Colorado Drug and Alcohol Statistics - World Forum for Mental Health

Statistical Data on Drugs in Colorado

Colorado faces significant substance abuse challenges that exceed national averages across multiple categories. The state has consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for drug use rates, particularly among youth and young adults. With marijuana legalization in 2014, evolving opioid epidemic trends, and rising synthetic drug deaths, Colorado’s substance use landscape presents complex public health concerns. This comprehensive statistical overview draws exclusively from documented data to present the scope of drug abuse, treatment access, and mortality rates across the state.

Overall Drug Overdose Statistics

1,079 overdose deaths per year
2.80% of all deaths are from drug overdose
18.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (13.04% below national average)
1.58% of nationwide overdose deaths occur in Colorado
At least 1,881 Coloradans were killed by drug overdoses in 2021

Colorado Drug Overdose Statistics

While Colorado’s death rate was historically below the national average, the state has experienced dramatic increases in overdose mortality, with deaths nearly doubling between 2018 and 2021.

Drug Overdose Death Rate Trends

Year	Deaths per 100,000	Notable Changes
2002	9.7	Baseline
2010	13.4	Exceeded national rate (12.9)
2011	16.1	–
2014	16.3	Higher than national average (14.7)
2015	15.4	–
2018	16.5	–
2020	24.9	62% increase from 2015
2021	31.4	Nearly doubled from 2018

The overdose death rate climbed steadily for two decades but accelerated dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opioid Overdose Deaths Statistics

564 opioid overdose deaths per year
1,289 opioid overdose deaths in 2021 (68% of all drug overdoses)
987 opioid overdose deaths in 2020 (65.3% of all drug overdoses)
9.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (34.9% below national rate in earlier period)

Opioids remain the primary driver of overdose deaths in Colorado.

Opioid Overdose Death Rate Trends

Year	Colorado Rate	U.S. Rate	Percentage of All Overdoses
2000	–	–	48% (U.S.)
2011	8.0	7.3	~49% (Colorado)
2020	13.6	–	–
2021	21.7	24.7	~69% (Colorado), 75% (U.S.)

Colorado’s opioid death rate increased 171% from 2011 to 2021, tracking closely with national trends.

Prescription Opioid vs. Synthetic Opioid Deaths (2021)

Breakdown by Opioid Type

Prescription opioid involvement: 47.5% of opioid deaths
Heroin involvement: 41.3% of deaths
Synthetic opioid involvement: 23.8% of deaths
Opioids as factor in all overdoses: 56.7%

Prescription Opioid Trends

2020: 4.2 deaths per 100,000 (excluding fentanyl)
2021: 4.7 deaths per 100,000 (excluding fentanyl)
2021 (including fentanyl): 19.7 deaths per 100,000 (up from 13.6 in 2020)

When fentanyl is excluded, prescription opioid deaths remained relatively stable. However, the fentanyl death rate nearly doubled in a single year (2020-2021), indicating that illicit synthetic opioids—not prescription medications—are driving the current crisis.

Psychostimulant and Cocaine Deaths (2019-2021)

Psychostimulants

2019: 8.9 deaths per 100,000
2021: 12.5 deaths per 100,000 (40% increase)

Cocaine

2020: 3.6 deaths per 100,000
2021: 4.6 deaths per 100,000 (28% increase)

The rise in cocaine and psychostimulant deaths from 2019-2021 reflects the dangerous trend of fentanyl contamination in non-opioid drugs. Users unknowingly consuming fentanyl-laced stimulants face heightened overdose risk.

Youth Drug Use Statistics (Ages 12-17)

Overall Drug Use

Teenagers are 37.40% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than average American teen
50,000 (11.45%) report using drugs in the last month
10.1% (44,000 youth) used illicit drugs in past month (2017-2019)
12.2% reported past-month illegal drug use (2019)
8.9% used illicit drugs in past month

Colorado Youth Drug Use Statistics

First-Time Use (2017-2019)

5.9% (26,000) used marijuana for first time
4.6% (20,000) used cigarettes for first time — higher than regional (3.2%) and national (2.3%) averages
10.2% (44,000) used alcohol for first time

Colorado youth are significantly more likely to use drugs than the national average. The high rate of first-time cigarette use is particularly concerning and suggests tobacco prevention programs are underperforming relative to other states.

