Colorado Fentanyl & Overdose Statistics (2026)

Reliable numbers matter — for families trying to understand the risk, for journalists and advocates, and for anyone working to turn the crisis around. Below is a plain-language overview of the most important fentanyl and overdose statistics for Colorado, drawn from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every figure is sourced; full citations are at the bottom.

2023 is the most recent year of CDPHE fentanyl data cited here (preliminary). 2024 figures are provisional and may be revised.

How many people die of fentanyl in Colorado?

In 2023, Colorado recorded 1,089 fentanyl-related deaths, according to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment — up 18.4% from 920 the year before. That continued one of the steepest climbs in the country: fentanyl deaths in Colorado have risen more than 900% since 2018, when just 102 were recorded. Colorado has consistently ranked among the states hardest hit by the fentanyl era.

Which counties are hit hardest?

The crisis touches every region of Colorado, but the Front Range metro counties carry the largest counts. In 2023, Denver County recorded 321 fentanyl-related deaths — more than any other county in the state, according to CDPHE. The surrounding metro counties followed:

Why fentanyl is so deadly

Fentanyl is the engine of Colorado's overdose epidemic, and it is now involved in the majority of the state's opioid overdose deaths — often mixed into counterfeit pills or other drugs without the user's knowledge. For context on why it's so dangerous: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration describes fentanyl as roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. A very small amount can be fatal, and the illicit supply is inconsistent from batch to batch.

Other drugs in the mix

The crisis is increasingly one of drug combinations. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, and the veterinary sedative xylazine ("tranq"), are appearing more often alongside fentanyl in the illicit supply — complicating both overdoses and treatment, since naloxone reverses opioids but not other substances.

The 2024 decline — real, but fragile

One of the most significant developments in years: overdose deaths have begun to fall. Provisional national data show U.S. overdose deaths dropped sharply in 2024 — the CDC estimated about 80,391 U.S. overdose deaths in 2024, down 26.9% from 110,037 in 2023 — and Colorado is part of that downward trend. Public-health officials caution the figures are provisional and that progress can reverse.

Researchers are still studying the causes. Commonly cited factors include far wider distribution of naloxone (Narcan), expanded access to treatment and medication-assisted treatment, changes in the drug supply, and harm-reduction efforts. Importantly, public-health officials caution that the numbers are provisional and that progress can reverse — which is exactly why continued access to detox, treatment, and naloxone matters.

What the numbers mean for getting help

Two takeaways stand out. First, because fentanyl is in so much of the supply, no illicit drug use is "safe" — which is why naloxone and fentanyl test strips matter for anyone using. Second, the decline proves that treatment and harm reduction save lives. If you're considering detox, see our guide to levels of care and medication-assisted treatment in Colorado, or reach out for free, confidential help finding care near you.

Sources & citations

This page is provided for informational and educational purposes. Figures reflect the most recent data available at the time of writing; finalized counts for recent years may be revised by CDPHE and the CDC. You're welcome to cite this page with a link to ColoradoFentanylDetox.com.