Frequently Asked Questions

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Fatal overdoses have been consistently increasing across the nation. In 2021 alone, we lost 1,881 Coloradans to drug overdose. This equates to an age-adjusted rate of 31.7 deaths per 100,000 residents. Region 10 consists of Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties. Age adjusted overdose rates in Region 10 are similar to those we see across the state, at 32.9 deaths per 100,000 residents. This rate equates to over 190 overdose deaths, 143 of which involved opioids, experienced by our region in just one year.

For more information on drug overdoses click here.

The State of Colorado is set to receive over $500 million dollars over the next 18 years thanks to several historic settlements with both drug manufacturers and distributors, such as Johnson and Johnson and Purdue Pharma. The funds will be utilized to address the opioid crisis by expanding treatment, recovery, prevention, criminal justice, and harm reduction programs. 

Attorney General, Phil Weiser, released a joint framework for the state on how to distribute and utilize these funds, with three core principles in mind: 

1. Maximize settlement funds for Colorado communities.
2. Utilize existing infrastructure to the fullest extent possible. 
3. Ensure that regions who are hardest hit by the opioid crisis receive adequate funding. 

These principles are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the legal document which outlines the joint framework, and provides guidance for the distribution of funds across the 19 regions, local municipalities, and the state. The MOU also provides recommendations on how funds should be utilized and describes reporting requirements for the funded programs. 

For more information on the plan, click here.

The State Abatement Council, commonly referred to as the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) will be responsible for grant program oversight and MOU implementation. This council was created by the Colorado Department of Law, in conjunction with local governments to ensure that regional distribution of settlement funds is in compliance with the terms of the settlements and the MOU. The council consists of seven members elected by the state and six elected by local governments. They will work with the 19 regions to provide oversight into how the regional share is distributed, and develop processes and procedures for the statewide infrastructure share. 

For more information click here.

Funds will be distributed across 19 regions, local governments, the state, and infrastructure needs. The breakdown of funds is as follows: 

• State Receives Settlement Money: 
  • 10% goes to the state.
  • 20% goes to local governments. 
  • 60% goes to regions.
  • 10% goes to infrastructure funds.

A map of the regions receiving funds can be found here. 

Funds can be spent from one of the following 5 categories: Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Criminal Justice. A brief explanation of each category can be found below.

• Prevention: Educate and support individuals and communities to prevent the use and misuse of drugs and the development of substance-use disorders. There are 3 separate types: 
  • Primary: Prevent the problem before it occurs. 
  • Secondary: Detect an issue early and stop it from progressing. 
  • Tertiary (Harm Reduction): Improve outcomes from existing issues, minimize negative impacts and harm. 

• Treatment: Billable services performed by licensed or certified clinical, medical professionals. 

• Recovery: A process of change for which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. There are four major dimensions that support recovery: Home, Health, Purpose and Community. 
  • Most important aspect of recovery: It is defined by the individual! 
  • Involve those in recovery in meaningful ways! 

• Harm Reduction: Strategies aimed at reducing negative consequences of drug-use. 
  • Prioritizes meeting people where they are at with their use. 

• Criminal Justice: Can incorporate all elements. Examples include: 
  • Training criminal justice professionals on how to support those with substance-use and mental health conditions. 
  • Embedding peer support professionals in the criminal justice system to facilitate effective reentry programs. 

View the Memorandum of Understanding Summary or click here for general information.

The Regional Council determines how each region will spend their 60% allocation of the settlement dollars, over the next 18 years. The criteria for the Opioid Regional Councils are as follows: 

• The committee must be established 180 days after the effective date (September 2022). 
• The committee can establish intra-regional agreements on how council will operate 
• Voting members of the committee must be an employee or elected official of a participating local government. 
• Establishment of the committee must be certified by the State Abatement Council 
• The committee must provide annual reporting to the State Abatement Council on expenditure data. 
• The committee must build a two year plan to identify approved purposes for funds. 
• The committee must hold open meetings to the public. 

• Region 10, also known as the Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council (GROC), is made up of Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties. All local municipalities in Region 10 include: Lakeside, Mountain View, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Westminster, Arvada, Morrison, Georgetown, Silver Plume, Central City, Idaho Springs, Golden, Empire, Littleton, Bow Mar, and Black Hawk.
• Jefferson County is the fiscal agent for Region 10 and will manage the distribution of funding. 
• The Gateway to the Rockies Opioid Council created an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), for which 10 of the 20 municipalities have signed. The IGA outlines the composition and membership of the regional council.

• Roles and Responsibilities: 
  • To determine broadly the allocation of regional settlement funds to prevention, treatment, recovery, criminal justice, and harm reduction activities
  • Ensure your county/org is participating in items related to the settlement, but outside the scope of meetings. 
    • IGA 
    • Opt-in/Opt-out process 
  • Attend and participate in committee meetings 
  • Help develop RFP’s for executing prioritized solutions 
  • Bring expertise and experience on to the discussion to inform the 2 year plans 
    • Community 
    • Content 
  • Help evaluate proposals and select organizations to implement prioritized solutions 

Council Development

• Certify council membership COMPLETED (View membership page)
• Draft and adopt Bylaws, IGAs or other governing documents (optional)
• Appoint Fiscal Agent (local government only) COMPLETED (Jefferson County will serve as Fiscal Agent)

2-Year Plan (FIRST ITERATION COMPLETE)

•  Coordinate with local and regional providers
• Identify potential partnerships with neighboring regions
• Utilize knowledge base and existing resources within the State and the region
• Identify other complimentary funding streams 
• Leverage ARPA funded programs 
• Submit the Regional 2-Year Plan (COMPLETED 11/2, APPROVED 11/14)

March 31, 2022: 

• Effective Date - Regional Councils must certify membership within 180 days from 3/31/2022

Q2 2022

• Database will open for Regional Councils to enter their 2-Year Plans
• Participating local governments may choose to opt-out of direct Local Government Share payments and redirect their share to their Regional Council(s).

July 15, 2022

• Payments made by J&J and Drug Distributors

Q3 2022

• First year allocations sent to the Regional Council fiscal agents with submitted and approved 2-year plans.

Q3 2023

• Expenditure Reports due