Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Impact - Gunnison County is designated as a frontier county located in south central Colorado. With a population under 18,000, there are fewer than 5 people per square mile. Approximately one third of residents are between the ages of 18 and 34 years old. The larger-than-average number of young adults in Gunnison County and current alcohol use rates increases the risks of substance use/opioid use disorder within the County. Gunnison County has one of the highest rates of DUI’s in the state and in 2026 alcohol was reported as the leading contributing factor to all deaths. Rural communities have higher rates of substance use disorder and over half experience adverse childhood experiences, Gunnison County reflects this national trend. Efforts will address all Gunnison County residents with emphasis on children and families. Gunnison County has been working collaboratively across sectors to increase health outcomes for residents experiencing or at risk of substance use disorders. This project will strengthen the collaboration across network partners including; Gunnison County Health and Human Services, Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) Gunnison Watershed School District, Western Colorado University (WCU), law enforcement, Porchlight Health and Gunnison Sanctuary Housing; ensuring alignment of strategic plans to achieve sustainable impact. The complex nature of SUD requires comprehensive systems and a lifespan approach to prevent future problems, address barriers to care, and encourage long-term recovery. The primary focus of this project will be to increase SUD treatment and recovery services. This project will work towards the following four goals: Goal 1 – Establish coordinated, comprehensive, evidence-based SUD prevention, treatment and recovery services in Gunnison County in partnership with Gunnison Health and Human Services, Gunnison Valley Hospital and the Grasp Consortium Leadership partners to reduce deaths of despair (overdose, chronic alcohol/drug use, suicide) by 5% using 2025 as baseline. Goal 2: Increase the number of supportive services and decrease barriers for utilization of services to increase long-term health and wellness of Gunnison County residents; increasing service utilization by 15% over 3 years with year one as baseline data. Goal 3: By December 2027, Gunnison County will develop a responsive SUD workforce, adding at least four new professional positions and providing skills/education to 10 or more current professionals. Goal 4: By September 2030, Gunnison County will improve the health and well-being of residents through the Grasp Consortium working collaboratively on health promotion, prevention, treatment and recovery services as measured through number of meetings, attendance at meetings and strategic goals met. This project will result in new services including: a withdrawal management/detox services at GVH; a system of care team consisting of an Addiction Medicine physician, nurse practitioner, SUD community health nurse and 3 peers/navigators, and recovery support for housing and basic needs. This project will also strengthen existing services including Parents as Teachers in-home parenting support, clinical services as a prevention measure for youth in the Gunnison Watershed school district, and navigation support to access social services. Additionally, this project will strengthen the workforce in Gunnison County to better diversify services and create pathways into the behavioral health field in partnership with Western Colorado University. These efforts will help to reduce risk factors for SUD-related morbidity and mortality and enable sustained recovery and well-being. This project will be accomplished through the multi-sector community networks and will participate in the Gasp Consortium. The consortium works together to strengthen and sustain local service delivery in the prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorder.