Youth Substance Use Disorders

11.27% (50,000 youth) had substance use disorder in past year (2021-2022)
8.38% (37,000 youth) had drug use disorder (2021-2022)
4.58% met criteria for illicit drug use disorder (IDUD) in past year
4.7% reported having illicit drug use disorder in past year (pre-pandemic)
1.03% (5,000 youth) had pain reliever use disorder (2021-2022)
1.01% (4,000 youth) had opioid use disorder (2021-2022)

Nearly one in nine Colorado teens has a substance use disorder, with illicit drug disorders far exceeding alcohol disorders.

Young Adult Drug Use Statistics (Ages 18-25)

286,000 (35.10%) used drugs in the last month (2021-2022). 36.41% more likely to use drugs than average American in same age group
2.75% (17,000) misused prescription pain relievers in past year (2021-2022)
2.94% (18,000) misused opioids in past year (2021-2022)

More than one in three young adults used drugs in the past month, making this the highest-use demographic.

Young Adults Substance Use Disorders

32.13% (193,000 young adults) had substance use disorder in past year (2021-2022)
23.5% (138,000 young adults) had substance use disorder (2017-2019) — higher than regional (17.7%) and national (14.7%) averages
22.42% (135,000 young adults) had drug use disorder (2021-2022)
14.1% (83,000 young adults) had illicit drug use disorder (2017-2019) — higher than regional (9.7%) and national (7.5%) averages
0.98% (6,000 young adults) had pain reliever use disorder (2021-2022)
1.02% (6,000 young adults) had opioid use disorder (2021-2022)

Nearly one in three young adults in Colorado has a substance use disorder. This age group shows the highest disorder rates of any demographic, with illicit drug disorders dramatically exceeding rates in other age groups.

Adult Drug Use Statistics (Ages 26+)

19.98% (780,000) used illicit drugs in past month (2021-2022)
3.40% (133,000) misused prescription pain relievers in past year (2021-2022)
3.28% (128,000) misused opioids in past year (2021-2022)

While lower than young adult rates, nearly one in five adults aged 26+ used illicit drugs in the past month, representing three-quarters of a million Coloradans. The higher rates of prescription pain reliever and opioid misuse in this age group may reflect greater healthcare system contact and prescription access.

Adults Substance Use Disorders

21.68% (847,000 adults) had substance use disorder in past year (2021-2022)
10.33% (404,000 adults) had drug use disorder (2021-2022)
5.0% reported having illicit drug use disorder in past year (pre-pandemic)
1.76% (69,000 adults) had pain reliever use disorder (2021-2022)
1.87% (73,000 adults) had opioid use disorder (2021-2022)

While lower than young adult rates, over one in five Colorado adults aged 26+ has a substance use disorder, representing hundreds of thousands of people in need of treatment.

Gender-Specific Statistics

Men (Ages 12+)

12.3% reported past-month illegal drug use (2019)
10.3% had alcohol use disorder in past year
4.2% had illicit drug use disorder in past year

Women (Ages 12+)

9.5% reported past-month illegal drug use (2019)
7.5% had alcohol use disorder in past year
2.8% had illicit drug use disorder in past year
Estimated up to 5,000 women need addiction treatment at any given time

Men show approximately 30% higher rates of past-month illegal drug use and 50% higher rates of illicit drug use disorder. However, the estimate of 5,000 women needing treatment suggests significant unmet need in this population.

