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Illegal psychoactive chocolate bars still being sold in Denver, officials say

By January 20, 2026 | updated 3 hours ago

A photo of a PolkaDot chocolate bar, which Denver officials say contains psychoactive substances, making it illegal to sell in the city or state. (Courtesy of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment)

Denver officials sent out a warning Tuesday that another brand of chocolate bars is illegally selling product containing psychoactive substances.

The PolkaDot brand of chocolate bars, marketed as producing psychoactive effects, tested positive for psilocybin, psilocin and several other compounds that can elicit psychoactive effects and are illicit in retail food products, according to a Tuesday news release from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

The bars tested by the department were taken from the shelves at three Denver retailers, according to the release. City and state laws prohibit the sale of psilocybin and psychoactive products and businesses found selling them can be subject to fines, license suspension and potential criminal penalties.

While Colorado voters approved a statewide regulatory framework for natural psychedelic substances in 2022, the access to psilocybin and psilocin is limited to just licensed facilitators or healing centers and the purchase of any other psychoactive substance outside of those areas remains illegal, according to the release.

Tuesday’s announcement marks the second time in a span of seven months that Denver officials have found illegal psychoactive chocolate bars on retail shelves, according to the release.

A previous announcement on July 24, noted that city officials found chocolate bars under the brand West Coast Gold Caps also tested positive for psilocybin and were illegal to sell under Denver and Colorado law.

PolkaDot’s brand materials and labeling is publicly available online, making it accessible for people to produce products under the label without consistent regulatory oversight, according to the release. Products include chocolate bars, gummies, liquid shots and seltzers that are sold through online retailers as well as in smoke shops, convenience stores and gas stations.

Anyone who sees PolkaDot products is asked to report them to 311 or other local authorities. Anyone who is experiencing negative effects after consuming them is asked to seek immediate medical attention.

Michael Braithwaite

Reporter

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