A deadly wave continues to rise — and it’s hitting closer to home than ever before.
Colorado is facing a public health emergency that continues to escalate despite national trends showing signs of hope. While the United States saw a 24% drop in drug overdose deaths from October 2023 to September 2024, Colorado’s fentanyl-related fatalities remain disturbingly high, showing that the crisis here is far from over.
From the mountain towns to the heart of Denver, fentanyl overdoses are devastating communities, overwhelming first responders, and leaving families broken. Understanding the scope, the science, and the solutions is critical if we’re going to protect our loved ones and reclaim our future.
Colorado’s Fentanyl Overdose Surge: By the Numbers
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and recent reporting from the Common Sense Institute, Colorado overdose deaths almost doubled from 2018 to 2023, rising from 1,004 to 1,957. But the most alarming spike is in synthetic opioid deaths:
- Fentanyl-involved deaths jumped over 800%, from 130 in 2018 to 1,213 in 2023.
- Fentanyl now accounts for more than 60% of all drug-related deaths in Colorado.
- In just one year (2022 to 2023), fentanyl-related fatalities increased 34%, while other opioid categories remained flat or declined.
These aren’t just numbers — they represent real people: students, parents, veterans, professionals, and even teenagers who never intended to take a deadly substance.
Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. What makes it especially lethal is how it’s being distributed.
Most fentanyl-related deaths in Colorado are not due to prescribed use. Instead, illicit fentanyl is being mixed into street drugs like fake prescription pills, cocaine, MDMA, and even marijuana edibles — often without the user’s knowledge.
Common Myths
- “You can’t overdose from touching fentanyl.”
TRUE – You need to ingest or inhale it. - “Only people that are addicted are at risk.”
FALSE – First-time users and casual experimenters are dying too. - “I would know if it had fentanyl in it.”
FALSE – Fentanyl has no taste or smell and is undetectable without test strips.
New Potent Variants: A Crisis Within the Crisis
The DEA and CDC have both issued warnings about increasingly potent fentanyl analogs entering Colorado. These include:
- Carfentanil (used to sedate elephants): up to 100x stronger than fentanyl.
- Nitazenes: a new class of synthetic opioids 10–40x more potent than fentanyl.
- Fluorofentanyl: appearing more frequently in Colorado toxicology reports.
In 2024, the DEA reported that 7 out of 10 pills seized in Colorado contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl — up from 4 out of 10 in 2021.
The Neurobiology of a Fentanyl Overdose
When fentanyl enters the bloodstream, it floods the brain’s opioid receptors, particularly those that control pain and respiration. Unlike natural opioids, fentanyl binds more quickly and stays longer, which can suppress breathing to a fatal level in minutes.
Unlike heroin or oxycodone, fentanyl:
- Takes effect in seconds.
- Requires higher doses of naloxone (Narcan) to reverse.
- Often results in sudden death, with no time for emergency services.
Real Lives, Real Losses: Stories from the Frontlines
- In Colorado Springs, a high school junior died after taking a single pill he thought was Percocet.
- In Boulder County, first responders revived four individuals in one week with repeated doses of naloxone, some requiring 4–5 sprays to stabilize.
- In rural areas, coroners are seeing record fentanyl death reports for 2024, with younger age groups most affected.
This epidemic doesn’t discriminate by race, income, or zip code — it affects everyone.
Current Solutions — Are They Enough?
What’s Working:
- Naloxone (Narcan) is being distributed more widely through pharmacies, schools, and community programs.
- Fentanyl test strips are legal in Colorado and available through many harm-reduction organizations.
- Statewide awareness campaigns have launched to warn about the dangers of counterfeit pills.
What’s Missing:
- Limited detox centers that can medically treat fentanyl withdrawal.
- Lack of standardized testing for new analogs like nitazenes.
- No national regulation forcing social media and online dealers to crack down on distribution.
Medical Detox: The First Step Toward Survival
Most people cannot safely detox from fentanyl alone. The withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Sky-high blood pressure
- Severe anxiety and panic
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
- Insomnia and suicidal ideation
A medically assisted detox in a hospital is often the only safe way to stop using fentanyl. Many Colorado residents travel out of state because adequate rapid detox services aren’t available locally.
How You Can Help: A Community Response
- Talk about it. Start conversations with your kids, friends, and loved ones.
- Carry Narcan. It’s available without a prescription in most Colorado pharmacies.
- Advocate for safe detox access. Push for legislation that funds medically supported treatment, not just maintenance programs.
- Support organizations like the Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC) or CDPHE’s overdose prevention campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the leading cause of overdose deaths in Colorado?
Fentanyl is currently the primary driver of overdose deaths in Colorado, responsible for more than 60% of all drug-related fatalities.
How many people died from fentanyl in Colorado last year?
According to CDPHE, 1,213 Coloradans died from fentanyl-related overdoses in 2023 alone.
Can cocaine be laced with fentanyl without knowing?
Yes. Many people die from using drugs like cocaine or ecstasy that were unknowingly mixed with fentanyl.
Where can I get Narcan in Colorado?
Narcan is available over the counter at most major pharmacies or through harm reduction organizations statewide.
Conclusion: Colorado Must Act — And So Must We
Fentanyl is not just a drug problem — it is a public health and humanitarian crisis. Colorado is at a crossroads, and every day we delay, more lives are lost.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about parents burying their children. It’s about people dying in silence, alone. And it’s about whether we are willing to come together to save lives.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid use, help exists. It may require travel. It may not be easy. But your life is worth the effort.
Sources:
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Common Sense Institute
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Rocky Mountain Field Division
- NPR – Misinformation about fentanyl
- Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
- Colorado Attorney General – Opioid Response
- Colorado Sun – Fentanyl Deaths
- Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition – Fentanyl in Colorado (PDF)
- Colorado School of Mines – Fentanyl Poisoning & Overdose Prevention
