Any money in the fund not expended for the purposes of this section may be invested by the state treasurer as provided by law. All interest and income derived from the investment and deposit of money in the fund shall be credited to the fund. Any unexpended and unencumbered money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year remains in the fund and shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or another fund.
(2) The executive director by rule or as otherwise provided by law may reduce the amount of one or more of the fees if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402 (3) to reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of one or more of the fees is credited. After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the executive director by rule or as otherwise provided by law may increase the amount of one or more of the fees as provided in section 24-75-402 (4).
(3) (a) The state licensing authority shall establish fees for processing the applications or licenses pursuant to section 44-50-301.
(b) The amounts of such fees, when added to the other fees transferred to the fund pursuant to this section, must reflect the actual direct and indirect costs of the state licensing authority in the administration and enforcement of this article 50 so that the fees avoid exceeding the statutory limit on uncommitted reserves in administrative agency cash funds as set forth in section 24-75-402 (3).
(c) The state licensing authority may charge applicants licensed pursuant to this article 50 a fee for the cost of each fingerprint analysis and background investigation undertaken to qualify new officers, directors, managers, or employees.
(d) At least annually, the state licensing authority shall review the amounts of the fees and, if necessary, adjust the amounts to reflect the direct and indirect costs of the state licensing authority.
(e) The fees established and collected pursuant to this section must not exceed the amount necessary to administer this article 50.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the state licensing authority shall establish a basic fee that shall be paid at the time of service of any subpoena upon the state licensing authority, plus a fee for meals and a fee for mileage at the rate prescribed for state officers and employees in section 24-9-104 for each mile actually and necessarily traveled in going to and returning from the place named in the subpoena. If the person named in the subpoena is required to attend the place named in the subpoena for more than one day, there shall be paid, in advance, a sum to be established by the state licensing authority for each day of attendance to cover the expenses of the person named in the subpoena.
(5) The subpoena fee established pursuant to subsection (4) of this section does not apply to any federal, state, or local governmental agency.
C.R.S. § 44-50-602 Fees - allocation
44-50-602. Fees - allocation. (1) Except as otherwise provided, all fees and fines provided for by this article 50 shall be paid to the state licensing authority, which shall transmit the fees to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall credit the fees to the regulated natural medicine division cash fund created in section 44-50-601.
(2) The expenditures of the state licensing authority are paid out of appropriations from the regulated natural medicine division cash fund created in section 44-50-601.
C.R.S. § 44-50-701 Suspension - revocation - fines
44-50-701. Suspension - revocation - fines. (1) In addition to any other sanctions prescribed by this article 50 or rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50, the state licensing authority has the power, on its own motion or on complaint, after investigation and opportunity for a public hearing at which the licensee must be afforded an opportunity to be heard, to fine a licensee or to suspend or revoke a license issued by the authority for a violation by the licensee or by any of the agents or employees of the licensee of the provisions of this article 50, or any of the rules promulgated pursuant to this article 50, or of any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of the license issued by the state licensing authority. The state licensing authority has the power to administer oaths and issue subpoenas to require the presence of persons and the production of papers, books, and records necessary to the determination of a hearing that the state licensing authority is authorized to conduct.
(2) The state licensing authority shall provide notice of suspension, revocation, fine, or other sanction, as well as the required notice of the hearing pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, by mailing the same in writing to the licensee at the address contained in the license and, if different, at the last address furnished to the authority by the licensee. Except in the case of a summary suspension, a suspension may not exceed six months. If a license is suspended or revoked, a part of the fees paid for the license is not returned to the licensee. Any license, registration, or permit may be summarily suspended by the state licensing authority without notice pending any prosecution, investigation, or public hearing pursuant to the terms of section 24-4-104 (4). Nothing in this section prevents the summary suspension of a license pursuant to section 24-4-104 (4).
C.R.S. § 44-50-801 Judicial review
44-50-801. Judicial review. Decisions by the state licensing authority are subject to judicial review pursuant to section 24-4-106.
C.R.S. § 44-50-901 Protections
44-50-901. Protections. (1) Subject to the limitations in this article 50 and article 170 of title 12, but notwithstanding any other provision of law:
(a) Actions and conduct permitted pursuant to a license, registration, or permit issued by the state licensing authority pursuant to this article 50, or by those who allow property to be used pursuant to a license issued pursuant to this article 50, are lawful and are not an offense under state law or the laws of any local jurisdiction within the state; are not subject to a civil fine, penalty, or sanction; are not a basis for detention, search, or arrest; are not a basis to deny any right or privilege; and are not a basis to seize or forfeit assets under state law or the laws of any local jurisdiction within this state;
(b) A contract is not unenforceable on the basis that natural medicine or natural medicine product, as allowed pursuant to this article 50, is prohibited by federal law;
(c) A licensee, registrant, or permittee pursuant to this article 50 is not subject to discipline or loss of a professional license or certification for providing advice or services arising out of or related to natural medicine or natural medicine product, applications for licenses on the basis that natural medicine or natural medicine product is prohibited by federal law, or for personal use of natural medicine or natural medicine product as allowed pursuant to this article 50. This subsection (1)(c) does not permit a licensee, registrant, or permittee to engage in malpractice.
(d) Mental health care, substance use disorder intervention, or behavioral health services otherwise covered under the "Colorado Medical Assistance Act", articles 4 to 6 of title 25.5, must not be denied on the basis that they are covered in conjunction with natural medicine services or that natural medicine or natural medicine product is prohibited by federal law. Insurance or an insurance provider is not required to cover the cost of natural medicine or natural medicine product.
(e) Nothing in this section may be construed or interpreted to prevent the director of the natural medicine division from enforcing its rules against a licensee or to limit a state or local law enforcement agency's ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a licensee.
C.R.S. § 44-50-902 Liberal construction
44-50-902. Liberal construction. This article 50 must be liberally construed to effectuate its purpose.
C.R.S. § 44-50-903 Preemption
44-50-903. Preemption. A local jurisdiction shall not adopt, enact, or enforce any ordinance, rule, or resolution that are otherwise in conflict with the provisions of this article 50.
C.R.S. § 44-50-904 Severability
44-50-904. Severability. If any provision of this article 50 is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of this article 50 are valid, unless it appears to the court that the valid provisions of the statute are so essentially and inseparably connected with, and so dependent upon, the void provision that it cannot be presumed that the general assembly would have enacted the valid provisions without the void one; or unless the court determines that the valid provisions, standing alone, are incomplete and are incapable of being executed in accordance with the legislative intent.
C.R.S. § 44-50-1001 Sunset review - repeal of article
44-50-1001. Sunset review - repeal of article. (1) This article 50 is repealed, effective September 1, 2032.
(2) Prior to the repeal of this article 50, the department of regulatory agencies shall conduct a sunset review as described in section 24-34-104 (5).
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-44.docxFetched: 10/6/2026