Psilocybin retreats in Denver are available only through Colorado’s regulated natural medicine system plus Denver’s local licensing rules, so what you can book and what you can do depends on licensed healing center services rather than a typical overnight retreat format.
Decriminalization in Denver and local rules
Denver’s shift started in 2019 when voters approved Initiated Ordinance 301. It directed city law enforcement to treat adult personal use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms as the lowest enforcement priority in the City and County of Denver. It also limited use of city funds for criminal penalties tied to adult personal use and personal possession.
That local change did not create legal sales, licensed retreat centers, or a retail market. It also did not change federal law. Psilocybin remains a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Colorado’s statewide framework came later. In 2022, voters approved Proposition 122, the Natural Medicine Health Act. It decriminalized personal use and possession for adults 21 and older for several substances and it set the state on a path to regulated access for certain natural medicine services. Psilocybin and psilocin are part of the regulated program.
Denver now has its own licensing layer for healing centers. Denver’s business licensing guidance states that a local license is required to operate a natural medicine healing center in the city, in addition to state licensing. The city also highlights a key point that applies everywhere in Colorado. Selling natural medicine is against the law.
Availability of retreats versus therapy settings
In Denver, the word retreat can mean different things to different people. In 2025, the legal option that most closely resembles a retreat experience is a supervised administration session delivered through a licensed healing center and a licensed facilitator under Colorado’s natural medicine rules, with preparation and integration sessions as part of the service process. (Colorado Secretary of State)
A traditional retreat usually implies lodging, meals, multiple days of programming, and a group schedule. Colorado’s model is built around licensed services and defined sessions. Your lodging typically sits outside the regulated service itself, so the most common real-world setup looks like this
- You stay at a hotel or a short-term rental in Denver
- You attend preparation sessions before the administration session
- You attend the administration session in the permitted setting
- You plan integration sessions in the days and weeks after
This is a better match for what many people call a therapy-style framework, even though Colorado’s program is broader than a medical model and does not require a diagnosis for participation. The labels can vary across providers and across media coverage, so the practical way to assess availability is to focus on what the state and city license, which is the healing center plus facilitator pathway. (
Timing matters in 2025. Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division opened facilitator licensing in late 2024 and began taking license applications at the end of 2024, with public reporting and coverage indicating that regulated services were expected to begin rolling out during 2025 as licensing moved from applications to approvals.
Retreat options and wellness practices in the city
If you are building a Denver retreat-style itinerary around a legal psilocybin service, the most useful approach is to treat Denver as a wellness basecamp. You plan your regulated session, then you wrap supportive practices around it.
Here are common wellness practices that pair well with a Denver stay
Breathwork and mindfulness routines
Breathwork and mindfulness can help you settle your attention before a session and give you a simple tool for downshifting afterward. Keep it basic and repeatable.
- A short morning practice in your room that you can do even on travel days
- A slow paced walk paired with steady nasal breathing
- A simple body scan before bed
If you are new to breathwork, choose low intensity practices. Avoid long breath holds or rapid breathing sessions until you have guidance that fits your personal health profile.
Gentle movement and yoga
Denver is a walkable city in many areas, and it is easy to use gentle movement as part of your prep and recovery routine.
- Light stretching in the morning and evening
- Mobility work focused on hips, spine and shoulders
- A short yoga flow centered on grounding and balance
Altitude can make intense workouts feel harder than expected. If you are visiting from sea level, keep your first two days lighter.
Nature exposure without overplanning
Many people come to Denver for quick access to open space. Nature time can support rest and reflection as long as you keep it simple.
- Easy walks in parks and along trails
- Quiet time outdoors with a journal
- A low effort scenic drive as a decompression activity
If you plan a higher elevation day trip, do it after you have adjusted to Denver’s altitude and after you have had time to sleep well.
Food routines that support stable energy
Retreat travel often falls apart on the basics. Your schedule gets busy and you skip meals or hydration. A simple food plan helps.