Marijuana Use Statistics

Overall Population (Ages 12+)

27.5% (1.3 million people) used marijuana in past year (2017-2019) — higher than regional (19.9%) and national (16.2%) averages
26.56% (1,315,000 people) used marijuana in past year (2021-2022)
19.32% (956,000 people) used marijuana in past month (2021-2022)

Youth (Ages 12-17)

8.5% (37,000 youth) used marijuana in past month (2017-2019) — similar to regional (6.8%) and national (6.8%) averages
6.80% (30,000 youth) used marijuana in past month (2021-2022)
14.55% (64,000 youth) used marijuana in past year (2021-2022)
17.40% of 12-17 year-olds reported marijuana use in past year
84.00% of youth drug users report using marijuana in the last month

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

51.2% (301,000 young adults) used marijuana in past year (2017-2019) — higher than regional (38.8%) and national (35.0%) averages
47.42% (285,000 young adults) used marijuana in past year (2021-2022)
34.67% (209,000 young adults) used marijuana in past month (2021-2022)
26.5% of 18-25 year-olds used marijuana (2015 data)

First-Time Use

3.76% (71,000 people) aged 12+ used marijuana for first time in past year (2021-2022)
5.9% (26,000 youth) aged 12-17 used marijuana for first time (2017-2019) — similar to regional (4.8%) and national (5.2%) averages

Colorado shows dramatically elevated marijuana use among young adults (51.2% vs. 35.0% nationally) following legalization. Youth rates remain closer to national averages, though youth who use drugs overwhelmingly choose marijuana. The high first-time use rates among adolescents indicate continued initiation despite prevention efforts.

Cocaine Use Statistics

Overall Use

2.79% (138,000 people) aged 12+ used cocaine in past year (2021-2022)
2.66% of people aged 12+ used cocaine in past year (vs. 2.0% nationally)
Around 5.5 million people in the U.S. used cocaine in past year (2019)

Youth (Ages 12-17)

0.69% reported using cocaine in past year
0.38% used cocaine in past year (2020)
0.14% (1,000 youth) used cocaine in past year (2021-2022)

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

7.48% used cocaine in past year (vs. 5.6% nationally)
6.49% (39,000 young adults) used cocaine in past year (2021-2022)

Adults (Ages 26+)

2.18% used cocaine in past year
2.53% (99,000 adults) used cocaine in past year (2021-2022)

Risk Perception

60% of Coloradans aged 12+ perceive great risk in using cocaine once a month (sixth-lowest risk rate in the nation)
59.01% (2,920,000 people) perceived great risk from monthly cocaine use (2021-2022)

Treatment Admissions:

2009-2011: 69-98 people per 100,000 entered treatment for cocaine abuse as primary addiction

Colorado’s young adult cocaine use rate is 33% higher than the national average, and the state ranks sixth-lowest nationally for perceived cocaine risk. This combination of high use and low risk perception is concerning, particularly as cocaine deaths increased 28% from 2020 to 2021.

Methamphetamine Use Statistics

Overall Use

0.9% of Colorado residents reported past-year meth use
0.81% (40,000 people) aged 12+ used methamphetamine in past year (2021-2022)
0.23% of 12-17 year-olds reported using methamphetamines

Treatment Admissions

2012: 3% of treatment admissions for methamphetamines
2016: 6% of treatment admissions for methamphetamines (doubled)
Admission rate increased nearly 30% over a few years

Youth Trends

Youth meth use dropped 40% between 2005-2015
Growing number of adults are using methamphetamine

While youth methamphetamine use declined substantially, adult use increased, with treatment admissions doubling between 2012 and 2016. Methamphetamine became Colorado’s deadliest drug in 2017 before fentanyl took that position in 2020.

Opioid-Related Statistics

Healthcare Impact

0.54% of hospital births are cases of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
Doctors write prescriptions for 45.1% of residents to have one
36,800 hepatitis C cases attributed to intravenous drug use
12,352 HIV/AIDS cases attributed to intravenous drug use

Treatment Admissions

1,955 people entered treatment for opiates other than heroin (2010)
2012: Largest percentage of heroin treatment admissions: ages 25-34 (49.2%), followed by 18-24 (25.6%)

Opioid use creates cascading public health problems beyond overdose deaths, including infectious disease transmission and neonatal complications.

