From luxurious mountain retreats and tranquil spas to churches, small studios and even boots-on-the-ground teams, it's becoming clearer how the "magic mushrooms" industry will take shape in Colorado.

State of play: Many people across the country — and world — are already experimenting with new models for the budding industry, last week's Psychedelic Science conference made clear.

• At the Pearl Psychedelic Institute — which looks like a small house in Waynesville, North Carolina — therapists work in paired teams, under the guidance of a medical doctor, to administer MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy or molly) during an eight-hour therapeutic session.
• The session is supplemented with separate, unmedicated integrative therapy meetings.

Zoom in: Lotus Entheogenic Church, in Oakland, California, is a non-denominational religious group that partners with harm-reduction nonprofits to offer psilocybin and support to people battling addiction on the streets.

• Tracy Stansbury, who works for the church, tells Axios Denver that she has seen "immediate results and transformation" of people's lives when they open themselves up to plant medicine.

What they're saying: Attorney Joshua Kappel, who co-authored a state bill creating healing centers, anticipates the first center to open in Colorado in mid-2025.

• The therapy will likely be expensive — one expert told us it can cost about $3,500 per session in Oregon — so Kappel wants government subsidies or group sessions to help lower costs.

The bottom line: Colorado being among the first states to provide this treatment is an honor — but comes with added responsibility, experts warn.

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The Colorado Republican Party appears to be spending more energy attacking its own members than challenging rival Democrats.

Why it matters: The GOP is looking to regroup after "extinction-level" losses in the 2022 election, but it's struggling to find a path to winning seats in Congress and the state Legislature.

State of play: Former state Rep. Dave Williams promised to bring a firebrand approach to the job when activists picked him as the party chairperson in March. Except his first fight is against Republicans he doesn't see as strong conservatives.

• Williams is wading into GOP primary contests — potentially in violation of the party's rules — to oppose a state senator's repeat bid for the 8th Congressional District.
• Last week, he blasted four prominent Republicans — including two state lawmakers — in a fundraising email for opposing the Montana House's decision to prohibit a transgender lawmaker from speaking. The four signed because they were concerned about limiting freedom of speech.

What they're saying: His leadership is already drawing sharp rebukes from party insiders.

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Just days before its much-anticipated reopening, Casa Bonita rescinded its original employment contracts and asked staff to sign new agreements that may amount to smaller wages, John reported Saturday.

Why it matters: Casa Bonita's new owners, "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are receiving national attention for their $40 million rehab of the legendary pink-palace venue in Lakewood. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appeared in a Casa Bonita video touting the promise of the new jobs.

• But behind the scenes, the pay shift, a weeks-delayed launch and a limited opening with seating just three days a week are raising alarms with some employees.

State of play: Casa Bonita initially advertised salaries ranging from $14.27 to $15.27 an hour for servers and bartenders, in addition to tips. And employees signed contracts earlier this spring agreeing to these wages, according to documents reviewed by Axios Denver.

Yes, but: The restaurant is now offering a $30 hourly rate to servers and bartenders, but neither will receive tips as part of their wages.

• The increased hourly rate will provide more stable income if the restaurant is not full.
• But it represents a decrease in total wages, potentially by hundreds of dollars per shift, from what management suggested with tips when it's near capacity, according to one employee who spoke with us and documents provided to Axios.

Go deeper

🌪️ Cleanup is underway in Highlands Ranch after last week's tornado caused significant property damage to homes. The destruction prompted Douglas County to issue a disaster declaration. (CBS)

⚖️ A judge has ordered Denver Public Schools to release footage from a closed-door meeting its school board held following a shooting at East High School in March. During the meeting, board members decided to return school resource officers. (9News)

😦 Researchers at Stanford found benzene levels in gas stoves in Colorado are worse than secondhand tobacco smoke. The study tested homes in Colorado and California and found the toxic substance can linger inside homes. (Colorado Sun)

🛢️ Suncor's oil refinery in Commerce City was fined $15,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration over a safety violation that led to two employee injuries last December. (Denver Post)

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Skyline Park will host pickleball and volleyball this summer as the city and Downtown Denver Partnership team up to provide activities at the green space.

Details: Called Summer at Skyline Park, the program started this month to bring free and family-friendly activities to downtown. It will be open daily through Sept. 30.

• You'll also have your choice of watching outdoor movies, drinking at the beer garden, roller skating and mini golf.

Be smart: You'll have to register online for pickleball and volleyball, while skating and mini golf are available on a walk-in basis.