From The Conversation · Joshua Barocas · · 1m 30s
Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Rise in Colorado
Colorado voters face Proposition 132's fentanyl penalties as overdose deaths climb.
In brief
Colorado voters face Proposition 132's fentanyl penalties as overdose deaths climb. Colorado's fentanyl overdose deaths rose 12% since April 2025 despite 2022 law reducing overdose deaths by 42% in Larimer County. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Overdose deaths rise in Colorado
Colorado overdose deaths increased 12% since April 2025 while U.S. overdose deaths declined 14%.
Fentanyl emerged in Colorado drug market
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl entered Colorado's drug market around 2018, replacing other drugs as the primary cause of opioid overdoses by 2019.
Proposition 132 aims to stiffen penalties
Proposition 132 would make fentanyl possession a felony, require eight-year prison sentences for distribution, and eliminate reduced penalties.
2022 law increased penalties
Colorado's 2022 Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention Act made possession of 1-4 grams of fentanyl a Level 4 felony punishable by up to 180 days in jail.
2022 law funded naloxone and test strips
The 2022 law directed funding for naloxone and fentanyl test strips to reduce overdose deaths but not evidence-based treatments.
Larimer County overdose deaths fell 42%
Larimer County overdose deaths declined 42% since 2021 through evidence-based interventions including buprenorphine treatment.
Proposition 132 ignores polysubstance use
Proposition 132 targets only fentanyl but 40% of Colorado overdoses involve fentanyl and methamphetamine together.
Overdose deaths continue to rise
Colorado's overdose deaths have continued to climb since the 2022 law despite increased penalties and naloxone distribution.
What to remember
Colorado's fentanyl overdose deaths rose 12% since April 2025 despite 2022 law reducing overdose deaths by 42% in Larimer County.
