Attorney General Weiser expands investment in lifesaving naloxone to $6.5 million

Attorney General Weiser expands investment in lifesaving naloxone to $6.5 million

Oct. 22, 2026 (DENVER) - Attorney General Phil Weiser today announced an additional $3.5 million investment from Colorado's opioid settlement funds to sustain access to naloxone statewide through June 2028. The new funding builds on a $3 million grant awarded in 2025, bringing the Colorado Attorney General's Office's total commitment to $6.5 million.

The funding supports the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund, which provides free naloxone to schools, law enforcement agencies, harm reduction organizations, and other groups serving people at risk of opioid overdose.

"Naloxone saves lives, and no one should lose a loved one to an overdose because this medication wasn't available when they needed it," said Attorney General Weiser. "We have a responsibility to put the money we recovered from the companies that fueled the opioid crisis to work protecting Colorado communities. This additional investment will help ensure that people have access to lifesaving naloxone and a second chance at recovery."

Naloxone is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, including overdoses involving fentanyl. During fiscal year 2025-26, the fund made 364,072 doses available at no cost through 231 eligible agencies across all 64 counties in Colorado. Eight participating agencies voluntarily reported that naloxone distributed through their programs was used to reverse 5,100 overdoses during that period. Because organizations do not require participants to report overdose reversals, the actual number is likely substantially higher.

Opioid overdoses continue to take a toll on Colorado communities. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (opens new tab), 1,175 Coloradans died from opioid overdoses in 2025, including 980 deaths involving fentanyl. The figures underscore the ongoing need for prevention, treatment, and recovery resources, including widespread access to naloxone.

The funding comes from nationwide settlements with drug manufacturers and distributors that Attorney General Weiser helped secure to hold companies accountable for fueling the opioid crisis. Under his leadership, Colorado is on track to receive more than $912 million over 18 years, with $205.7 million received through December 2025.

Under Colorado's opioid settlement framework (PDF), 90% of the funds are allocated to local governments and regional communities to support prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and infrastructure investments. The $6.5 million commitment to the Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund comes from the state's 10% share. The public can track how settlement funds are distributed and spent through the state's comprehensive Colorado Opioid Settlement Dashboard.

To find free naloxone near you, visit Save a Life Colorado (opens new tab).

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Mallory Boyce
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