Colorado Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Grant Application To Open
Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council is seeking proposals for programs that address prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and criminal justice
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Gunnison, Colo. — The opioid epidemic continues to devastate individuals, families, and communities throughout Colorado. Close to 6,000 deaths due to opioid overdoses were reported in the past 10 years in the state, yet only a third of the needed drug treatment capacity is in place to address the problem.
In 2022, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and the Colorado Department of Law announced a historic settlement with major drug manufacturers that resulted in $400 million in opioid settlement dollars for the state. The Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council (SWCORC) is comprised of representatives from Gunnison, Delta, Hinsdale, Montrose, San Miguel, and Ouray counties. The goal of SWCORC is to galvanize a cross-sector, regional approach to prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance use disorder and ensuring our communities impacted by substance use disorder are resourced, connected, and have pathways to healthy lives.
The Council is seeking proposals for programs to leverage the opioid settlement funding to expand services across the region. A review committee comprised of designated members from SWCORC will review applications and award contracts. Successful proposals will focus on prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, or criminal justice and implementation should be centrally deployed, regionally coordinated, and locally implemented.
The total amount of funds awarded will vary depending on the number and quality of applicants, but the Council has budgeted $1,000,000 for this round. Grants will be two-year commitments from SWCORC.
Organizations interested in applying for Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds through SWCORC may find the application at https://uwmesacountygrants.grantplatform.com. The application will open on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on December 4, 2023.
Questions may be directed to Cassidy Lujan with United Way of Mesa County at 970-243-5364 or impact@uwmesacounty.org.