Welcome to the Natural Medicine Program
Natural Medicine Regulation
The licensing and regulation of natural medicines in Colorado falls under two state agencies: the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Department of Revenue (DOR). DORA will regulate and license facilitators of natural medicine services. DOR will license and regulate natural medicine businesses – healing centers, cultivations, manufacturers, and testing facilities, and their owners and employees.
DORA and DOR have started the rulemaking process to implement SB23-290: Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization, which Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in May 2023. Rulemaking meetings are open to the public and are designed to develop rules (or regulations) for natural medicine use in Colorado.
For information about licenses for healing centers, cultivations, manufacturers, or testing labs, contact the Department of Revenue at: DOR_NaturalMedicine@state.co.us
For information about facilitator training, licensing, or the Natural Medicine Advisory Board, contact the Department of Regulatory Agencies at: dora_natural_medicine@state.co.us
Where We Are Now
DORA and DOR have started the rulemaking process to implement SB23-290: Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization, which Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in May 2023. Rulemaking meetings are open to the public and are designed to develop rules (or regulations) for natural medicine use in Colorado.
The Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022, a citizen-initiated measure related to the use of certain plants or fungi for people 21 years of age and older, was approved by Colorado voters in November of 2022. In May 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB23-290: Natural Medicine Regulation And Legalization into law, which clarifies and sets the regulatory framework for a regulated natural medicine program in Colorado.
The Division of Professions and Occupations will begin taking applications for natural medicine facilitators no later than December 31, 2024.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is a consumer protection agency and the safety of Coloradans is a priority in any area we regulate.
Program Information
- Program/Board Member/Working Group
Lorey Bratten, Program Director
Email: dora_natural_medicine@state.co.us
Natural Medicine Advisory Board
Full Board
Lundy, MA, LPC, Chair
Representative of Mental Health and Behavioral Health Providers and Disparities in Access to Health Care Services Among Different Communities l Term expires January 31, 2027Riccardo Baca
Representative of Traditional Indigenous Use and Public Health, Drug Policy, and Harm Reduction l Term expires January 31, 2027Commissioner Wendy Buxton-Andrade
Representative of Levels and Disparities in Access to Health Care Services Among Different Communities l Term expires January 31, 2025Dr. Sofia Chavez, DNM
Representative of Traditional and Indigenous Use and Religious Use of Natural Medicine l Term expires January 31, 2025Dr. Bradley Conner, PhD
Representative of Natural Medicine Therapy, Medicine and Research and Public Health, Drug Policy and Harm Reduction l Term expires January 31, 2025William Dunn NRP, FP-C
Representative of Emergency Medical Services and Services Provided by First Responders l Term expires January 31, 2025Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD
Representative of Traditional Indigenous Use and Religious Use l Term expires January 31, 2027Dr. Tina Gonzales, PhD
Representative of Health Care Insurance and Health Care Policy, Past Criminal Justice Reform
Efforts in Colorado, and Disparities in Access to Healthcare Services Among Different Communities l Term expires January 31, 2025Dr. Joshua Goodwin, PhD
Representative of Issues Confronting Veterans l Term expires January 31, 2027Dr. Alisa Hannum, PhD
Representative of Mental and Behavioral Health Providers and Issues Confronting Veterans l Term expires January 31, 2027Stacie Loucks
Representative of Permitted Organization Criteria l Term expires January 31, 2027Sheriff David Lucero
Representative of Past Criminal Justice Reform in Colorado l Term expires January 31, 2027Skippy Upton Mesirow
Representative of Permitted Organization Criteria I Term expires January 31, 2025Dr. Sue Sisley, MD
Representative of Mycology and Natural Medicine Cultivation l Term expires January 31, 2027Billy Wynne, JD
Representative of Health Care Insurance and Healthcare Policy and Public Health, Drug Policy and Harm Reduction l Term expires January 31, 2025Natural Medicine Advisory Board Combined Subcommittee
Ricardo Eli Baca
Sofia Maria Chavez
Dr. Bradley Thomas Conner
William Dunn
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Dr
Joshua Taylor Goodwin
Ernestine Tina R Gonzales
Heather Lundy Nelson
Suzanne Arlene Sisley, Dr
Skippy Leigh Upton Mesirow
Stacie LoucksFederally Recognized American Tribes and Indigenous Community Working Group
Tom Allen - Arvada, Colorado - Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Northern Arapaho
