Colorado lawmakers speak out about bill aimed at saving lives, opens discussion around mental health

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -11News is speaking with the legislators behind a new law that’s aimed at regulating the sale of a dangerous chemical that some people use to complete suicide. The bill was signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Wednesday.

“The world is full of these kinds of things that are happening and we are not aware of them until it affects us as a individual,” said Representative Marc Catlin of District 58.

Representative Marc Catlin and Representative Judy Amabile worked together across party lines to bring attention to an extremely lethal chemical that can be bought online with little to no restrictions.

“It was brought to me by a constituent who lost his son. His son bought this product online, it was promoted through a suicide enabling website,” said Representative Judy Amabile of District 49.

The chemical, which we are purposely not naming, is typically used for preserving food like meats. According to the law’s text, from 2018 to 2023, more than 25 Coloradans died from ingesting it.

“It was disturbing to find. It just seemed like today is the day to do it and we did,” Representative Catlin.

The law puts restrictions on who can buy it. It also ensures it is properly labeled.

“It can only be sold to somebody, or an entity, who has a legitimate business purpose for it,” said Amabile.

“If it saves, just one person, it has been worth the effort,” said Catlin.

Both lawmakers tell 11News it’s just one small part of the broader conversation surrounding mental health.

“Families really just have to be looking out for one another. We have to try to get at the root causes of why people are turning to suicide and work on those things in a broader and deeper way,” said Amabile.

If found guilty of violating the law, a civil penalty of $10,000 will be issued and the amount can go up to no more than a $1,000,000 for every violation afterwards.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or in need of support, help is available right now. You can call 988 for free confidential support at any time.

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