Community Access
Can I provide input on spending?
While the state, regions, and local governments are not required to seek public input on the use of opioid settlement funds, there are a variety of pathways to offer feedback on Colorado’s various shares:
60% regional share: Up to each regional council (not required). Some of the regional councils have independently created opportunities for public participation. For example:
The Larimer Regional Opioid Abatement Council (Region 2) invites public feedback via email submissions or during a dedicated public comment period as part of the Council’s monthly meetings.[1] See Upcoming Meeting Information (“To Submit Questions/Comments for the council: Email the council”).
The Gateway to the Rockies Regional Opioid Council (Region 10) has held two conferences open to community stakeholders.
20% local government share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on uses of their shares. However, they may choose to seek such input. Watch for opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as at city council meetings and town halls.
10% state share: Yes (not required). Meetings of the Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee, which advises state share expenditures, often include a public comment period.[2] Note that meetings of this Committee do not occur at regular intervals; check the Committee’s website for upcoming meeting details.
10% infrastructure Share: Yes (not required). Meetings of the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council, which oversees the infrastructure share, typically include a public comment period.[3] Check the COAC’s website for upcoming meeting details.
Colorado’s MOU also requires the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) — which oversees the state’s regional and infrastructure shares — to “operate with all reasonable transparency” and comply with the state’s open records and open meetings laws.[4]
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office and COAC have hosted annual statewide Colorado Opioid Abatement Conferences since 2022. The September 30, 2024 conference will include “collaborative break-out rooms and networking sessions, presentations on best practices for addressing the opioid crisis, the nuts and bolts of opioid settlement funds, and how to leverage state and national resources.”[5]
Can I apply for grants?
Yes. Colorado has previously established opportunities in which community organizations were eligible to apply for state settlement funds. Visit the Colorado Attorney General's webpage for funding opportunities from the 10% state share and the COAC's webpage for current grants from the 10% infrastructure share. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.
Where do I go for updates?
For updates from the Colorado Attorney General’s (AG) Office, including funding opportunities, sign up for this newsletter.[6]
For updates on the regional share, visit the AG’s Regional Funds page. The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council also encourages members of the public to “reach out to Regional Council primary contacts for regional funding opportunities.”[7]
For updates on the local government share, visit the AG’s Local Governments page. Another good starting point is to check the website for your county commission, city council, or local health department.
For updates on the state and infrastructure shares, visit the AG’s State Share and Infrastructure Funds page. The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council also encourages members of the public to sign up for its newsletter to stay updated on infrastructure share opportunities.
What else should I know?
The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) encourages members of the public to “reach out to Regional Council primary contacts for regional funding opportunities.”[8]
The state has also launched a Settlement Distributions Site Feedback Survey to seek the public’s feedback on the AG’s “Colorado’s Opioid Settlement Funds Framework” website.
Citations
The Larimer Regional Opioid Abatement Council’s bylaws specify that at least 24-hours advance notice is provided to the public of Council meetings, “along with instructions for how to participate in or observe the meeting.” The nineteen (19) Regional Councils are free to develop their own intra-regional agreements, bylaws, or other documents to govern their operation. Colorado Opioid Settlements MOU, Sec. F(5)(a). ↑
See, e.g., Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee (OCRF) June 26, 2024 meeting agenda. ↑
See, e.g., Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC) Meeting #16 Agenda (June 5, 2024). Additionally, the COAC’s three sub-committees (Administrative, Review, and Assistance) also hold regular meetings and upcoming agendas for these committees as of publication show a dedicated public comment period. ↑
Colorado Opioid Settlements MOU, Sec. C(4)(c). The Colorado Open Meetings Law does not require the opportunity for public comment. You can learn more about Colorado’s Sunshine Laws from the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition. ↑
2024 Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference. Colorado Attorney General website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee (see “Upcoming Meetings”). Colorado Attorney General website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“Register for the opioid response newsletter to receive all updates on the Colorado Attorney General’s efforts to combat the national opioid epidemic, including all state opioid settlement funding opportunity announcements”). ↑
Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (“Regional council funding”). Colorado Attorney General website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
See Colorado Opioid Abatement Council. Colorado Attorney General website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑
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