Treatment Admissions and Capacity

Treatment Facilities

460 active rehabilitation centers in Colorado
437 substance abuse treatment facilities with 39,749 individuals enrolled (2010)
330 treatment facilities for 3,200,466 residents aged 18+ (approximately 1 rehab center per 9,700 residents)
229 centers with primary substance abuse focus: 21,263 enrolled (2010)
169 centers with mixed mental health/substance abuse services: 15,567 admitted (2010)
5 facilities offer free drug rehab treatment for all clients

Colorado Drug Treatment Facilities Statistics

Treatment Enrollment

52,388 patients serviced annually by Colorado drug rehabilitation centers
Single-day count (March 2019): 52,388 people enrolled in substance use treatment (increased from 34,793 in 2015)
Single-day count (2013): 42,256 people enrolled

Treatment capacity increased substantially from 2015 to 2019, but with approximately 1.09 million people having substance use disorders in 2021-2022, only about 5% are in treatment at any given time.

Treatment by Service Type

Outpatient Services

51,216 patients enroll in outpatient services annually
3.78% ($87.32 million) of U.S. public total spent on outpatient services in Colorado
Average individual cost: $1,705

Residential (Non-Hospital) Services

1,012 patients enroll in residential services annually
1.1% ($57.09 million) of U.S. public total spent on residential treatment
Average individual cost: $56,413
Colorado ranks 11th cheapest state for residential drug rehabilitation treatment

Treatment Focus (Single-Day Count, March 2019)

34.5% received treatment for drug problem only
30.7% received treatment for alcohol problem only
34.9% received treatment for both drug and alcohol problems

The vast majority of treatment occurs in outpatient settings, likely due to the dramatic cost difference (. The nearly even split between drug-only, alcohol-only, and combined treatment reflects Colorado’s diverse substance use challenges.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Methadone

5,014 people receiving methadone in opioid treatment programs (single-day count, March 2019)
Increased from 1,934 people in 2015 (159% increase)

Buprenorphine

1,672 people receiving buprenorphine in treatment (single-day count, March 2019)
Increased from 256 people in 2015 (553% increase)

Treatment vs. Need

Average of 32,000 Coloradans reported opioid abuse or dependence annually (2011-2016)
Only 4,000 received opioid treatment at specialty facilities (about 1 in 5, or 20%)

While medication-assisted treatment capacity increased dramatically from 2015 to 2019 (particularly buprenorphine, which increased more than fivefold), only about one in five people with opioid dependence receive specialty treatment.

Treatment Access Barriers and Unmet Need

Unmet Treatment Need

Over 95,000 Coloradans aged 18+ (2.3%) did not get needed substance use treatment or counseling (2019)
Nearly 100,000 Colorado adults (2.2%) did not get needed treatment (2021-2023)
938,000 people aged 12+ did not receive substance use treatment among those needing it (2022)
77.22% of those classified as needing treatment did not receive it (2022)
Only 2% of those abusing drugs in Denver check into treatment programs

Treatment Receipt Rates

5.45% (271,000 people) aged 12+ received substance use treatment in past year (2022)
24.72% (1,230,000 people) aged 12+ were classified as needing substance use treatment (2022)

The treatment gap is enormous—approximately three-quarters of people who need substance use treatment don’t receive it. While 1.23 million Coloradans need treatment, only 271,000 received it in 2022, representing a system failure to meet demand.

Barriers to Treatment (2021-2023)

66.5% cited discomfort talking with health professional about personal problems (most common)
56.8% cited cost concerns
51.1% worried about what would happen if someone found out
43.7% didn’t think insurance would cover it
32.7% had hard time getting an appointment

Stigma and cost-related barriers are the dominant ones, with two-thirds of people citing discomfort with healthcare professionals.

