Wednesday, April 2, 2025
4/2/2025
Healthy Futures Coalition: Partnering to Reduce Substance Use in Boulder County - Boulder County is the seventh most populous of the 64 counties in Colorado (U.S. Census Bureau estimated population of 322,226). Boulder County includes 11 municipalities and several unincorporated communities. Located in north-central Colorado, northwest of Denver, the county’s landscape includes dense urban centers surrounded by rural and mountain communities. Boulder County is home to many institutions of higher learning (e.g. Front Range Community College and Naropa University), with the largest being the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), which has an enrollment of over 30,000 students. According to the United States Census Bureau, from 2013-2017, 50.2% of Boulder County residents identify as male and 49.8% identify as female. Seventy-eight percent identify as non-Hispanic white, 14% identify as Hispanic, and 8% identify as non-Hispanic other race. The median and mean household income in Boulder County is $75,669 and $104,898, respectively (United States Census Bureau [USCB], 2013-2017), which shows that the range of incomes in Boulder County is skewed toward high-income households. Within Boulder County, considerable wealth exists alongside poverty with 13% of residents living in a household that is below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Additionally, there are racial/ethnic economic disparities among families. Of households with children under age 18 where the householder’s race is non-Hispanic white, 5% are under the FPL. Conversely, households with children under age 18 where the householder’s race is Hispanic, 19% are under the FPL (USCB, 2013-2017). In 2012, voters legalized the sale and possession of recreational marijuana, with retail sales commencing on January 1, 2014. Among Boulder County youth, there is a low perception of risk from regular marijuana use among youth; only 52% of youth think that people who use marijuana regularly risk harm. In 2019 State of Colorado legalized medical and recreational marijuana delivery along with marijuana hospitality establishments which will serve as a social venue for those over 21 to legally buy and consume cannabis outside of their home. Both marijuana delivery and marijuana hospitality establishments will increase the availability and impact the ease of access to marijuana in Boulder County. According to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) 2017 data, students who think it is easy to get marijuana are 4.3 times more likely to use marijuana than students who think it would be difficult to get marijuana. While the advent of retail marijuana has caught local, state, and national attention, alcohol abuse carries a visible and serious community impact. CU students drive up the adult substance use rates and model many negative behaviors for youth in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD). More youth in Boulder County are regularly using alcohol (35% past 30-day use) compared to the average for Colorado (29% past 30-day use).
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).