Colorado's Natural Medicine Program LEGAL ACCESS IS EXPANDING
Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Facilitator Training ProgramNew Pathways for Legal Facilitation in the US
The Synthesis Institute is a Colorado-Approved Training Center for Psychedelic Facilitators
Colorado Facilitator Training
We are thrilled to share that The Synthesis Institute has officially been approved by Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a state-licensed training center for psychedelic facilitators.
The Synthesis Institute is actively adapting to Colorado’s evolving regulatory landscape to ensure our Psychedelic Practitioner Training fully complies with recently adopted laws. This marks a significant step forward in the legalization and mainstream acceptance of sacred plant medicines, and we’re honored to be at the forefront—supporting those seeking licensure under the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA).
Our Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training provides 150+ hours of interdisciplinary education required to obtain a Colorado Training License—the first step in the state’s licensure process.
This license allows you to practice under supervision while completing the experiential training components—Practicum and Consultation—both of which can also be completed through The Synthesis Institute to earn full facilitator licensure.
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, and elect for the add-on of the 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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50+ hours of consultation through the Synthesis Practicum program
4. Apply for a Facilitator License
For Synthesis Alumni and Current Students
Existing students and alumni of the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Training, as well as new students enrolling in our Core Training, have the option to add the Colorado Module for an additional $497.
This module ensures your training aligns with the requirements for a Colorado facilitator license and will make you eligible to obtain a Colorado Training License—the first step in the state’s licensure process.
Please note that Practicum and Consultation hours are still required to obtain full licensure.
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:
- (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
- Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), advanced practice nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician Assistant (PA).
A State-Accredited Certification Program for Legal Psychedelic Facilitation
The Synthesis Institute's Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training meets and exceeds state licensure requirements for obtaining a Colorado Training License.
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250+ Hours of Training – A comprehensive, well-balanced curriculum integrating personal embodiment, relational wisdom, cognitive depth, evidence-based best practices, and the sacred dimensions of practice.
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Nine (9) Themed Coursework Modules – Each module builds upon the last, covering legal, professional, and ethical psychedelic facilitation from four key perspectives.
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Weekly Pre-Recorded Sessions – Expert-led teaching sessions (60 to 90 minutes) designed for flexible, self-paced learning.
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Weekly Live Pod Sessions – Small, intimate learning pods (8–10 participants) led by experienced facilitators for 2.5 hours per week, providing mentorship, self-exploration, and real-time reflection to help you embody the knowledge, skills, and values of a psychedelic facilitator.
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Colorado Module (Optional Add-On) – $497:
If you are seeking licensure in Colorado, you can opt for the Colorado-specific coursework—an additional 25+ hours of lectures, assignments, and materials covering the state’s required learnings.
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This module can be completed at your own pace during the Core Training once enrolled.
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Important: The Colorado Module requires an additional tuition fee of $497, separate from the Core Training tuition.
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Limited-Time Enrollment Offer
Enroll in the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training by February 28, 2025, and receive:
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$2,000 in tuition savings
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A $1,000 discount voucher toward a future Immersion Retreat, Practicum, or Consultation program (valid for two years)
There is a Two-Step Admissions Process:
1. Application: Complete our application form (estim. 30 minutes).
2. Admissions Call: Engage in a one-on-one conversation with our Admissions Guide.
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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
Since its founding in 2018, The Synthesis Institute has been at the forefront of legal, professionally guided psychedelic retreats and practitioner training. Over the past six years, we have supported more than 1,100 individuals in transformational, legally facilitated psychedelic experiences and trained over 500 graduates through our pioneering Psychedelic Practitioner Training since its launch in 2021.
As a pioneering leader in the field, we are committed to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards in psychedelic facilitation. With extensive experience in ceremonial retreat facilitation and practitioner training, we continue to cultivate safe, evidence-informed, and integrative approaches to psychedelic care, ensuring that practitioners are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding to navigate this evolving field responsibly.
COLORADO FAQS
Becoming a Facilitator
What is the full training pathway for a facilitator licence?
Step 1: Complete the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training – Colorado Track (Enrollment Now Open)
Start your journey with our comprehensive 12-month training program, which incorporates the Colorado-specific module to fulfill the 150+ hours of required education.
Step 2: Obtain a Training License
After completing the core training program, submit an application for your Training License through Colorado’s Department of Natural Medicine (DORA). This license allows you to practice under supervision while meeting hands-on experience requirements.
Step 3: Complete Practicum
Participate in a 40-hour supervised practicum in Colorado, designed to give you hands-on experience in facilitating psilocybin services. This training must take place under the guidance of a licensed supervisor or approved organization, and will be offered to Synthesis students who have an active training licence.
Step 4: Complete Consultation
Engage in 50 hours of consultation, a critical step where you’ll work closely with experienced facilitators to refine your skills. It includes small group mentorship sessions and focused reviews of case studies to deepen your understanding of effective facilitation. Consultation will be offered to students who have completed Practicum and have an active training licence. s offered through programs such as the Synthesis Consultation Program and includes:
Step 5: Apply for a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator Licensure
Once all educational and practical requirements are met, submit your application for licensure to DORA. Ensure all documentation, including proof of practicum and consultation hours, is included. Upon approval, you will be authorized to practice as a facilitator within Colorado’s regulated natural medicine framework.
Learn more about the pathway to licensure in DORA’s Post Education Information Guide.
To become a licensed facilitator in Colorado, applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or an equivalent.
- Pay the required application fee.
Can I apply to be a facilitator if I do not live in Colorado?
Yes, you can, there are also no residency requirements for facilitator licenses in Colorado.
Non-U.S. Citizens: There are no citizenship restrictions, but international applicants must meet all training and practicum requirements and navigate visa requirements independently.
What is a training license, and when do I need it?
A training license allows you to practice as a facilitator-in-training under supervision. You’ll need this license after completing the core training phase and before beginning your practicum. It is valid for up to two years, during which you must complete your practicum and consultation requirements.
If you have already completed your practicum experience, you should seek to complete the Colorado Module and apply for a training license before beginning consultation. Read more about this stage here.
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.
Does previous retreat experience or work experience count towards the requirements? What about Synthesis Immersion that was held in Costa Rica or the Netherlands?
Yes, previous retreat experience or work experience may count towards the requirements. If you attended Synthesis Immersion prior to January 1, 2025, you may be able to use that experience to qualify for your practicum requirements. Following that date, the Natural Medicine Program requires all practicum to be completed at a licensed healing center in the United States (Oregon or Colorado).
If you have substantial experience as a "Legacy Healer," you may be eligible for licensure through an accelerated training pathway. Legacy Healers, under Colorado rules, need to demonstrate that their experience includes facilitation for at least 40 participants, with at least 200 hours of experience over a period of at least two years. Please note, they must still complete the Colorado specific learnings that will be covered in our upcoming Colorado Module.
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
Does a person need a mental health diagnosis or prescription to access psilocybin services?
Are there dispensaries in Colorado?
No, there will be no retail sales of psilocybin mushrooms. Instead, this is a therapeutic model that mandates supervised sessions with a licensed facilitator.
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 in some cases, 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.
