Director’s Note

Dear Partners and Colleagues,

This spring marks meaningful milestones in Colorado’s efforts to address the opioid and overdose crisis.

We are proud to announce the launch of 2024 expenditure reporting on our publicly accessible dashboard. This update represents more than data—it underscores our collective commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring every opioid settlement dollar drives real, measurable impact.

In addition, the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council awarded $5 million in infrastructure awards to 12 organizations across the state. This third round of Infrastructure Share funding drew the widest range of applicants yet, with over $21 million in requests - evidence of the continued and widespread need for services.

We are also honored that Colorado received national recognition and the opportunity to present at the 2025 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit (opens to external webpage) for our collaborative approach to measuring success in opioid abatement within our state and at the Summit on Reducing Overdose (opens to external webpage) for Colorado's leadership in fostering state-local partnerships. Your work is helping set the standard—providing inspiration and progress.

Closer to home, we’re encouraged by preliminary data (opens to external webpage) showing a potential 35% decline in fentanyl overdose death rates in Colorado. While this is a shift in the right direction, we remain focused on persistent disparities and advancing the work ahead.

Finally, I want to recognize Attorney General Phil Weiser's continued leadership in defending Colorado and its behavioral health system. In response to community concerns about the potential loss of critical funding, Attorney General Phil Weiser led a lawsuit to prevent the termination of $220 million in public and behavioral health funds for Colorado. Last month, a Temporary Restraining Order was granted to preserve these funds—part of $11 billion nationally. You can sign up here to receive news alerts about ongoing efforts to defend Colorado.

Each update in this newsletter reflects the work of our partners to these shared goals. As funds reach more communities, we welcome your input and stories at opioids@coag.gov.

Warmly,

Jamie Feld

Director of Opioid Response

Colorado Department of Law

On May 14, 2025, the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) voted to award $5 million in Infrastructure Share funding to 12 organizations and local governments across the state working to combat the opioid crisis. The investment will fund capital improvements and operational support in 13 of Colorado’s 19 opioid regions. Among the funded projects are new treatment facilities, recovery residences, mobile harm reduction units, and recovery-focused schools. See our office's May 15 press release to learn about the funded projects.

To learn more about future funding opportunities, organizations are encouraged to visit the COAC webpage, Department of Law funding opportunities webpage, and sign up for this newsletter.

On April 10, 2025, the Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic in Mesa County opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting led by Dr. Ryan Jackman.

As Dr. Jackman shared, “Intermountain is dedicated to taking care of all people and has created a safe, beautiful place for an often-marginalized group of people to heal. People don’t have to be afraid of being judged, stigmatized or shamed because of their substance use. Our job is to come alongside and help you get what you want out of life.”

Supported by Round 2 Infrastructure funds from the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council, and in partnership with Region 13, Intermountain Health, and other funders, the clinic provides outpatient medical and behavioral care for adults facing addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Beginning May 1, 2025, it will also accept referrals for adolescent intensive outpatient services for youth ages 14–18.

For more information, please visit the Grand Junction Integrated Addiction Medicine clinic website (opens to external webpage).

With support from the Colorado Opioid Response Strategic Impact Grant, CU College of Nursing and the North Colorado Health Alliance (NCHA) are partnering statewide to strengthen family-centered recovery support.

In March 2025, they joined Elephant Circle to host a “Doula is a Verb” training, certifying nine community members—mothers and daughters alike. This generational model passes healing and empowerment through families, supported by inclusive practices like meal provision and childcare.

To date, 22 doulas have been trained across Colorado. For mothers navigating substance use disorder, doulas offer critical emotional and physical support—leading to healthier births, deeper bonds, and stronger recovery engagement.

The success of this initiative highlights that partnership and collaboration are essential to building sustainable support systems. By working together, CU College of Nursing are not only changing individual lives, but they are also laying the groundwork for healthier families and stronger communities across Colorado.

Learn more about their work here:

CU Nursing (opens to external webpage) | North Colorado Health Alliance (external webpage)

Funded through the State Share, the Colorado Opioid Model to Advance Treatment (CO-MAT) is helping counties expand opioid treatment and care coordination using a proven “hub and spoke” model.

Denver Health and the Northern Colorado Health Alliance have developed a statewide toolkit—building on successful models in correctional and community care—to offer technical assistance and resources for all 64 Colorado counties.

The project includes hub and spoke profiles, support for MAT in jails and prisons, and tools to improve treatment access across systems.

To learn, more visit: www.denverptc.org/co-mat (external webpage)

Register here (opens to external webpage) for the 2025 Youth Prevention Institute, a two-day event on June 17–18 in Colorado Springs focused on building strong, supportive relationships with youth as protective factors across systems.

Hosted by Rocky Mountain HIDTA and partners, this gathering will equip professionals with tools to foster connection and resilience in their communities.

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