ESTABLISHING THE COLORADO REGULATED DEPENDENCY MANAGEMENT, HARM REDUCTION, AND RECOVERY INITIATIVE

 EXECUTIVE ORDER D 2027

STATE OF COLORADO

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

ESTABLISHING THE COLORADO REGULATED DEPENDENCY MANAGEMENT, HARM REDUCTION, AND RECOVERY INITIATIVE

WHEREAS, substance dependency remains a significant public health and public safety challenge affecting individuals, families, communities, and businesses throughout the State of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, overdose fatalities, contaminated illicit narcotics, criminal trafficking organizations, and repeated cycles of arrest and incarceration have imposed substantial human and financial costs upon the citizens of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, addiction is frequently associated with trauma, behavioral health challenges, impaired self-regulation, stress-related disorders, and other factors requiring comprehensive treatment and long-term support; and

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado has a compelling interest in reducing overdose deaths, improving treatment access, promoting accountability, reducing criminal activity associated with illicit narcotics, and directing law-enforcement resources toward violent crime and threats to public safety; and

WHEREAS, evidence-based harm reduction strategies, counseling, education, medical supervision, and recovery services may improve public health outcomes while reducing societal costs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, the Governor of the State of Colorado, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado, do hereby order and direct:

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Executive Order is to establish a statewide framework for the development of a Regulated Dependency Management and Recovery Program intended to:

A. Reduce overdose fatalities;

B. Eliminate exposure to contaminated and adulterated street narcotics;

C. Reduce criminal activity associated with illicit drug trafficking;

D. Improve access to counseling, treatment, and recovery services;

E. Promote personal accountability and long-term recovery;

F. Reduce recidivism among nonviolent substance-dependent individuals; and

G. Improve allocation of law-enforcement and judicial resources.

SECTION 2. DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATED DEPENDENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Colorado Attorney General, and other appropriate agencies, shall develop recommendations for a medically supervised dependency-management system.

The recommendations shall evaluate:

1. Physician-directed eligibility requirements;
   
   

2. Medical evaluations and diagnostic standards;
   
   

3. Toxicology screening requirements;
   
   

4. Mandatory pharmacology and substance-risk education;
   
   

5. Weekly counseling and behavioral-health participation;
   
   

6. Recovery planning and treatment pathways;
   
   

7. Program monitoring, compliance, and auditing procedures;
   
   

8. Security and diversion-prevention measures;
   
   

9. Data collection and outcome measurement systems;
   
   

10. Licensing standards for participating medical facilities and providers.
    
    

SECTION 3. PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS

Any proposed program shall require participating individuals to:

A. Obtain certification from a licensed physician;

B. Complete mandatory addiction education courses;

C. Participate in regular counseling sessions;

D. Submit to periodic toxicology screening;

E. Comply with treatment plans established by medical professionals;

F. Participate in recovery-oriented services whenever medically appropriate; and

G. Maintain compliance with all applicable state regulations.

SECTION 4. HARM REDUCTION OBJECTIVES

The proposed framework shall prioritize:

A. Reduction of overdose deaths;

B. Prevention of exposure to contaminated illicit substances;

C. Reduction of criminal-market demand;

D. Increased access to healthcare services;

E. Reduction in emergency medical interventions;

F. Improved public safety outcomes;

G. Long-term recovery and rehabilitation opportunities.

SECTION 5. LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES

State agencies shall evaluate opportunities to focus enforcement resources on:

A. Violent criminal organizations;

B. Human trafficking operations;

C. Drug trafficking enterprises;

D. Distribution of contaminated and counterfeit narcotics;

E. Organized criminal activity threatening public safety.

SECTION 6. LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Within 180 days, participating agencies shall submit recommendations to the Governor and the Colorado General Assembly concerning:

A. Necessary statutory changes;

B. Regulatory frameworks;

C. Program funding mechanisms;

D. Public-health safeguards;

E. Constitutional and federal legal considerations;

F. Performance metrics and accountability standards.

SECTION 7. ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC REPORTING

An annual public report shall be prepared detailing:

A. Overdose trends;

B. Treatment participation rates;

C. Recovery outcomes;

D. Public safety impacts;

E. Fiscal impacts;

F. Recommendations for improvement.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon signature.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado this 11th Day of January, 2027.

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GOVERNOR OF COLORADO