Colorado's Natural Medicine Program LEGAL ACCESS IS EXPANDING
Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program Join The Interest ListNew Pathways for Legal Facilitation in the US are Opening Soon
The Synthesis Institute is Preparing for Approval for Facilitation Training in Colorado
The Synthesis Institute is working diligently to meet Colorado's requirements for becoming an approved Facilitator Training Program by the end of 2024.
Colorado Facilitator Training
Becoming an Approved Facilitator in Colorado with The Synthesis InstituteUpdated December 18, 2024
We are thrilled to share our progress toward meeting Colorado’s requirements for becoming an Approved Facilitator Training Program under the state’s Natural Medicine Program by the end of 2024.
The Synthesis Institute is actively adapting to Colorado’s evolving regulatory landscape to ensure our Psychedelic Practitioner Training fully complies with recently adopted laws.
Our training program will offer all the stipulated requirements for our students to be eligible to apply for Facilitator* and Clinical Facilitator** licenses (see definitions below) in Colorado.
1. Begin Your Training Journey
The first step in the pathway to Colorado licensure is to complete 150+ hours of didactic education training through the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training, which includes a specific Colorado Module.
2. Obtaining a Training License
Following your completion of the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training, you must meet the general qualifications and apply for your training license through the Department of Natural Medicine.
3. Supervised Training (Post-License)
Once participants have obtained a Training License, they must then, under supervision, complete the following training components to obtain a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license:
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40+ hours of supervised practice training through the Synthesis Immersion Apprenticeship program
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40+ hours of consultation through the Synthesis Practicum program
4. Apply for a Facilitator License
For Synthesis Alumni, Current, and New Students
Existing students and alumni of the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Training and new students enrolling in our Core Training before the Colorado track becomes available may be able to apply for a Colorado facilitator license once your training is complete. Additional curriculum requirements may be needed, which The Synthesis Institute will provide to ensure your experience matches the application requirements.
We will make more information available here as our application advances.
Facilitator** licenses are for individuals who provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screening, based on generally accepted standards of practice, does not identify risk factors that would suggest the need for the involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider.
Clinical Facilitator* licenses are for professionals who may provide natural medicine services to participants for the purpose of treating physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. A Clinical Facilitator licensee must hold current and active Colorado licensure in a profession that authorizes. They must hold an active and valid license in Colorado to practice any of the following:
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1. (PSY) Psychologist, (LSW) Licensed Social Worker, (LCSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (MFT) Marriage and Family Therapist, (LPC) Licensed Professional Counselor, or (LAC) Licensed Addiction Counselor; or
2. Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), advanced practice nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician Assistant (PA).
Join our interest list to receive notifications when updates become available.
How is the legislature changing in Colorado?
Colorado's SB 23-290, which was signed into law on May 23, 2023, decriminalizes the personal use of certain psychedelics for adults 21 and older. This law allows individuals to grow, process, store, use, transport, obtain, share, or ingest psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) without facing criminal penalties. However, selling these substances or using them for commercial promotion is prohibited, as is advertising related to sharing psychedelics or offering services used in conjunction with psychedelic consumption. Payments are allowed for specific services like harm reduction, therapy, and support, and educational materials and websites related to natural medicine are permitted.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado Department of Revenue will regulate the manufacture, cultivation, testing, storage, and sale of natural medicines. Initially, this applys to psilocybin and psilocin, with the potential addition of DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in 2026.
Licensed healing centers can provide natural medicine services, including preparation, administration, and integration sessions facilitated by authorized professionals. Governor Polis has established the Natural Medicine Health Board to develop policy recommendations, and localities can regulate but not prohibit the operation of healing centers within their boundaries.
Discover more about the Natural Medicine Licensure Rules and Regulation and other draft rules here.
About the Synthesis Institute
The Synthesis Institute was founded on a commitment to offering legal and professional psychedelic-supported retreat programs. As the legal landscape for psychedelic care expands, The Synthesis Institute will continue to broaden its educational and training offerings to ensure safe, ethical, and legal access to psychedelic-assisted healing modalities.
Since the launch of The Synthesis Institute in 2018, we've supported more than 1,000 individuals through legal and professionally guided psychedelic-supported healing programs. More than 400 participants have graduated from our pioneering Psychedelic Practitioner Training since its inception in 2021. As a leading retreat and training organization with more than 6 years of direct experience facilitating legal retreats, we recognize our responsibility to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards of care.
