# Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Rise in Colorado

> Colorado voters face Proposition 132's fentanyl penalties as overdose deaths climb.
- Title: Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Rise in Colorado · The Conversation
- Summary: Colorado voters face Proposition 132's fentanyl penalties as overdose deaths climb. Colorado's fentanyl overdose deaths rose 12% since April 2025 despite…
- Keywords: colorado, fentanyl, overdose deaths, proposition 132, naloxone, buprenorphine, larimer county, methamphetamine, colorado ballot, science, ideas, Overdose
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/fentanyl-is-fueling-overdose-deaths-in-colorado-what-voters-need-to-know-about-proposition-132s-attempt-to-stiffen-penalties-292870
- Author: Joshua Barocas
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: colorado, fentanyl, overdose deaths, proposition 132, naloxone, buprenorphine, larimer county, methamphetamine, colorado ballot, science, ideas
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Colorado's fentanyl overdose deaths rose 12% since April 2025 despite 2022 law reducing overdose deaths by 42% in Larimer County.