Mesa County Opioid Governance Council: Colorado Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Grant Application Opens

The Mesa County Regional Opioid Governance Council is seeking proposals for
settlement fund grants focused on recovery, treatment, and prevention & education efforts. Organizations interested in applying for Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds through Mesa County may find the application at https://uwmesacountygrants.grantplatform.com.

The application will open on Monday, July 24, at 8 a.m., and completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2023.

"Mesa County has many existing strengths for addressing the opioid epidemic and substance use, but there are evidence-based interventions and supports that this funding will enable our county to access and implement," said Ryan Jackman, MD, Medical Director, St. Mary's Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic and co-chair of Mesa County's Regional Opioid Governance Board. "It also allows our county the opportunity to innovate and pivot when needed to create local solutions to leverage our strengths and meet unique challenges."

Proposals will be partially evaluated on the potential impact on the region's goals and objectives, on the organization's plan to support the region's diverse needs, feasibility, and outcomes and evaluation. United Way of Mesa County will be acting as the grant administrator for these funds.

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 — Mesa County has not been spared. Mesa County Public Health reported 47 opioid-related deaths and 109 overdose deaths with any substance between 2019 and 2021. Over seventy percent of overdose deaths involve an opioid, and many of the opioids involved in overdose deaths are prescription medications.

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. Mesa County received a portion of the Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds in late 2022 and released $710,000 from the Colorado Opioid Crisis Recovery Fund Settlement to five local agencies during the first two-year grant cycle. With another round of funding coming soon, Mesa County is opening its second grant opportunity for local organizations.

Questions may be directed to Keira Auld with United Way of Mesa County at 970-243-5364 or impact@uwmesacounty.org.