Denver Opioid Abatement Funding RFP

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), in partnership with the Denver Opioid Abatement Council (DOAC), is seeking proposals to help reduce the harms of the opioid crisis and improve access to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services across Denver. DOAC receives Denver’s regional share of statewide Opioid Settlement Funds and is responsible for allocating these dollars to strategies that meet the requirements of the Colorado MOU and the needs identified by Denver communities.

For the 2027–2028 funding cycle, DOAC will invest $7.5 million in regional opioid settlement funds to support projects that address Denver's most pressing opioid-related needs. The council receives Denver's regional share of statewide Opioid Settlement Funds and is responsible for allocating these dollars to priorities identified by Denver communities.

Funding is available for projects that align with one of three priority areas:

• Coordinated Systems of Care: Strengthen care coordination, improve navigation across systems and increase real-time connections to services. (approximately $3.5 million)
• Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention: Expand evidence-based harm reduction services and improve access for marginalized populations. (approximately $2 million)
• Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): Reduce barriers to treatment and expand access to medications for opioid use disorder and wraparound support services. (approximately $2 million)

In addition, applicants are encouraged to develop projects that address the needs of one or both priority populations:

• Justice-Involved Population: Improve continuity of care and expand support services during incarceration and community reentry
• Youth (Focused on Connection and Belonging): Increase access to culturally responsive prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services that strengthen connection and belonging while reducing substance use risk.

These priorities were shaped through a multi-year strategic planning process that included community engagement sessions, an in depth fiscal landscape analysis, and an environmental scan of Denver’s opioid response ecosystem. This process identified specific gaps in services, opportunities for system improvement, and areas where targeted investments can most effectively reduce opioid-related harms.

The priority areas and associated best practices reflect Denver’s most urgent needs — including reducing fragmentation across care settings, improving access to harm reduction services, expanding MOUD availability, and addressing disparities affecting marginalized and underserved communities. Collectively, these strategies support the DOAC’s overarching goals of reducing fatal and nonfatal overdoses, improving treatment engagement and retention, and ensuring that people can access the services they need when they need them most.

Awards will be made for projects up to $2 million for a two year funding period.

Only one application per priority area will be accepted from each applying organization.

Apply via Submittable

Tentative Schedule (all dates are subject to change):

• RFP Release Date: July 13, 2026
• Virtual Information Session: July 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. MT | Join here.
• Questions Due in Writing: July 21, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. (MST)
• Q & A Posted Online: July 24, 2026
• Proposals Due: August 10, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. (MST)
• Award Notification (Estimated): September 10, 2026