In 2020-2021, settlements were reached nationwide with Johnson & Johnson and the nation’s three largest drug distribution companies to resolve claims by state and local governments that these companies contributed to the opioid epidemic.
In August 2021, the Colorado Attorney General and local government leaders agreed to a joint framework for distributing the funds Colorado stands to receive from litigation settlements. All 64 counties and most municipalities signed onto the Colorado Opioids Summary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established how opioid funds were to be divided and distributed within the State of Colorado. The broad participation by local governments ensured Colorado will receive its maximum share of funding from legal settlements.
Additional settlements continue to be reached, providing more funding for distribution. All settlement funds are required to be used for opioid abatement through prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.
The settlements will be distributed according to a formula spelled out in the MOU:
- 10% directly to the State
- 20% directly to participating local governments
- 10% to specific abatement infrastructure projects
- 60% directly to Regions
El Paso and Teller Counties “opted-out” of the direct 20%, directing it to control of the Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council.
Regional Opioid Abatement Council
As part of the MOU framework, each region is required to create a regional council to develop and implement a 2-year rolling plan outlining the funding uses.
The Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council is comprised of the following voting members:
- Michael Allen, 4th Judicial District Attorney – Chair
- Erik Stone, Teller County Commissioner – Vice Chair
- Lynette Crow-Iverson, Colorado Springs City Council
- Stan Bishop, Teller County Undersheriff
- Holly Williams, El Paso County Commissioner
- Carrie Geitner, El Paso County Commissioner
- Doug Trainer, Colorado Springs Police Commander
- Randy Royal, Colorado Springs Fire Chief
- Nancy Henjum, Colorado Springs City Council
- Leon Kelly, El Paso County Coroner
- Joseph Roybal, El Paso County Sheriff
- Denise Howell, Manitou Springs City Manager
- Patrick Regan, Town of Monument Police Commander
- Lee Walker, Victor Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter
- Glori Thurston, City of Victor Administrator
Non-voting members: Municipalities who will cycle onto the voting membership in future years.
- Frank Salvato, Cripple Creek City Manager
- Chris Deisler, Woodland Park Police Chief
- Troy Johnson, City of Fountain Attorney
Additional Non-voting members:
- Susan Wheelan, EPC Public Health Director
- DeAnn Ryberg, EPC Deputy Public Health Director
- Kim Mauthe, Teller County Director of Human Services
- Michelle Wolff, Teller County Public Health Director
- Bridgette Fuson, Department of Human Services (Monument Rep)
Non-voting community members:
- Jack Briggs
- Laura Ridenour
- Matthew Riviere
- Eric Stein Bronsky
- David Albrecht
- Jason Jorgensen
Staff Support:
- Sunny Bryant, El Paso County Deputy Administrator
- Kenny Hodges, El Paso County Attorney
- Amanda Grant, El Paso County Deputy Director of Financial Services
- Traci Gorman, El Paso County Contracts & Procurement Manager
Any questions about the Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council or their process may be sent to amandagrant@elpasoco.com.
Meetings
Official meeting notices and agendas are available at https://www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso.
- April 11, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, 105 E Vermijo Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903) Region 16 Meeting Agenda 04.11.2024
Official Funding Opportunities
Official funding opportunities will be noticed at El Paso County Solicitations.
- Currently no open solicitations available.