Join our interest list to stay informed on the possibility of becoming a licensed facilitator in Colorado through the Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Training Program:
We are thrilled at the prospect of translating our robust training programs into a path for licensure in Colorado. We look forward to supporting access and healing through this meaningful modality once the state approves The Synthesis Institute as a certified facilitator training program (expected in late 2024).
COLORADO FAQS
Becoming a Facilitator
What are the general requirements?
- Be 21 years of age or older at the time of application
- Provide proof of current certification in basic life support
- Submit a complete application in a manner approved by the Director
- Pay the application fee.
Can I apply to be a facilitator if I do not live in Colorado?
Does my Synthesis Psychedelic Facilitator Core Training prepare me for the Colorado application?
Yes, the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Core training meets the needs of the 150 hours of didactic training as required by the Natural Medicines Act. You will still need to complete the required Practicum, Consultation, and Colorado Module, which will all be offered by Synthesis.
What are the implications for licensed healthcare practitioners, such as doctors and therapists, who are interested in becoming facilitators?
Unlike Oregon, fortunately, the statute provides protections for professional licenses holders, noting that they cannot lose their license for engaging in acts under the Natural Medicine Health Act. If professionals violate their standards of care or commit malpractice, they could still face consequences. While the statute offers protection, it’s not entirely cut and dry.
As a licensed professional (MD, MFT, etc), if you pursue the Clinical Facilitator licensure, you would be authorized to provide natural medicine services to treat physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. This practice would be within the scope of your medical license, and you would be expected to follow the same standards as in your medical practice. However, you must ensure that participating in natural medicine facilitation does not conflict with your DEA license or other medical licenses. The practice of facilitation is considered separate from the practice of medicine, but it is closely related and could impact your medical responsibilities depending on your specific situation.
What are all the facilitator license types?
There are four types of Facilitators in Colorado:
- Facilitator: An individual holding a Facilitator License is authorized to independently provide natural medicine services to those participants for whom a safety screen demonstrating generally accepted standards of practice does not identify risk factors suggesting a need for involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider. An individual holding a Facilitator License need not hold a secondary license type. See 4 CCR 755-1(2.2) for additional information.
- Clinical Facilitator: Clinical Facilitator licensees may provide natural medicine services to participants for the purpose of treating physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. A Clinical Facilitator licensee must hold current and active Colorado licensure in a profession that authorizes them to diagnose and treat physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. See 4 CCR 755-1(2.5) for additional information.
- Distinguished Educator: A Distinguished Educator License authorizes the license holder to provide Natural Medicine Services as required by their position as a faculty member of an Approved Facilitator Training Program. A Distinguished Educator may not accept remuneration for providing Natural Medicine Services except for the payment they receive as a faculty member and may not provide facilitation services at a healing center that is not affiliated with an Approved Facilitator Training Program unless they work directly with another Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator. See 4 CCR 755- 1(2.7) for more information.
- Training License: A Training License is held by a person who has completed the classroom lecture training requirements of an Approved Facilitator Training Program and is working on completing the practicum and consultation requirements necessary to apply for a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license. A person who holds a training license cannot be eligible to hold a facilitator or clinical facilitator license. For additional information, see 4 CCR 755-1(2.8).
Who may be qualified for a Clinical Facilitator license?
The applicant must already hold an active and valid license in one of the following professions:
• Psychologist (PSY)
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• Medical Doctor (MD)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Physician Assistant (PA)
Where can I access more information and the official Natural Medicine Program Rules?
For the most extensive, and up to date information, please visit the Natural Medicine Program's website and resources.
Here are some key links:
Accessing Psilocybin Services
Is there a psilocybin dispensary model?
No, this is not a dispensary model. There will be no retail sales of psilocybin mushrooms. Instead, it is a therapeutic model that mandates supervised sessions with a licensed facilitator.
Does a person need a mental health diagnosis or prescription to access psilocybin services?
Where can psilocybin sessions take place in Colorado?
Colorado allows more flexibility than Oregon in where psilocybin sessions can be held. Sessions can occur at licensed Healing Centers, healthcare facilities, or even at participants' homes. If the session takes place at a home, either two facilitators must be present, or the session must be recorded to ensure safety.
Similar to Oregon, Colorado’s model allows for sessions to take place either indoors or outdoors, with the option for both individual and group facilitation sessions.
