Evidence status: CURRENT STATE STATUTE, EFFECTIVE MAY 4, 2023. Colorado’s SB 23-144 created C.R.S. §12-30-109.5, a chronic-pain statute that protects individualized controlled-substance prescribing and restricts forced tapering based solely on preset dosage thresholds.
Appropriate controlled-substance treatment protected
A physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse may prescribe, dispense, or administer Schedule II-V controlled substances for a diagnosed condition causing chronic pain when acting for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.
No discipline solely for exceeding MME recommendations
A provider acting in good faith based on the patient’s needs is not subject to discipline solely because the prescribed dosage exceeds a morphine-milligram-equivalent recommendation or threshold in state or federal opioid guidelines or policies.
No forced taper solely to meet a threshold
If a patient is stable, compliant with the treatment plan, and not experiencing serious harm, the provider may not be required to taper solely to meet a predetermined MME recommendation or threshold.
Individualized taper decision
A decision to taper or maintain medication must include an individualized assessment of the patient’s medical condition and treatment plan, the risks and benefits of maintaining or tapering therapy, and discussion with the patient.
No threshold-only denial policies
Pharmacies, carriers, pharmacy benefit managers, health-care practices, and clinics may not impose certain refusal policies based solely on the fact that a prescription is an opiate or exceeds a predetermined MME threshold.
Risk discussion still required
Before treating chronic pain under the statute, the health-care provider must discuss the risks associated with the controlled substance and document that discussion in the patient’s record.
Relationship to Contract for Care
This statute does not itself require a signed pain contract. It is a separate patient-protection layer that applies outside the workers’ compensation contract framework and emphasizes individualized treatment rather than automatic dose-based restrictions.
Primary sources
Reviewed: October 5, 2026.