Boulder County
News from Boulder provided by county information services, county commissioners and more
Boulder County Grapples with 2025 Surge in Overdose Death
Sep 10th
Boulder County, Colo. – A sharp rise in drug overdose deaths has alarmed Boulder County in 2025, with fentanyl and methamphetamine fueling the crisis. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office reported 25 overdose deaths in the first half of 2025, including 17 linked to fentanyl and 14 to methamphetamine, compared to 59 total deaths in 2024. Gunbarrel, Lafayette, and Superior each recorded one fentanyl-related death, with Gunbarrel also noting a methamphetamine fatality.
Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn reported a 37% increase in suspected overdoses, with 38 cases by April, five fatal. The Boulder County Drug Task Force found no evidence of a specific tainted batch, complicating prevention efforts. Fentanyl’s growing presence in illicit drugs, often mixed with methamphetamine to heighten addiction, is driving the surge, authorities say.
Jann Scott, Boulder’s foremost expert in drug addiction recovery, criticized the city and county for their lack of effective programs. “Neither the city nor county are leveraging Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, or Alcoholics Anonymous in treating addicts,” Scott said. He added that Mental Health Partners’ Addiction Recovery Center and drug courts have failed to address the crisis adequately, leaving a gap in comprehensive recovery support.
Despite a 30% drop in fentanyl deaths in 2024, credited to naloxone distribution and community outreach, the 2025 uptick has renewed urgency. City councilmembers are pushing for strategic use of opioid settlement funds to bolster prevention and treatment. Community leaders stress the need for sustained collaboration to address systemic failures and expand access to proven recovery programs. Without immediate action, Boulder risks further loss in this escalating public health crisis.
Boulder to enact more gun laws
Jun 5th
*banning the sale and possession of assault weapons
*banning magazines containing more than 10 rounds
*raising the firearm purchasing age from 18 to 21
*outlawing open and concealed carry in sensitive places like hospitals, schools and places of worship
*instituting a 10-day waiting period to purchase a firearm
*requiring firearm dealers to post signs outside of their stores explaining the dangers of firearms
The only item missing is putting School Resource Officers back in schools and upping police protection all around the city
No Charges for Boulder Killer Cops
Sep 3rd
As to be expected Boulder DA Stan Garnett did not bring charges against the two Boulder Police officers involved in the shooting of CU student Sam Forgy. Garnett and Boulder police have been silent since the night of the shooting in July. This is usually an indication that the DA will back the Police.
Forgys mother was in shock over the announcement and disappointed. Garnett did reveal that an assault team of 4 officers entered the apartment complex where Forgy was standing naked on a balcony , screaming, high on acid holding a hammer. The officer had shields and enough power to overwhelm Forgy but decided instead to shoot him dead.
Sam Forgy shot dead by Boulder police
A high level police official told Boulder Channel 1 News “that the officer was new, inexperienced and he panicked.”
A prominent Boulder Criminal defense lawyer to us, that ” it is typical for the DA to back the police officers in his jurisdiction. He has to work with them. He has to give them the benefit of the doubt. He hopes no one will call him out on it. If he charged the officers , his career as DA and his political career would be over. This was a political decision not a moral one ”
A local police chief told us; ” police commit a lot of bad shootings. This is one and it should not be swept under the rug… but it has been.”
Another lawyer told us…. “This is a classic wrongful death case “… The family could sue the city of Boulder, the county, the police officers and the DA. This is a high dollar case too. In the millions of dollars. The attorneys will sue in civil court and the truth about what happened that night will come out. The lawyers will put the officers and the DA on the stand. It won’t be pretty. I would say the city will have to settle this for 5 to 15 million dollars before it goes to court.” The city and county do not want a case like this in court.”
Boulder Channel 1 news has learned “that a team of high profile attorneys and investigators have been working on this case at the behest of the family since the day after the shooting.”