Economic Impact and Funding

State Budget

Colorado spends nearly 15% of state budget on addiction treatment and prevention
3 cents of every dollar goes to prevention
97 cents of every dollar goes to treatment resources (hospital bills, rehabilitation)
$4 million additional required under Long Appropriations Act for addiction prevention

Public Spending

$87.32 million of U.S. public total spent on outpatient services in Colorado
$57.09 million of U.S. public total spent on residential treatment
Total public substance use treatment spending: Approximately $144.41 million

The overwhelming allocation toward treatment versus prevention suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach. Given that treatment admissions doubled from 2012-2016, investment in evidence-based prevention could yield better long-term outcomes and cost savings.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Colorado

Colorado faces significant challenges with alcohol consumption and its consequences, ranking among the states with the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths and excessive drinking in the United States. The state’s alcohol death rate of 26.5 deaths per 100,000 people ranks sixth highest nationally, while residents consume approximately 645 drinks per year—substantially above the national average of 536. Despite widespread awareness of alcohol-related risks, Colorado consistently reports higher rates of binge drinking, alcohol use disorder, and alcohol-related fatalities compared to both regional and national averages. This comprehensive statistical profile draws from multiple health surveys and reports to present the full scope of alcohol use across all age groups in Colorado.

Overall Alcohol-Related Deaths

Total annual deaths from excessive alcohol use: 2,623
Deaths per capita: 1 death per 2,201 people aged 18+, or 5.82 deaths per 10,000 adults
Male deaths: 67.7%
Deaths from chronic causes (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder): 61.3%
Deaths among adults 35+: 83.1%
Deaths under age 21: 2.78% (58 deaths)
Five-year average death rate increase (2015-2019): 45.4%
Years of potential life lost annually: 71,300 years
National ranking: 6th highest death rate (26.5 deaths per 100,000 people)

Colorado Overall Alcohol Related Deaths

Excessive alcohol use claims thousands of lives annually in Colorado, with deaths predominantly affecting males and older adults. The sharp increase in the five-year average death rate between 2015 and 2019 signals a troubling acceleration in alcohol-related mortality.

Youth Alcohol Use (Ages 12-20)

Past-month alcohol use: 140,000 (21.8%)
Past-month binge alcohol use: 83,000 (12.9%)
Past-month alcohol use (ages 12+, youth subset): 16.96%
Past-month binge alcohol use (ages 12+, youth subset): 10.03%
Average age of first alcohol use: 16.0 years
Years of potential life lost (under 21): 3,489

By Age Subgroups

Age Group	Past-Month Alcohol Use	Past-Month Binge Use
12-14	7,000 (3.1%)	2,000 (1.1%)
15-17	36,000 (17%)	23,000 (11%)
18-20	97,000 (45.1%)	57,000 (26.7%)

High School Youth Patterns

Youth who did NOT consume alcohol in past 30 days: Two out of three
Youth reporting at least 1 drink in past 30 days who had 3+ drinks within a few hours: 62.4%
Youth reporting binge drinking in past 30 days: 14.2%
Youth ages 12-17 past-month alcohol use: 10.4% (45,000 people). Higher than regional average (8.5%) but similar to national average (9.4%)
Youth who had first drink before age 13: 17.6%

Youth Perceptions and Access

Students who believe it’s “sort of easy” or “very easy” to get alcohol: 58.6%
Students who got alcohol from someone who gave it to them (last 30 days): 40%
Students who overestimate peer drinking: 85%
Students who think parents would feel it’s wrong to drink regularly: 82%
Students who think 1-2 drinks daily poses moderate/great risk: 70%
Students who perceive great risk from 5+ drinks once/twice weekly: 40.77%
Students who think it’s wrong for their age to drink regularly: 62%
High schoolers who believe regularly drinking alcohol is risky: 69.9%

While two-thirds of high school students report not drinking in the past month, the statistics reveal troubling patterns among those who do consume alcohol. More than half of youth drinkers engage in binge drinking, and early initiation (before age 13) affects nearly one in five students—a pattern strongly associated with lifelong alcohol problems.

Young Adult Consumption (Ages 18-25)

Past-month alcohol use: 55.37% (333,000 people)
Past-month binge alcohol use: 31.83% (191,000 people)
Past-year alcohol use disorder: 14.6% (86,000 people). Higher than regional average (11.7%) and national average (9.8%)

Young adults aged 18-25 represent Colorado’s highest-risk demographic for problematic alcohol use. This age group far exceeds both regional and national averages, suggesting a critical need for targeted prevention and intervention programs.