- Regular meals at consistent times
- A focus on protein, fiber and familiar foods
- Extra water throughout the day
If you tend to get lightheaded with travel, add electrolytes and keep snacks in your bag.
Travel logistics and visitor considerations
Denver is a major travel hub, so logistics are usually straightforward. The parts that need more thought are legal boundaries, pacing, and post-session recovery time.
Do not travel with psilocybin
Even with Colorado’s changes, psilocybin remains illegal under federal law. Airports and air travel bring you into federal jurisdiction in ways that can create serious risk. The DEA describes psilocybin as a Schedule I substance under federal law.
A practical rule for visitors is simple. Do not bring psilocybin into Colorado and do not attempt to leave Colorado with it. Plan to participate only through the legal, regulated channels that apply inside the state.
Build a schedule with buffer days
For a Denver retreat-style trip, plan time on both sides of the administration session.
- Day 1 arrival and rest
- Day 2 preparation session and low key activities
- Day 3 administration session
- Day 4 recovery and integration
- Day 5 optional nature day and departure
That buffer reduces rushed decisions. It also gives you space to eat, sleep and reset.
If you want a fully hosted retreat format
Some travelers want an all-inclusive format that includes accommodations, meals, excursions and structured support around preparation and integration. If that is the trip style you want, we at ONE Retreats in Negril host wellness retreats in Jamaica that bundle travel pieces into one itinerary.
Screening and preparation standards
Screening and preparation are the difference between a hopeful idea and a safe plan. Colorado’s regulated model is built around facilitated sessions, and preparation is part of that service arc, even if the exact format can vary by provider and by your needs.
Here is what strong preparation often includes.
Health and mental health intake
A serious intake covers your history in a straightforward way.
- Current medications and supplements
- Personal and family history of serious mental health conditions
- Cardiovascular history and any seizure history
- Current substance use patterns including alcohol and cannabis
If you have complex medical history, you may need a clinician involved in the planning process. Colorado’s rules include pathways for clinical facilitators in certain contexts, which is one reason it matters to ask how a program handles higher complexity participants.
Intention setting with practical boundaries
Intention setting is useful when it stays grounded.
- One or two clear areas of focus
- A plan for how you want support if you feel overwhelmed
- A plan for your first 24 hours afterward
Avoid stacking too many goals into one session. Keep it simple.
Sleep and nutrition leading into the session
Travel disrupts your baseline. The simplest prep plan is also the most effective.
- Prioritize sleep for three nights before the session
- Keep caffeine moderate
- Eat familiar meals and stay hydrated
Integration planning before you arrive
Integration works better when you plan it early. Build a post-session schedule before you travel.
- A low demand day after the session
- A journal plan with prompts you will actually use
- A short list of supportive practices such as breathwork, walking and quiet meals
If you have a therapist or coach at home, schedule a check-in for the week after you return.
Local updates and advocacy efforts
Denver’s psilocybin story is tied to both local policy and statewide implementation.
At the local level, Denver’s business licensing pages describe a city ordinance adopted in 2025 that regulates natural medicine in Denver and requires a local license for healing centers. The city’s FAQ also states that selling natural medicine is against the law and that healing centers require both state and local licensing.
At the state level, Colorado’s Natural Medicine program has been moving through rulemaking, board work, and licensing milestones since Proposition 122 passed. The state’s Natural Medicine Division notes the program history and licensing timeline, and statewide reporting described the start of license applications at the end of 2024 with regulated services expected to begin rolling out in 2025.
Local governments in Colorado have limited powers here. A Colorado Municipal League training deck describes that local jurisdictions can regulate time, place and manner such as zoning and licensing, while they cannot create rules that conflict with the Colorado Natural Medicine Code.
For you as a traveler, that means Denver can set local licensing steps and location rules for healing centers, while the core legal framework remains statewide. If you are planning a Denver trip around a session, confirm that the option you choose fits both state licensing and Denver’s local requirements.
If you want, I can write the next city guide in the same format for Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, or a statewide Colorado travel guide that covers Denver as the hub.
