**Steamboat Springs, Colorado-August 18, 2026-**Public safety officials are issuing a warning about synthetic compounds increasingly found in products marketed as natural supplements. These substances, often sold in convenience stores and online, have been tied to dangerous medical emergencies in Steamboat Springs, Craig and surrounding communities, prompting coordinated efforts to protect residents and raise public awareness.
On May 10, a 29-year-old man was found deceased in Steamboat Springs. On June 21, a man was found deceased in Craig. Autopsy and toxicology reports in both investigations attributed the causes of death to kratom toxicity.
“This is not a theoretical concern — people in our community are being harmed by substances they believed were safe,” said Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett. “These deaths show that products marketed as natural or harmless can be anything but. We need families, especially young people, to understand the risks and talk openly about these products. Awareness can prevent another tragedy.”
7-OH is a compound that occurs naturally in trace amounts in the kratom plant. However, concentrated and enhanced 7-OH products are increasingly being sold in forms including tablets, capsules, gummies, drink mixes and liquid shots at convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops and online.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers concentrated 7-OH products potent opioid products. The FDA has identified serious risks associated with 7-OH, including addiction, withdrawal, seizures and other potentially harmful effects.
Some commercially available products contain enhanced or concentrated levels of 7-OH well above the amounts naturally found in kratom. Products also may be inconsistently labeled, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are taking or how much 7-OH a product contains.
Federal agencies are also acting in response to concerns about concentrated 7-OH products. On July 1, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced its intent to temporarily place 7-OH above a specified threshold and three related synthetic substances into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. The action targets highly concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products and does not apply to botanical kratom products containing naturally occurring 7-OH below the specified threshold.
Steamboat Springs Police and the Craig Police Departments encourage residents to:
Learn about the risks associated with 7-OH and kratom products.
Talk with children and young adults about products that may be marketed as natural, legal or dietary supplements.
Be cautious of product labels and marketing claims.
Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with kratom or 7-OH use.
If someone may have been exposed to a potentially dangerous substance, Poison Control provides free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222. If someone collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately.
For substance-use treatment and recovery support, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP), offering free and confidential information and referrals. Residents also can contact their health care provider or seek assistance at the nearest emergency department when immediate medical attention is needed.
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Contact
Email Mark Beckett, Police Chief, or call 970-879-4344
Email Rich Brown, Commander, or call 970-879-4344
Email Michael Lane, Marketing & Communications Manager, or call 970-871-8220