Daniel Kuthoomi Castro - Boulder, Colorado - Mestizo Kichwa from Ecuador
Sherrill Katsi Cook Barreiro - Akwesasne, New York - St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Frank Dayish - Gallop, New Mexico - Navajo Nation
Belinda Pearl Eriacho - Tempe, Arizona - Navajo (Diné)
Dr. Santiago Ivan Guerra - Colorado Springs, Colorado - Coahuiltecan and Chicano
Terry G. Knight, Sr. - Towaoc, Colorado - Ute Mountain Ute
Marlena Robbins - Berkeley, California - Diné/Navajo
Councilman, Darwin Whiteman Jr. - Towaoc, Colorado - Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Public Notice
All Board and Subcommittee meetings are noticed on the calendar on the right side of this page
Stakeholder Meeting – May 14, 2024
The purpose of this Stakeholder Meeting is for the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (“Director”) and the Program Director of the Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board (“Board”) to receive feedback regarding proposed new Rule 8 – DISCIPLINE/VIOLATIONS to implement Colorado Senate Bill 23-290.
- Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. (MDT)
- Stakeholder Meeting Notice
- Webinar Registration
- Draft Rules will be posted on the website under Public Notices by 5/3/2024
- Written Comments (Link will be updated as comments are received.)
Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – May 3, 2024
The purpose of this Permanent Rulemaking Hearing is to allow stakeholders a final opportunity to testify before the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (“Director”) decides whether to adopt proposed new rules to implement Colorado Senate Bill 23-290.
- Friday, May 3, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. (MDT)
- Permanent Rulemaking Hearing Notice
- Draft Rules
- Webinar Registration
- Written comments (Link will be updated as comments are received.)
Stakeholder Meeting – April 26, 2024, 2024
The purpose of this Stakeholder Meeting is for the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (“Director”) and the Program Director of the Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board (“Board”) to receive feedback regarding proposed new Rule 6 – STANDARDS OF PRACTICE and Rule 7 – ADVERTISEMENT to implement Colorado Senate Bill 23-290.
- Friday, April 26, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. (MDT)
- Stakeholder Meeting Notice
- Webinar Registration
- Draft Rules
- Written Comments (Link will be updated as comments are received.)
Stakeholder Meeting - March 8, 2024
The purpose of this Stakeholder Meeting was for the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (“Director”) and the Program Director of the Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board (“Board”) to receive feedback regarding proposed new rules to implement Colorado Senate Bill 23-290.
- Legislative Updates
- Meeting Minutes
Natural Medicine Advisory Board
- February 16, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- January 19, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- December 15, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- November 17, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- October 20, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 16, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 15, 2023, Meeting Minutes
Harm Reduction and Public Safety Subcommittee
Indigenous and Religious Use Outreach Subcommittee
- January 17, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- January 12, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- December 8, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- October 13, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 13, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 19, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 5, 2023, Meeting Minutes
Public Health and Health Equity Subcommittee
- January 11, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- December 14, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- October 12, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 15, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 1, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 18, 2023, Meeting Minutes
Emergency Response, Safety, and Ethics Subcommittee
- January 10, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- December 13, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- November 8, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- October 11, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 14, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 17, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 3, 2023, Meeting Minutes
Qualifications, Training, and Licensing Subcommittee
- January 18, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- December 21, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- November 13, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- October 19, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 29, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- June 8, 2023, Meeting Minutes
- May 25, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Product Research and Data Subcommittee