Fall 2025 Newsletter

2025 Epidemiological Profiles (Coming Soon)
SEOW

Stay tuned for the upcoming release of the 2025 Epidemiological Profiles from the Colorado SEOW.

Published every other year, these statewide profiles provide data on substance use across Colorado to support professionals in behavioral health, public health, public safety, and public policy. The 2025 profiles will include updated data on seven key topics: Demographics, Mental Health, Alcohol, Cannabis, Opioids, Stimulants, and Tobacco.

New this year is the Youth Profile, developed in partnership with a youth organization to elevate youth voices in public health. This youth-informed publication highlights patterns in substance use among young people, related consequences, and key risk and protective factors to help guide statewide efforts.

An email announcement will be sent out once the profiles are available on the SEOW website. 

SEOW Epi Profile Session
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
CU Anschutz Health Sciences Building - Donald M. Elliman Conference Center, 2nd Floor
1890 N. Revere Court, Aurora, CO 80045
Or participate via Zoom

Join us at the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s annual meeting for a session featuring key findings from the SEOW’s 2025 Opioids and Stimulants Epidemiological Profiles. The presentation will highlight notable data points, their sources, and how these profiles can support prevention and treatment efforts across Colorado.

Presenter: Lauren Gant, MA, Senior Evaluation Specialist, CU Denver Evaluation Center 

Time: To be announced

This session is part of the 13th Annual Meeting of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information and to register for the in-person or virtual general and breakout sessions, visit the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention's website.

SEOW Epi Profile Session
Friday, November 7, 2025
Virtual Only via Zoom

The SEOW will present at the upcoming Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force meeting, sharing emerging substance use trends from its latest 2025 Epidemiological Profiles.

Presenter: Lauren Gant, MA, Senior Evaluation Specialist, CU Denver Evaluation Center 

Time: 11:05 a.m.

For more information and to join via Zoom, visit the Substance Abuse Trend and Response Task Force’s website.

SEOW Presentation
Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Join the SEOW at the Colorado Drug Information Opportunity Symposium, hosted by the Colorado Overdose Response Strategy Team at the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), for a session introducing the SEOW. This presentation will provide an overview of what SEOW is, what it does, and highlight key publications that support data-informed prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and public safety efforts across Colorado.

Presenters: Maura Proser, DrPH, MPH, Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Manager, CDPHE; Angela Castillo, MA, Evaluation Specialist, CU Denver Evaluation Center; Emily Hecker, MA, Senior Evaluation Specialist, CU Denver Evaluation Center 

Time: 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m.

For more information and to register for the in-person or virtual options, visit Rocky Mountain HIDTA’s website.

Free Virtual Prevention Summit

October 29, 2025, 8:30am-5:00pm

On October 29, the 2025 HIDTA Prevention Summit will bring together prevention professionals and trusted adults for a free virtual event focused on youth engagement and well-being. Attendees will explore strategies to build protective factors and prevent harmful behaviors, with up to 6.5 continuing education hours available.

Learn more and register on HIDTA’s website.

Youth Suicide Rate in Colorado Reaches Lowest Since 2007
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

In 2024, Colorado’s youth suicide rate for ages 10 to 18 dropped to 5.85 deaths per 100,000, the lowest recorded since 2007. This is a significant improvement from the peak in 2020, when the rate was 12.91 and 87 young people died by suicide. In 2024, that number fell to 39.

State officials credit this progress to evidence-based programs and strong partnerships focused on prevention and support. Initiatives like Sources of Strength, the Second Wind Fund, and I Matter Colorado have helped expand access to mental health services and build protective connections for youth. Anyone in crisis is encouraged to call or text 988 for support.

View the news release for detailed findings.

Natural Medicine and Driving
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

As Colorado expands access to natural psychedelic therapies through new laws and licensed healing centers, CDOT is launching a public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks of driving under the influence of natural medicines such as psilocybin and DMT. While these substances are decriminalized for personal use, driving while impaired remains illegal and dangerous.

The campaign emphasizes that effects can last up to 24 hours and that combining substances increases the risk. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, stay sober, and avoid getting behind the wheel after using any impairing substance.

For more information, visit CDOT’s website.

Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Stimulants — United States, January 2018-June 2024

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

A CDC report released in August 2025 shows that from January 2021 to June 2024, 59% of U.S. overdose deaths involved stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine. Most of these deaths also involved opioids. Deaths involving stimulants alone were more common among older adults and those with cardiovascular disease. The largest increases from 2018 to 2023 were among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native and non-Hispanic Black individuals. The report calls for expanded access to treatment and improved opioid-focused outreach efforts.

Read the full report on CDC’s website.

2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Released
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA released the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) this past July, offering updated insights into behavioral health across the U.S. The report shows that 23.4% of adults experienced any mental illness in the past year, and 16.8% of people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder.

This year’s NSDUH is the first since 2020 to include four years of comparable data, allowing for clearer trend analysis. The findings support ongoing efforts in prevention, early intervention, and recovery support.

To view the full report and companion briefs, visit SAMHSA’s website.

2025 Kids Count
Colorado Children's Campaign

Released in May, the 2025 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report provides the latest data on child well-being across the state, covering economic security, health, early childhood, and education. Five years after the pandemic, the report highlights encouraging trends in youth mental health, school attendance, and graduation rates.

At the same time, it notes ongoing challenges, including high living costs for families and continued struggles in student performance in reading and math. The report includes policy recommendations aimed at creating a more equitable and effective future for Colorado’s children and families.

Read the full report on the Colorado Children’s Campaign website.