With the recent legalization of certain natural psychedelic substances in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has launched a public education campaign to warn residents about the dangers and illegality of driving under their influence.
Psilocybin and other substances such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) are now legal for personal use at home or at licensed healing centers. However, CDOT emphasizes that operating a vehicle while impaired by any substance—including alcohol, cannabis, pharmaceuticals, or psychedelics—remains illegal and dangerous. The department’s new campaign aims to reduce crashes and fatalities related to impaired driving by urging people to arrange sober transportation before consuming these substances.
According to CDOT, natural medicines can cause slowed reaction times, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and loss of muscle control. These effects may persist even after users feel their “trip” is over.
“With more people exploring natural medicines in Colorado, it’s important to understand how these substances can impact driving performance and the ability to react in critical situations,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “Even if you feel fine, psychedelics may affect your perception and lead to risky decisions like speeding or missing traffic signals. We want everyone to stay safe.”
The state’s Natural Medicine Division within the Colorado Department of Revenue has so far issued licenses to 21 healing centers along with 97 business owners and 67 employees involved in administering these therapies. As the number of facilities increases statewide, CDOT says it is committed to consumer education with the goal of keeping crash fatalities from psychedelics at zero.
“Similar to Colorado’s cannabis framework, we appreciate the strong interagency coordination in implementing the state’s new Natural Medicine Program,” said Dominique Mendiola, Senior Director for the Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division. “This is particularly critical when it comes to acknowledging what’s legal for adults in Colorado, while reinforcing best practices for responsible consumption. We appreciate our partnership with CDOT in setting standards that can lead the nation for both personal use and participation in this new regulated framework.”
CDOT has worked closely with several agencies—including the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Natural Medicine Program; the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; the Colorado Department of Public Safety; Governor’s Office; Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety; and various research organizations—to develop educational materials about safe consumption practices.
“One thing many people don’t think about is combining substances,” says Sgt. Sparks. “Let’s say you go to a concert and micro-dose mushrooms and have one or two beers, you might not think you’re too impaired to drive, but you likely are. And you’re at serious risk of a DUI. Just don’t take the chance.”
The department will distribute resources such as fact sheets and social media graphics through licensed facilities as well as regulatory agencies focused on law enforcement, prevention, and public health.
Effects from some natural medicines can last hours or days beyond an initial session—meaning lingering impairment could make driving unsafe long after use ends. Authorities recommend ensuring anyone behind the wheel has not consumed impairing substances within 24 hours.
Law enforcement officers are trained to detect impairment from any source—including psychedelics—and DUIs involving these drugs carry penalties similar to those for alcohol-related offenses: fines, license suspension, or jail time.
Even when used medicinally or ceremonially at licensed centers, it remains illegal in Colorado to drive under their influence. Unlimited Sciences Executive Director Katie Pickard stated: “As advocates for natural medicine, we have a shared responsibility to keep our communities safe. That means making the conscious choice to never drive while impaired.”
Participants using regulated natural medicines at healing centers must complete a Transportation Plan form verifying they have access to safe transportation regardless of how much medicine they consume.
