On May 29, Governor Jarid Polis of Colorado signed into a law a kratom regulation bill supported by both kratom advocates and the father of a man who died from the combined toxicity of strong doses of a concentrated kratom extract and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine).
Dubbed the Daniel Bregger Act after the deceased man, the law will regulate kratom products to actually keep consumers safe, rather than funnel the products to the unregulated, dangerous illegal market via a ban.
Colorado’s first Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), was passed in 2022. This law established basic safety standards for kratom products, including labeling requirements and restrictions on sales to minors.
The new law, which goes into effect July 1, 2025, strengthens Colorado’s existing KCPA by adding fines for violations, stronger labeling requirements, limits the sale of highly concentrated extracts, and requires manufacturers to register each product with the state. It also limits the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine in any product to under 2% of alkaloids and bans synthetic kratom. It prohibits companies from marketing products in a way that appeals to children (for example, cartoons on the packaging).
The law also allocates funding for implementation and enforcement of the new and existing regulations.
In a press release, the Matthew Lowe of the Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) said, “We are deeply grateful to the Colorado General Assembly for taking decisive action to clearly distinguish what is kratom and what is not, restricting high-potency and synthetic products, and making all kratom products more transparent for consumers.”
The American Kratom Association (AKA) initially opposed the bill, and in February asked its followers to register for a Finance Committee public hearing to give testimony. A clear reason for its opposition was not given in AKA’s official statements or on social media, only mentioning that it was “bad for consumers”. On May 2, AKA’s Mac Haddow said in a YouTube video, “We have agreed to, between the GKC and the AKA, some language that was amended” and added “We’re actually in relatively good shape in Colorado.”
Daniel Bregger’s father, David, made this statement about the passage of the new regulations:
“So much could’ve prevented Dan’s death, basic consumer protections, clear labeling, dosage instructions and prohibiting these dangerous concentrated products synthesized from kratom. I fight in honor of my son so it will mean something. Today is further vindication. I thank the lawmakers and advocates who fought alongside me to get this bill passed.”