The legal landscape regarding kratom in Colorado is a bit complicated. You have the state law, city-specific ordinances, and recent kratom regulations to make sense of. There are a lot of misconceptions about kratom in the Centennial State, and you probably have questions of your own.
For instance, is kratom legal in Colorado? Is kratom actually banned in Denver? And what exactly is the Kratom Consumer Protection Act? Before you buy kratom in Colorado, make sure you understand what the law actually entails.
Is Kratom Legal in Colorado?
At the state level, yes, kratom is legal in Colorado. However, there are a few caveats:
- Kratom is only legal for consumers ages 21 and over. Minors are prohibited from accessing kratom.
- Local communities reserve the right to restrict or ban kratom. Currently, kratom is illegal in the towns of Monument and Parker.
- The legal status of kratom in Denver is slightly ambiguous, but more on that later.
For the vast majority of Coloradans, kratom access isn’t a problem. As long as you abide by the few rules and regulations, you should be okay.
Is Kratom Legal in Denver?
The legal status of kratom in Denver is somewhat murky. In 2017, Denver Environmental Health banned kratom for human consumption. For this reason, some online kratom retailers won’t ship to addresses in Denver. However, the phrasing of the law makes it clear that kratom itself isn’t prohibited—it’s consumption that regulators are concerned about.
For this reason, kratom products in Denver must bear a label that reads “not for human consumption.” Kratom can still be sold and possessed in the city (and in fact you can still find kratom at a number of gas stations, convenience stores, and nutrition retailers), but the law restricts how kratom can be used.
Some have predicted that a full-fledged kratom ban might be next, but this has yet to happen. As of right now, there are no plans to schedule or restrict kratom in Denver. And, in fact, enforcement of Denver’s existing kratom restrictions are currently on hold as city officials wait to examine the impact of new statewide kratom regulations.
Cities Where You Cannot Buy Kratom in Colorado
As noted before, kratom is legal in Colorado—but you can’t always access it at the local level. Two towns in particular—Monument and Parker—have banned kratom within their geographic limits.
After lengthy debate from kratom advocates and opponents, the retail sale of kratom was banned by the Monument Board of Trustees in November of 2019. It’s worth noting, however, that the law only addresses kratom sales. Possession is still legal. Kratom has not been scheduled as a controlled substance in the city or anywhere else in Colorado.
The same rules apply in Parker, which passed an ordinance banning kratom sales right around the same time as Monument. The Parker Town Council voted to enact a law that would ban kratom sales within town limits—imposing a $500 fine on any businesses in violation of the ordinance. The law does not affect kratom possession.
Castle Rock is the only other Colorado town that has imposed any sort of kratom restrictions. Back in 2019, Castle Rock officials placed a 6-month freeze on licensing new kratom retailers so that they could research the effects of kratom and come up with a list of regulations to ensure safe purchasing. The goal wasn’t to ban kratom sales specifically but rather to protect against adulterated and synthetic kratom Ultimately, officials voted to ban kratom sales to anyone under the age of 18.
Kratom Regulation Comes to Colorado
For years, advocates have been urging Colorado state officials to enact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a set of kratom safety regulations that several other states have already put in place.
The goal of the KCPA is to hold manufacturers, processors, and retailers accountable for the types of safety regulations that the federal government would typically oversee. The federal government currently takes a hands-off approach with kratom, leaving the market vulnerable to poor-quality and adulterated products.
Now Colorado is about to become the eighth U.S. state to enact major kratom regulations. Gov. Jared Polis (D)—who has long advocated for researching the effects of kratom—signed the Colorado Regulation Of Kratom Processors Act into law back in May of 2022, and the law is set to take effect in July of 2023. This law is Colorado’s own version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and is being heralded by the American Kratom Association (the organization that authored the original KCPA).
The new law introduces the following requirements:
- Any business that sells kratom in Colorado must register with the state Department of Revenue and disclose specific information about each kratom processor’s products.
- The state will establish a database of companies that sell kratom.
- The minimum age for kratom purchases is 21. Buyers must present ID to prove they meet the age requirement.
- Third-party laboratory testing is a requirement for kratom sold in Colorado.
- Businesses must notify state regulators if they’re made aware of adverse reactions resulting from kratom they’ve sold.
It’s not yet known if the new regulations will have any impact on the existing laws in Denver, Monument, or Parker.
It’s a Great Time to Buy Kratom in Colorado
There’s never been a better time to buy kratom in Colorado. Just remember the following:
- Be mindful of the local and statewide laws
- Buy kratom online to get the best value and quality (avoid gas station kratom)
- Make sure that any kratom you purchase is third-party lab tested
- Take some time to enjoy the incredible sun, snow, and scenery in the Centennial State
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Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
