Synthetic Opiate Poisoning Investigation and Distribution Interdiction Grant Program

• Application Instructions 
• FAQs
• Technical Assistance Webpage (Includes recordings of DCJ-hosted webinars)

The mission of the Division of Criminal Justice is to improve the public safety of the community, the quality of services to crime victims, and the effectiveness of services to offenders. We accomplish this by analyzing policy, conducting criminal justice research, managing programs, and administering grants.

To provide grants to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of investigating deaths and serious injuries caused by illegal synthetic opiate poisoning and for disrupting synthetic opiate supplies. 

C.R.S. 24-33.5-533. Synthetic Opiate Poisoning Investigation And Distribution Interdiction Grant Program

The grant funding may be used by a law enforcement agency for the following purposes only: 

• Investigating deaths and serious injuries caused by illegal synthetic opiate poisoning
• Investigating, enforcing, and prosecuting synthetic opiate importation and high-level distribution networks, including multijurisdictional and multistate investigations and enforcement operations, to reduce the supply of illegal synthetic opiates and precursor chemicals in Colorado
• Technology, equipment, and training to enhance intelligence, information-sharing capabilities, and interagency collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners regarding synthetic opiate importation and high-level distribution networks
• Analyzing emergent trends in markets, including the use of the postal service, private courier, commercial cargo, and the internet, for the import and distribution of illegal synthetic opiates through a systematic and standardized approach, including the use of novel, high-frequency, and real-time systems to enhance market surveillance.  

Some examples of eligible activities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Enhanced testing equipment for synthetic opioids, such as TruNarc
• Technology to unlock cell phones, such as 'Graykey' by Grayshift
• Data analytics tools such as NightHawk for reviewing cell and social media
• Server storage to manage data captured
• Enhanced testing of synthetic drugs
• Forensic data analytic tools
• Mobile device forensic tools
• Personnel to get trained and manage overdose detection and surveillance applications
• Safe Evidence Handling and Storage items, such as vented hoods, faraday bags
• Training relevant to investigating, disrupting distribution and prosecution of illegal synthetic opiates

Please note this is not an exhaustive list.  

All grant applications must address all of the following:

• The specific activity the grant would fund
• Number or rate of drug overdoses related to synthetic opiates within the community intended to be served. This information is available online at Counts of drug overdose deaths due to any opioid in Colorado, 2020-2021
• Barriers the agency experiences when performing fentanyl or other synthetic opioid death investigations or distribution interdiction within the designated agency
• How the proposed project will address the identified barriers.  
• Existing resources available when performing fentanyl or other synthetic opioid death investigations within the designated agency 
• Details on collaboration efforts among federal, state, or local law enforcement partners regarding synthetic opiate importation and high-level distribution networks
• If personnel costs are included, how the project will be sustained once funding ends

General technical assistance regarding the grant application process will be offered to all applicants through webinars, office hours, and other means.

Visit Technical Assistance for Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention Grant Program for more information

Below is a non-exhaustive list of resources:

• Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP)
  • ODMAP Training
• Rocky Mountain High-Intensity Drug Training Assistance (HIDTA) 
• Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking
• Colorado 2022 Fentanyl Summit - Lists key subject matter experts on the topic. Only available to law enforcement.
• Denver Fentanyl Action Summit

Currently closed. 

$801,471

January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024

A match is not a requirement for this funding.

Money from the grant award may only be used for the stated eligible activities.

Eligible grant recipients include:

• Colorado law enforcement agencies per 24-32-124(1)(e)
  • “Law enforcement agency” means a county sheriff’s office, municipal police force, the Colorado state patrol, or the Colorado bureau of investigation.
• Colorado District Attorney's Office
• Multijurisdictional law enforcement task force that includes a law enforcement agency as defined by section 24-32-124 (1)(e) 
• Police department for a private or state institution of higher education

Funding decisions will be made in consultation with the P.O.S.T. Board Director or Designee, the Deputy Attorney General, and the Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee.

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:  

• Specific activity requested for grant funding
• Availability of existing programs in your community to address fentanyl or other synthetic opioid investigations and/or distribution interdiction
• The prevalence of deaths related to synthetic opiate poisoning, overdose, or trafficking
• Ability to overcome barriers to performing fentanyl or other synthetic opioid death investigations or distribution interdiction
• Collaboration efforts among partners regarding synthetic opiate importation and high-level distribution networks
• Innovation of the proposal

Applications that are denied funding may submit an appeal within 3 days of notification; however, appeals may only contain clarifying information specific to the reasons noted in the denial notification and can not contain new information. 

If awarded, grantees will receive additional information regarding administrative requirements.

Sample Grant Agreements

The grantee will be required to submit financial and programmatic reports describing how the grant funds were utilized, including data and other relevant information on performance metrics. These reports will be required quarterly and on or before August 1, 2023 and on or before August 1 each year thereafter as funding is available. Performance metrics will be outlined at the time of the award.

Announcement date: July 5, 2023

Application deadline: August 18, 2023 (EXTENDED)

Funding decision announced: October 2023

Reconsideration/appeals deadline: Approximately 3 days following Denial Notification

Grant Agreement Issuance: December 2023

Award Period: January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024

The Synthetic Opiate Poisoning Investigation and Distribution Interdiction Grant Program Announcement, Application, and Application Instructions can be obtained through Colorado’s online application system, ZoomGrants.

The application period is now closed. 

Robyn May
Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, OAJJA
700 Kipling Street
Denver, CO 80215
Direct: 303-842-3344
E-mail: robyn.may@state.co.us

If you experience problems or have questions about how to use ZoomGrants, please contact dcjgms@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado is committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradoans. The Division of Criminal Justice is committed to making its physical campus and digital resources accessible to everyone. The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) strives to ensure equal access to the services we provide to everyone with and without disabilities. To best meet reasonable accommodation needs for effective communication or a reasonable modification to programs, services, or activities, please contact us a week prior to the activity or event.

DCJ will make every effort to provide requested reasonable accommodations, however, failure to notify DCJ of requested accommodations at least 3 business days prior to the date of the activity or event date may result in delay or denial of the accommodation.