Inside Colorado's First Psychedelic Church: A New Path to Healing and Community

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — Tucked away in the basement of a home just outside Colorado Springs, a quiet revolution is taking place. The Community of PACK Life, Colorado's first psychedelic church, is blending ancient spiritual practices with modern psychedelic experiences, creating a space where people come together for healing and connection.

Since opening its doors in February 2024 with just 15 members, the church has grown to more than 350 members, each drawn by a shared belief in the power of psychedelics to heal the mind and spirit. Located in a traditionally conservative region, the church is pushing boundaries—challenging stigma and offering a communal sanctuary for those seeking to explore natural medicines in a supportive environment.

The Community of PACK Life operates in the wake of Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022, which decriminalized the personal use of psychedelic mushrooms and other hallucinogens for adults 21 and over. The act has opened doors for state-regulated "healing centers," but until those centers become a reality, places like PACK Life are stepping in to fill the gap.

Founded by Benji Dezaval, the church is not a medical facility but rather a community where natural psychedelic substances such as mushrooms, DMT, and mescaline are shared freely among members as communal gifts.

Members never pay for the substances—ensuring that the church stays within the legal bounds of Colorado law, which prohibits the sale of psychedelics but allows for gifting in personal, non-commercial settings.

"We're not a healing center. We're a church, a community," says Dezaval. “It’s about people, not profits. It’s healing.”

The church’s structure emphasizes community first, with psychedelic experiences serving as tools for personal growth and connection rather than the main focus. Members gather for fellowship, emotional support, and a shared belief in the transformative power of natural medicines. We reflect our communal values in everything we do, from the space we share to the gifts we offer," Dezaval explains.

El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, is known for its conservative leanings. In this setting, PACK Life stands as a bold, progressive experiment. For years, the area has been viewed as resistant to cultural shifts like psychedelic decriminalization, but Dezaval believes that the church is exactly where it needs to be.

This conservative ghost haunts Colorado Springs," says Dezaval. "People say, 'Oh, it's so conservative down there.' But it’s not. The truth is, this is where it belongs. We’re helping people see that there’s more to healing than conventional paths.

The church’s rapid growth reflects the local community’s thirst for alternative approaches to mental health and personal development. For many members, the church provides a safe haven where they can explore their inner selves without judgment.

Before members receive their weekly “communal gift,” which can range from two grams of dried mushrooms to a regimen of microdoses, they participate in a mandatory safety lecture. The focus is on education, ensuring that each person understands the potential risks and benefits of using psychedelics.

Whenever you show up, the first thing we do is talk about safety,” says Dezaval. “We go over the risks, and after that, you’re able to receive your weekly gift. Whether it’s mushrooms, edibles, or microdoses, everything is made right here at the church.

While some substances, like mushrooms, can be taken home for personal use, others, such as DMT, must be consumed in the communal setting. The intent is to provide a controlled environment where individuals can experience these powerful substances in the presence of trusted community members.

For many, PACK Life is much more than a church—it’s a sanctuary. Members like Livia Demopoulos appreciate the church's focus on creating a safe, welcoming space where the use of natural medicine is a choice, not an obligation. “They can come here on their best days, on their worst days.

They can come just for hugs. They don’t have to partake in natural medicine to be part of this community,” says Demopoulos.

Another member, Kathie Miller, found solace in the church for her mental health. “I don’t partake in 90% of the natural medicines here, but even my therapist has seen the progress I’ve made just by being in this environment. That’s what it’s all about—healing through connection.”

The church is intentionally low-pressure, with optional donations and no financial expectations from members. As Dezaval explains, “There is never any intent to make people feel obligated to donate. It’s about people, not profits.”

For Dezaval, the church is deeply personal. One of the driving forces behind his dedication to this community is his late friend Harry Tuff, an Air Force veteran who believed in the power of natural medicine for mental health. Tuff passed away in April 2024 after a long battle with depression, but his legacy lives on at PACK Life.

This is about a powerful us,” Dezaval says, holding up a photo of Tuff. “Harry is always part of that us—forever. This church is about making the world a little better, the city a little better, and ensuring he’s never forgotten.

As PACK Life continues to grow, it’s becoming more than just Colorado’s first psychedelic church—it’s a community breaking down barriers and providing a path for healing in a new, unconventional way.