Fentanyl is fueling overdose deaths in Colorado – what voters need to know about Proposition 132’s attempt to stiffen penalties

In November, Colorado voters will decide whether to further criminalize the use of illicit fentanyl.

By: Joshua Barocas, University of Colorado Anschutz, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 16, 2026

Words: 1,132

Last Updated: 13 hours, 42 minutes ago

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By Joshua Barocas, University of Colorado Anschutz

Colorado continues to face an increase in overdose deaths while other states have seen a downturn.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a potent opioid, emerged in the Colorado drug market around 2018. That was nearly five years after it began tormenting people who use street drugs in Northeastern states.

By 2019, fentanyl replaced other drugs as the driving force behind opioid overdoses in Colorado, and it has

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