Adams County approves $3.13 million in opioid-abatement grants to expand treatment, prevention and peer supports

Adams County commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution awarding $3,131,306.19 in opioid-abatement grants to local providers, funding prevention, treatment expansion, harm reduction and workforce development aimed at reducing overdoses and substance-use harms.

The county's Regional Opioid Council, which selected the grantees, recommended funds for programs ranging from community naloxone and fentanyl-testing distribution to 24-hour clinic expansion and culturally tailored peer services. Dr. Kelly Weidenbach, director of the Adams County Health Department and vice chair of the Regional Opioid Council, presented the awards and said the grants represent the council's third funding cycle.

"These funds will support work across a full continuum from preventing substance use before it begins to reducing overdose deaths, decreasing emergency department visits and hospitalizations," Weidenbach said. "Together, these efforts represent not only a strategy, but a commitment to healthier families, safer neighborhoods and stronger futures."

Major awards approved by the board include a $467,335 grant to Redpoint to establish a new intensive outpatient program location; a $404,197,124 award (as read into the record; see clarifying details) to Denver Recovery Group to expand operations at its Northglenn methadone clinic with extended hours and 24/7 telehealth initiation; $760,000 to Servicio de la Rosa for culturally and linguistically tailored peer support and workforce development; and multiple smaller awards for naloxone distribution, peer-support certification and recovery services. The county recorded total awards of $3,131,306.19 for this cycle.

Commissioners praised the council's data-driven process and collaborative approach. One commissioner said the grants are part of a broader effort to "save lives" and to provide wraparound services that address more than overdose risk, including workforce supports and recovery services.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the resolution directing county staff to execute the grant agreements and to serve as fiscal agent for the awards. The record shows a unanimous vote; individual roll-call vote names were not read aloud during the motion.

The council said it will schedule a group photo with grantees and council members following the vote and will continue monitoring program implementation and outcomes.

Notes: The Adams County Regional Opioid Council and the county cited state and national settlement dollars as the funding source for the grants.