From Inspiration to Action: Conference Resources

Collage of photos of work of the Colorado Attorney General's Office in responding to the opioid crisis with Combating the opioid crisis in large text

Reflecting Forward

As we reflect on the 4th Annual Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference (opens new webpage), we invite you to revisit key moments and consider how the resources in this newsletter can help move you from inspiration to action, whether by submitting a more collaborative funding application, building a bridge with a new partner or recommitting to the values shared in the sessions. We hope these connections and resources strengthen the statewide, community-driven already work underway across Colorado.

Conference Reflections

The 4th Annual Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference brought together over 500 Coloradans from all 19 regions to strengthen our collective response to the opioid crisis.

One of the most meaningful aspects—highlighted by 13% of survey respondents—was the centering of lived experience, from youth and parents to peer leaders and recovery advocates.

“It felt like a rare space where professionals and people with lived experience were learning from each other as equals. That’s how we build trust—and real change.”

But elevating voices in the room is just the beginning. As one council member reminded us, we must ensure we’re not just playing our own notes—we need to build a symphony. That requires alignment and coordination across regions and systems to create meaningful, lasting change.

This conference laid a strong foundation. Now, we must continue the work—building behavioral health systems that truly serve all people, in all communities.

Below are the recordings (opens YouTube), photos (opens Google Drive) and opportunities to rekindle the connection.

Speakers from 2025 Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference speak on a panel

Speakers from the 2025 Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference speak on a panel

All Session Conference Recordings are Now Available

Watch the recordings (opens YouTube) – All 22 sessions are now available on YouTube.

Revisit inspiring moments or catch sessions you missed. Please share these widely with your networks.

Click HERE to access the 2025 Conference Recordings (opens YouTube)

What You Told Us - Survey Highlights (from 170 responses)

97% of attendees rated the conference as Good to Excellent
90% would recommend it to others
Described as “transformative,” “grounding,” and “the most human conference I’ve ever attended”

Group of 200+ individuals in business attire smiling for a photo on the floor of a conference center.

Group of 500+ individuals sitting in a large room surrounding circular tables. The audience is listening to a presenter on stage.

Share Your Highlights

2025 Official Conference Photo Gallery Now Available (opens Google Drive)

Help keep the momentum going by sharing your favorite moments and tagging us. Together we can amplify more voices and expand the conversation statewide with the hashtag: #OpioidResponseCO

Apply for Opioid Settlement Funding Opportunities

Up to $23 million in new statewide funding is available through two major opportunities for forward-looking projects.

Click HERE to learn about Round 4 Infrastructure Funding (opens webpage)

Click HERE to learn about the Resilient Colorado Grant (opens new webpage)

Join the Upcoming Town Hall

This town hall continues our commitment to upstream prevention by focusing on the evolving online risks facing Colorado youth.

Join Attorney General Phil Weiser and community leaders for an upstream conversation about the growing online risks facing Colorado youth.

Social Media, Chatbots, and the Risks Facing Our Kids: A Town Hall

📅 Date: November 20, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:30-8:30 pm

📍 Location: First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce St., Boulder

👉 Registration is required, but the event is free. Register here (opens new webpage).

What to Expect:

AG Weiser on holding tech companies accountable
District Attorney Michael Dougherty on youth safety
Families directly impacted
Q&A, connection, and community reflection

Live Spanish interpretation and bilingual materials will be provided.

Please share this invitation with your networks.

Click HERE to register for the town hall (opens new webpage)

Recovery Friendly Workplace Certification

The Colorado Department of Law is now a certified Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace—the first justice or law enforcement agency in the nation to receive this designation. The certification was presented at the conference, along with awards to three Recovery Friendly Workplace Champions.

We rolled up our sleeves right after the conference to put this certification into action. The following week, all Colorado Department of Law supervisors and Human Resources staff received consultation and training to support our recovery-friendly environment.

“Recovery thrives when we replace stigma with support,” said Attorney General Weiser. “I’m proud our department is leading by example.”

Click HERE to learn more about the initiative (opens new webpage)

Thank you for your continued leadership and partnership as we move this work forward together.

Don't forget, you can reach the entire Opioid Response Unit team at Opioids@coag.gov