Kratom’s Popularity Grows in Colorado Amid Calls for Caution

Kratom, a plant-based supplement native to Southeast Asia, is increasingly appearing on shelves in Boulder and across Colorado, often in the form of 21+ beverages and powders. Its rise in popularity is evident at venues like The Root Kava Co., where general manager Tekoa Williams notes a steady stream of customers seeking its reported mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects.

While many users turn to kratom for relief from chronic pain-especially when traditional treatments fall short-experts urge caution. David Kroll, a professor at CU Anschutz, describes kratom as “not exactly a drug, but not exactly a food,” emphasizing that its natural origins do not guarantee safety. Colorado’s recent regulations now restrict kratom sales to adults over 21 and prohibit mixing it with substances like alcohol.

As kratom use grows, both advocates and regulators agree: access should be balanced with careful oversight. Read more at Boulder Weekly.