Colorado is allocating $3 million from the state’s opioid settlement fund to distribute the overdose-reversal drug naloxone to local organizations, as announced by Attorney General Phil Weiser on Tuesday.
Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that Colorado experienced a 15.6% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year, with a projected total of 1,701 deaths. Notably, deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl saw a 31% decline, attributed to the availability of naloxone (Narcan).
Naloxone, when used correctly, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, playing a crucial role in saving lives.
“Every life lost to an opioid overdose is one too many,” said Weiser. “This funding ensures that a proven tool is accessible to those who need it most, reinforcing our commitment to protecting communities, preventing overdoses, and supporting recovery.”
In Denver, there was also a significant reduction in drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 483 reported deaths in 2024 versus 598 in 2023. However, the city saw an increase in overdose deaths in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will oversee the distribution of the naloxone grant, utilizing funds from national settlements with drug manufacturers and distributors.
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