Colorado Funding Priorities

Overdose prevention funding - Colorado

There were 107,968 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2022 (34.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 1.2% increase from 2021.1

• There were 1,811 overdose deaths in Colorado in 20222
• There were 29.8 overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Colorado in 20222

Overdose prevention programs

• Overdose Data to Action in States
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: $4,307,759

• Overdose Data to Action: LOCAL
  • Denver Department of Public Health and Environment: $1,882,494

• Public Health and Public Safety
  • Overdose Response Strategy: $87,600*

• Research
  • Denver Health and Hospital Authority: $724,359

*average award amount

Examples of how Colorado is working to prevent overdose

Expanded access to overdose related resources

The Denver Department of Public Health created a website for residents to order naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. This effort encouraged the use of fentanyl testing strips and is helping reduce stigma associated with obtaining these resources while enhancing access for rural residents. In 2022 and 2023, residents received over 16,000 naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips.

Community engagement messaging campaign

Denver created a YouTube series to help reduce stigma for those affected by substance use disorder. The videos and messages shared throughout the community include an anti-stigma campaign featuring the lived experiences of community members.

Suicide prevention funding - Colorado

• There were 1,293 suicide deaths in Colorado in 2022
• There were 21.1 suicide deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Colorado in 2022

Suicide prevention programs

• Comprehensive Suicide Prevention
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: $901,139

• Veteran Suicide Prevention
  • Project Sanctuary: $45,000

Colorado's suicide prevention priorities

Colorado is preventing suicide with CDC Injury Center (NCIPC) funding by:A

• Strengthening access and delivery of suicide care
• Creating protective environments
• Promoting connectedness
• Teaching coping and problem-solving skills
• Identifying and supporting people at risk
• Lessening harms and preventing future risk

Some groups have higher rates of suicide than others. To address disparities, Colorado is focusing on:

• 6 counties with high rates of suicide

Examples of how Colorado is working to prevent suicide

Postvention response planning

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment plans to conduct outreach to county mental health centers, behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment and counseling agencies, and county hospitals. This outreach will support the development of postvention (organized response following a suicide) procedures and protocols. This includes development of policies, for the outreach and support of people who have lost a friend or loved one to suicide, as well as clinicians, therapists, and staff who experience a suicide attempt by a client or loss of a client.

Peer engagement

Colorado is supporting peer engagement activities through workplaces, veteran serving organizations, faith communities, and older adult-serving organizations.