Adult Alcohol Consumption Patterns (18+)

Adults who did NOT drink in past 30 days: 38% (compared to 47% nationally)
Past-month alcohol use (ages 18+): 64.9%
Past-month alcohol use (ages 12+): 54.86%
Annual drinks consumed per resident: 645 (vs. 536 national average)

Binge and Heavy Drinking

Adults who binge drink at least once per month: 19.8%
Adults reporting binge drinking in past 30 days: 18.3%
Adults reporting binge or heavy drinking: 19.6%
Median drinks per binge: 5.6
Median drinks per binge (top 25% most active drinkers): 7.6
Median binge frequency per month: 1.6 times
Median binge frequency (top 25% most active drinkers): 3.7 times per month
Past-month binge alcohol use (ages 18+): 31.2%
Past-month binge alcohol use (ages 12+): 24.61%

Colorado Binge Heavy Drinking Statistics

Gender Differences

Men who binge drink: 25%
Women who binge drink: 14%

Age-Specific Patterns

Binge drinking is highest among: Ages 25-34 (almost one-third report binge drinking)
Second highest binge drinking group: Ages 18-24

Colorado adults show concerning drinking patterns, with nearly two-thirds consuming alcohol monthly and one-quarter engaging in binge drinking.

Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence

Adults reporting alcohol use disorder (2019-2020): 8.8%
People aged 12+ with past-year alcohol use disorder (2017-2019): 8.5% (407,000 people). Higher than regional average (6.9%) and national average (5.3%)
People aged 12+ dependent on or abusing alcohol (2013): 353,000
Adults 21+ reporting heavy alcohol use (2009-2013): 268,000

By Age Group (2021-2022 Annual Averages)

Age Group	Number with AUD	Percentage
12+	697,000	14.08%
12-17	21,000	4.76%
18-25	110,000	18.34%
26+	566,000	14.48%
18+	676,000	14.99%
12-20	49,000	7.31%

Colorado’s alcohol use disorder rates consistently exceed both regional and national benchmarks across all age groups.

Treatment and Prevention Infrastructure

Treatment Facilities and Admissions

Treatment centers (2010): 385 facilities with 16,471 total admissions
Treatment facilities for alcohol addiction only (2010): 365 facilities
Persons enrolled for alcohol addiction only: 15,473
Individuals admitted per 100,000 for alcohol as primary drug (2014): 1,035 or more
Adults who did not get needed treatment/counseling for alcohol or drug use (2021-2023): Nearly 100,000 (2.2%)

Colorado Treatment Facilities Admissions Statistics

While Colorado maintains a substantial treatment infrastructure with over 365 facilities, significant gaps in access persist..

Healthcare System Impact

Category	Frequency	Age-Adjusted Rate
Hospitalizations with 100% alcohol attributable diagnosis	34,116	562 per 100,000 persons
ED visits with 100% alcohol attributable diagnosis	67,268	1,143 per 100,000 persons

Alcohol-attributable diagnoses place enormous strain on Colorado’s healthcare system, generating over 100,000 hospital and emergency department encounters annually.

DUI Arrests and Incidents

Adults who drove after having too much to drink: 6%
Serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle crashes (2018): 3,744. Caused by drivers under influence of alcohol and/or drugs: 21.4%
Adult arrests in Colorado (2019): 196,898. For driving under the influence: 10.6%
People charged with DUI and tested for alcohol (2018): 15,152. Tested positive for alcohol only or alcohol + other substances: 95.6%
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities with impaired drivers (2012): 472
Fatal crashes involving 15-20 year-old driver with BAC > 0.01%: 19 fatalities (24% of all fatal crashes in this age group)
Drunk-driving deaths (2017): More than 600 people

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a persistent public safety crisis in Colorado, accounting for more than one-fifth of serious traffic injuries and fatalities.

