Boulder County fentanyl deaths up so far in 2025
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Fentanyl deaths in Boulder County are up in the first half of 2025, particularly in connection with methamphetamine use, according to coroner's office data.
Why it matters: A surge in fentanyl- and meth-related deaths threatens to reverse progress in Colorado's opioid fight — and underscores limits of tougher drug penalties.
Driving the news: The Boulder County Coroner's Office released midyear drug overdose data last week, finding they were down overall, but deaths linked to fentanyl and methamphetamine were up.
By the numbers: Fentanyl deaths are up 50%, while methamphetamine deaths are up 47% in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2024. Overdose deaths involving both meth and fentanyl almost tripled over that same time span.
Zoom in: Boulder saw 13 fentanyl overdose deaths and 11 methamphetamine overdoses.
- Eight fentanyl deaths and 10 methamphetamine deaths were recorded in Longmont.
- Gunbarrel, Lafayette and Superior each had one fentanyl overdose death since the start of the year, and there was one methamphetamine death in Gunbarrel.
Threat level: Fentanyl is often used to cut methamphetamine, without the user's knowledge, to make the drug more addictive.
- Boulder County Drug Task Force commander Jason Heathman told Axios Boulder there is no evidence that any deaths could be linked to a specific bad batch of fentanyl.
Between the lines: A state law passed in 2022 elevated possession of 1 to 4 grams of any drug containing fentanyl to a Class 4 drug felony, from a misdemeanor.
- But a recent study by the University of Colorado concluded that increased penalties did not change preexisting patters for opioid overdose deaths in Colorado, Westword reports.
The big picture: If these overdose numbers continue in the second half of 2025, it would buck a trend of drug and fentanyl deaths dropping in recent years.
- Boulder City Council sent a letter in May asking for the county to use its opioid settlement funds for a few large projects rather than smaller efforts.
- Boulder Fire-Rescue recently began leaving Narcan nasal spray kits behind with overdose patients, callers and bystanders.
The bottom line: While drug deaths don't necessarily follow a linear trend, the first-half numbers are likely alarming for local health officials.