Public County Public Health Advises 1,000-Foot Distance Between Schools and Psychedelic Clinics
In a 4-1 vote on Thursday, the Pitkin County Board of Health recommended a 1,000-foot limit on the operation of psychedelic treatment centers near high schools and middle schools, with no limit on proximity to childcare facilities.
The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners requested the Board of Health’s recommendation before deciding on potential zoning regulations for psychedelic treatment centers in the county.
The Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization bill, enacted in May 2023, laid the groundwork for legalizing psychedelic mushrooms and establishing treatment centers. The law included a suggested minimum distance from schools and residential childcare facilities but allowed local municipalities to modify or eliminate those requirements.
The bill recommended a 1,000-foot distance from both schools and childcare facilities. Since its enactment, some municipalities have made changes, including Boulder and Colorado Springs.
Boulder reduced the restriction, setting a 500-foot limit from schools and removing any distance requirement for childcare facilities.
Colorado Springs took the opposite approach, enforcing a one-mile buffer from both schools and childcare centers, significantly limiting where centers can operate.
The Pitkin Board of Health took inspiration from Boulder, initially proposing a 1,000-foot distance from schools with no restriction for childcare facilities.
“I’ll make a motion that the Pitkin County Board of Health recommends the City of Boulder approach,” said Board of Health member Sam Rose. “Which is at least 500 feet from any middle, junior high school. But everything else be allowed.”
The motion was later amended to a 1,000-foot requirement before the vote. Board member Dr. Christa Gieszl voted against the recommendation, and Greg Poschman abstained due to his position on the Board of County Commissioners, which will make the final decision.
Board members discussed concerns that proximity to facilities distributing substances might increase the likelihood of use. One study cited found that people living within 1,500 feet of a tobacco retailer were less likely to quit smoking compared to those living farther away.
“Participants living in a short walking distance, they chose 500 meters, which is 1,500 feet of the closest tobacco retail outlet, were less likely to maintain continuous abstinence from smoking six months following a quit attempt than those who live further from the closest tobacco retail outlets,” said Dr. Kim Levin, medical officer on the Board of Health.
Some board members pointed out that psychedelic treatment centers differ from tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana retailers, as psilocybin cannot be purchased for use outside of those centers.
Dr. Gieszl, the lone dissenting voice, highlighted the lack of data supporting the recommendation. While acknowledging potential benefits of psychedelic therapy, she raised concerns about the possible impact of such centers near schools and childcare facilities.
“What if people are trying to break into places to get substances?” she asked. “What happens to the neighborhood around there? Does petty crime increase? There’s all sorts of different topics that need to be considered in this, as well.”
Despite the Board of Health’s recommendation, the Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision on how to regulate the distance of psychedelic treatment centers from schools and childcare facilities.
By: Colin SuszynskiI The Aspen Times I July 18, 2025
Photo: Jenny Kane