DENVER (KDVR) — The city of Denver issued a license for the first natural healing center in the city, according to a statement made to FOX31 from a spokesperson for the City and County of Denver on Wednesday.
This is a major landmark in a process that began in 2022, when Colorado voters approved Proposition 122: Access to Natural Psychedelic Substances, establishing a statewide regulatory framework for natural medicines.
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That vote was followed by the Colorado legislature enacting Senate Bill 23-290: Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization in 2023. This amended the regulatory framework for natural medicine.
In March 2025, the Denver City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 25-0132, establishing city rules and regulations for natural medicine, which would require businesses to have a license to operate natural healing centers, and restrict the centers from operating within 1,000 feet of child care centers and schools.
The bill also determined that a license would not be required for cultivation, manufacturing and testing facility businesses.
The news of the first approved license comes nearly a month after the city began accepting applications from prospective businesses on June 26.
The pioneering business is called the Center Origin, located in the 1400 block of Blake Street, and is owned by Elizabeth Cooke and Michaela Vogt.
In accordance with city rules, the owners of the Center Origin submitted the required documents alongside an application fee of $100. After being ruled eligible, the owners must pay an annual licensing fee of $100.
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The Center Origin website’s About Us page states:
“The Center Origin is a licensed psychedelic-assisted healing center that offers Journey Work for individuals and groups, as well as post-Journey Work Integration services.
“At The Center Origin, we believe that true healing requires a holistic, integrated approach that honors the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Our Journey Work Program offers space for deep healing, inner exploration, and personal transformation, all within the sanctuary of our private rooms located in the LoDo neighborhood of downtown Denver. The Center Origin offers individual, couples & group Journey Work sessions.
“The Center Origin also provides Training Practicums and a Facilitator Consultation Program for individuals who wish to offer psychedelic-assisted services in Colorado.
“At The Center Origin, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality and accessible training and consultation services that align with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Natural Medicine Consultation requirements.”
Natural medicine is typically used as an alternative treatment for those who are suffering from mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the National Institute of Health.
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