|
 Welcome
Welcome to the first Boulder Opioid Council newsletter! This quarterly newsletter is intended to keep the community updated and informed about Boulder County’s use of national Opioid Settlement Dollars and related activities of the Boulder County Region Opioid Council (BCROC).
Opioid Settlement Dollars & program background
The opioid crisis has affected millions of people and families across the country, including here in Boulder County. Since the late 1990s, hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. have died from overdoses linked to prescription pain medication and other opioids.
To respond, states and local governments reached legal settlements with the companies that made, sold, or distributed opioids. In Boulder County, these dollars are guided by the Boulder County Region Opioid Council (BCROC). BCROC meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend. Meeting details are posted on the Boulder County Opioids Council website. Questions or comments for the BCROC can be submitted by emailing BoulderOpioidCouncil@bouldercounty.gov.
In 2024, Boulder County created a strategic plan for opioid abatement and use of its allocated settlement dollars. This plan focuses on four main areas: substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Based on this plan, the county is already funding programs such as naloxone distribution, syringe access, youth prevention efforts, and expanded treatment and recovery support. This plan led to 22 local programs selected to receive funding for 2025 – 2026.
|
|
Meet the Opioid Abatement Program Team |
|
 Boulder County’s opioid settlement dollars are overseen by staff in the Boulder County Community Services department. Learn more about our staff!
|
|
Kelly Veit
"Real-life experiences, the challenges of finding culturally and linguistically resonant care, or seeking help without fear and stigma, are what truly guide this work. There’s no blueprint here, so the most important thing is to keep listening."
|
Tucker Eurman
"I am passionate about transforming systems for the better, to be more transparent, equitable, and community led. I aim to disrupt the status quo of systems that have historically marginalized, exploited, excluded, and oppressed community members."
|
Jordan Buggert
"I feel strongly about whole body health and destigmatizing mental health and substances use disorders. I hope as the Opioid funds continue to get out into the community that we can also see the social context shift to a less stigmatized view of people with opioid/substance use disorder."
|
Emily McCluskey
"Supporting people in recovery, whether vocation or avocation, is paramount...Humans are diverse and having such varied options for us to access community and recovery gives me so much hope."
|
|
|
State and Regional Updates |
|
Settlement News
Two new settlements have been reached with the Purdue Pharma/Sackler Family and “Secondary Manufacturers”. It is unknown how much funding will come to Boulder County from these new settlements as municipalities are still signing on. The BCROC will provide an update during a regularly scheduled meeting as soon as more information becomes available.
Funding Opportunities
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office oversees all state and local opioid settlement funds through its Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC), including opening funding opportunities themselves. The COAC anticipates opening two funding opportunities in October 2025. Refer to their funding opportunities webpage for information.
|
BCROC News
In its August and September meetings, the BCROC adopted guiding principles, approved the development of standard operating procedures, identified three programs to receive direct funding for 2026.
Guiding principles and standard operating procedures are still in development and will be approved by the BCROC in October.
Programs receiving direct funds were identified as the only or primary provider of a particular service identified in the Opioid Abatement Strategic Plan with no other funding source available. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) and Jail Medication Assisted Treatment (JMAT) programs provide substance use treatment, counseling, and reentry support for incarcerated community members. The Works Program provides harm reduction supplies and services to the Boulder County community. Meeting recordings can be found on the BCROC website.
The BCROC will be discussing potential funding approaches for the upcoming year during their remaining monthly meetings in 2025.
|
Naloxone Distribution Survey
In partnership with Boulder County Public Health, we are surveying local organizations to better understand naloxone distribution across the county. Please help us by filling out this form!
|
|
 Boulder County District Attorney’s Office
In late February, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office welcomed our new Harm Reduction Diversion Coordinator (HRDC), a position funded through opioid settlement dollars. The role was created to expand harm reduction services offered to youth and adults engaged in the DA’s Restorative Diversion Program. This approach provides a non-judgmental space for diversion participants to openly discuss their relationship with substances, learn strategies for moderation and safer use, and receive direct referrals to additional supports as needed.
With the addition of the HRDC, we have increased access to free substance use education and screenings and are helping participants better understand the risks associated with their current use. More than 90% of participants who completed diversion in the last six months reported that diversion helped them cut down or be safer about their use of substances. Participants also receive tools to help keep themselves and the community safe, including free Narcan and fentanyl test strips.
These efforts have strengthened access to immediate supports and long-term community resources, to encourage success in achieving our shared goal of reducing recidivism.
|
 Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative
RFW held four listening sessions in English and Spanish, and Victoria reviewed existing research to create a local assessment of community strengths and needs.
Additionally, RFW has had 13 Boulder County businesses, representing 3,050 employees, join the RFW Initiative! Industries include healthcare, educational services, and public administration, among others. We'd like to congratulate the 20th Judicial District Attorney's office, Sister Carmen Community Center and The Steadman Group for completing the certification process.
|
|
Youth Opioid Overdose Prevention
Youth Opioid Overdose Prevention (YOOP) offers interactive and engaging youth-led BVSD approved naloxone and opioid overdose response trainings in English or Spanish to any groups of youth or young adults throughout the county in school or community organizations. Please reach out to youthnaloxone@bouldercounty.gov to schedule a training or for support in accessing naloxone for your organization.
Substance Use Advisory Group
The Boulder County Substance Use Advisory Group (SUAG) is a group of individuals and organizations dedicated to responding to the opioid epidemic and other substance use. Monthly meetings are public, bringing together impacted community members and professionals to work together towards preventing fatal overdoses, destigmatizing substance use disorders, promoting harm reduction, and supporting affected individuals into treatment and recovery.
- Nov. 19: 9:30-11:30
- Dec. 17: 9:30-11:30
|
|
The Phoenix
The Phoenix provides free recovery-focused events.
-
Indoor Climbing at the Boulder Rock Club on Fridays | 7 - 9 p.m.
-
Indoor Climbing at the Boulder Rock Club on Sundays | 4 - 7 p.m.
-
Hike at Mt. Sanitas on Saturdays | 10 a.m. - noon
-
Boxing on Saturdays at The Corner Boxing Club | 4 - 5 p.m.
-
Road Cycling (meets at Amante Coffee Shop) | every other week in Boulder | 9 a.m. - noon
-
Hot Yoga at Sol19 every Sunday | 7 - 8:05 p.m.
-
Oct. 18 and Nov. 15: Yoga + Recovery Workshop at Yoga Pearl | 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Sober A. F. Entertainment
S.A.F.E. hosts sober sections at a variety of sporting and music events.
|
|
|
|
|
