The Colorado Department of Law has allocated $8.25 million to address the opioid crisis across the state and within county jails, as announced by Attorney General Phil Weiser at the third Colorado Opioid Abatement Council Conference in Loveland.
Nineteen organizations received Opioid Response Strategic Impact Grants, while five jails were awarded $50,000 each for their efforts in providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and supporting individuals post-release. Weiser also committed to supporting the Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund to ensure continued availability of this treatment in Colorado.
“Our approach to managing opioid settlement funds is widely hailed as one of the best in the country, and that’s thanks to the tireless work of leaders across Colorado,” said Weiser. “As we move forward, our mission is clear –to improve and save lives by working to make treatment available when and where it’s needed as well as preserving access to life-saving naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and build stronger, safer communities across Colorado.”
Providing MOUD in criminal justice settings has proven effective in reducing overdose death rates. In Rhode Island, a 61% decrease in post-release overdoses was observed within a year of offering MOUD in jails.
In Colorado, 20 county jails were nominated for recognition by various stakeholders for their work in providing MOUD and post-release care. Grants were awarded to sheriff’s offices in Summit, Moffat, Morgan, Pueblo (pending), and Arapahoe (pending) counties.
During his keynote address at the conference, Weiser highlighted his administration’s commitment to ensuring naloxone's availability. Starting summer 2025, the department will provide one-time funding for the Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund with details on the amount yet to be finalized. The office will also work with state agencies on strategies to secure resources for this initiative.
The Opioid Response Strategic Impact Grant supports government and community organizations fighting Colorado’s opioid crisis. The application process began in January 2024 with 83 applications requesting nearly $48 million by March 2024. Grants were awarded to organizations focusing on several critical areas:
1. **Increase support for people in recovery**:
- **5280 High School**: $500,000
- **North Colorado Health Alliance**: $750,000
2. **Provide substance use prevention, treatment**, and recovery services respecting cultural differences:
- **Antelope Recovery LLC**: $150,000
- **Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership**: $675,000
- **United Way of Southwest Colorado**: $140,000
3. **Expand access to MOUD**, naloxone**, and other proven services:
- **Clinica Family Health**: $225,000
- **Colorado Health Network Inc.**: $625,000
- **Denver Recovery Group LLC**: $450,000
- **The Naloxone Project**: $600,000 (pending)
- **Porch Light Health**: $475,000
- **San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center**: $295,000
- **Sobriety House**: $130,000
- **Young People in Recovery**: $200
4. Bolster housing options for people with substance use disorder:
- Addiction Research and Treatment Services:**$675k**
– This organization will establish two recovery residences that offer access to MOUD & on-site peer support.
– CO Coalition for Homeless:**$300k**
– The Family Opioid Impact Project will provide peer recovery support families struggling w/ substance use apartment complexes across four counties.
5.) Offer family peer support & treatment pregnant/new mothers struggling addiction:
– CO Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative:**$685k**
– This project help pregnant/postpartum individuals access evidence-based culturally responsive care including MOUD/peer recovery support.
– University CO Denver College Nursing:**$700k**
– The Recovery Coach Doula Program train doulas lived experience support individuals substance use disorder during pregnancy/postpartum.
6.) Judi's House:**$300k**
– program provide mental health treatment youth/caregivers experienced family death addressing bereavement complications such as substance misuse/mental health concerns.
7.) Encourage workplaces support employees recovery:
– Recovery Friendly Leader:**$125k pending**
– This program support workplace leaders creating recovery-friendly environments offering training/resources reduce stigma/support employees affected substance use.
Funding these grants stems lawsuits against drug manufacturers/distributors w/CO track receive:$787m initiative targets10%opioid settlement funds allocated state/all funds must used abate opioid crisis outlined joint opioid framework agreement between state/local governments.