Retail Access

Liquor stores in Colorado: 1,623 (28.7 per 100,000 residents)
Liquor license counts (2017): More than 14,000
Liquor license counts (2021): Just over 16,000

Colorado Retail Access Statistics

Colorado’s retail alcohol landscape shows widespread accessibility, indicating expanding commercial alcohol availability across the state.

Economic Impact

Cost to Colorado taxpayers (2010): $5.057 billion
Inflation-adjusted cost (2022 US$): $6.826 billion
Cost per drink (2022 US$): $2.89

The economic burden of excessive alcohol use in Colorado is staggering, with taxpayers bearing nearly $7 billion in costs when adjusted for inflation.

Colorado faces a multifaceted alcohol crisis affecting all age groups, with particularly concerning rates among young adults aged 18-25. The state consistently ranks above regional and national averages for binge drinking, alcohol use disorder, and alcohol-related deaths. Recent trends show an alarming acceleration in alcohol-related mortality, with deaths increasing 60% between 2018 and 2021. Despite widespread treatment infrastructure and increasing awareness of risks, significant gaps remain in prevention, intervention, and access to care for the estimated 697,000 Coloradans struggling with alcohol use disorder.

Conclusion

Colorado faces a severe substance abuse crisis that significantly exceeds national averages, with particularly alarming rates among young adults aged 18-25 who show the highest prevalence of both drug and alcohol use disorders. The state’s overdose deaths nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021, driven primarily by fentanyl contamination, while alcohol-related deaths rank sixth highest nationally. Despite having substantial treatment infrastructure with over 460 rehabilitation centers, approximately 75% of the 1.23 million Coloradans needing substance use treatment do not receive it, representing a critical gap between need and access. The combined economic burden exceeds $7 billion annually, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies, expanded treatment capacity, and targeted interventions for high-risk populations.

Statistical Data on Drugs in Colorado

Overall Drug Overdose Statistics

Drug Overdose Death Rate Trends

Opioid Overdose Deaths Statistics

Opioid Overdose Death Rate Trends

Prescription Opioid vs. Synthetic Opioid Deaths (2021)

Breakdown by Opioid Type

Prescription Opioid Trends

Psychostimulant and Cocaine Deaths (2019-2021)

Psychostimulants

Cocaine

Youth Drug Use Statistics (Ages 12-17)

Overall Drug Use

First-Time Use (2017-2019)

Youth Substance Use Disorders

Young Adult Drug Use Statistics (Ages 18-25)

Young Adults Substance Use Disorders

Adult Drug Use Statistics (Ages 26+)

Adults Substance Use Disorders

Gender-Specific Statistics

Men (Ages 12+)

Women (Ages 12+)

Marijuana Use Statistics

Overall Population (Ages 12+)

Youth (Ages 12-17)

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

First-Time Use

Cocaine Use Statistics

Overall Use

Youth (Ages 12-17)

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

Adults (Ages 26+)

Risk Perception

Treatment Admissions:

Methamphetamine Use Statistics

Overall Use

Treatment Admissions

Youth Trends

Opioid-Related Statistics

Healthcare Impact

Treatment Admissions

Treatment Admissions and Capacity

Treatment Facilities

Treatment Enrollment

Treatment by Service Type

Outpatient Services

Residential (Non-Hospital) Services

Treatment Focus (Single-Day Count, March 2019)

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Methadone

Buprenorphine

Treatment vs. Need

Treatment Access Barriers and Unmet Need

Unmet Treatment Need

Treatment Receipt Rates

Barriers to Treatment (2021-2023)

Economic Impact and Funding

State Budget

Public Spending

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Colorado

Overall Alcohol-Related Deaths

Youth Alcohol Use (Ages 12-20)

By Age Subgroups

High School Youth Patterns

Youth Perceptions and Access

Young Adult Consumption (Ages 18-25)

Adult Alcohol Consumption Patterns (18+)

Binge and Heavy Drinking

Gender Differences

Age-Specific Patterns

Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence

By Age Group (2021-2022 Annual Averages)

Treatment and Prevention Infrastructure

Treatment Facilities and Admissions

Healthcare System Impact

DUI Arrests and Incidents

Retail Access

Economic Impact

Conclusion

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