COLORADO REGION 5 OPIOID ABATEMENT COUNCIL

Quarterly Progress Report | Strategic Plan Years 3-4

Reporting Period: 7/1/25-9/30/25

Region 5 Fiscal Agent:

Eagle County Public Health & Environment

Name and Contact of Individual Preparing Report:

Karina Schorr | Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council Coordinator, ECPHE | karina.schorr@eaglecounty.us | 970-328-9811

1. Overview

Project Accomplishments

The Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council met on August 20th, 2025. Agenda, notes, and slides can be found in this folder: 8.20.25 R5 Opioid Abatement Council Meeting Agenda & Notes

  • Administrative Items

    • The full Council voted to amend the Region 5 bylaws to be more in compliance with the Colorado Open Meetings Laws. Two provisions from the bylaws were removed:

      • Allowing formal votes to be conducted via email

      • Allowing the Co-Chair to approve up to $25,000 in expenses in any given calendar year

    • The voting members approved the Region 5 Administrator’s request for a mileage budget 

      • In order to attend regional meetings and network with stakeholders, Karina Schorr requested approval for reimbursement to cover up to 750 miles of travel to the Region 5 counties per year for the 2025/2026 Strategic Plan. Garfield County voting member Commissioner Tom Jankovsky petitioned to increase the annual limit to 1,000 miles, which was approved by all voting members.

  • Contractor Updates

    • Effct LLC, Anti-Stigma & Education Campaign – The contractor shared the reach of the campaign to date and goals for the next six months.

    • OMNI Institute, Data Dashboard – the contractor gave an initial tour of the dashboard, which was officially published on September 2nd.

    • High Rockies Harm Reduction – HRHR shared impact data (supplies distributed, participant interactions, events hosted) from the previous two year contract, and the awarded Infrastructure Share funding that will secure safe and capable vehicles for the organization as they deliver services in all 5 counties.

  • Strategic Plan 2025/26 Funding Opportunities

    • The Council reviewed the process and scope for the Youth Programming and Treatment & Recovery RFPs, which opened on September 2nd. 

  • Updated Distributions & Unexpended Funding

    • Two contracts from the previous Strategic Plan (Mind Springs and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office) did not fully expend their awarded amounts. The Council voted on the following re-allocations for the current Strategic Plan:

      • Increase the upcoming Youth Programming RFP by $90,000, bringing the total anticipated expenditure amount for this priority area in 2025/26 to $170,000. 

      • Set the remaining $79,580.52 aside for “other” treatment purposes. Potential areas include transportation, workforce, and bridge funding. 

  • The Region released the Youth Programming and Treatment & Recovery RFPs on September 2nd. Proposals for both had deadlines set for October 27th. 

    • To assist potential applicants in understanding the purpose and scope of the funds, Karina Schorr facilitated two webinars:

      • Treatment & Recovery Webinar - Wednesday, September 17th, 9:00 am - 10:00 am

      • Youth Programming Webinar - Wednesday, September 24th, 9:00 am - 10:00 am

    • Karina Schorr is currently seeking volunteers from the Council roster to score and make recommendations on final awardees. The goal is to finalize recommendations and present them for vote at the February 18th, 2026 bi-annual meeting. Further updates will be available in the next report.

Challenges & Barriers

The second Co-Chair position remains unfilled. While not currently a major barrier, as the Region develops more administrative policies and procedures an additional Co-Chair would be very helpful in guiding the Administrator and making recommendations for the voting members.

  • An Executive Committee model may also aid in these goals.

Council Changes

Pitkin County Commissioner Greg Poschman and Regional Director of the Western Slope for Hard Beauty, Vanessa Lane, were onboarded to the Council as non-voting members during this reporting period. Commissioner Poschman serves as a Pitkin county member and Lane, in her regional role, serves for multiple counties (Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle).

2. Contractor Progress & Outcomes

Anti-Stigma & Education Campaign | Effct LLC

Deliverable Status

Data Gathered/Reach

In this reporting period the Community Compass campaign continued to publish and sponsor digital content in all 5 counties of Region 5. Data provided by Effct during this reporting period covers the first three months of 2025 and can be found in this document: Community Compass 2025 Q2 Report.pdf

  • Website

    • 4,101 Site Sessions (+10.5% increase from previous reporting period)

    • 3,906 Unique Visitors (+7.6%)

    • 884 clicks on resource pages (+65.2%)

    • Most Visited Pages:

      • 1. Stories

      • 2. Resources

      • 3. About Us

      • 4. Education

      • 5. All Region 5 Resources

  • Socials

    • Facebook

      • 2,009,758 Impressions (+110.9%)

      • 7,754 Link Clicks (-9.1% decrease)

    • Instagram

      • 568,703 Impressions (+181.2%)

      • 1,457 Link Clicks (+12%)

    • Snapchat

      • 541,771 Impressions (+22.4%)

      • 1,917 Link Clicks (+29.6%)

    • TikTok

      • 1,044,464 Impressions (+30.8%)

      • 4,975 Link Clicks (-12.4%)

  • Per the Administrator’s request, Effct provided data for the previous quarter (July-September) for this report as well. 

    • Website  

      1. 4,492 Site Sessions (+9.5%)

      2. 3,821 Unique Visitors (-2.1%)

      3. 623 clicks on resource pages (-29.5%)

      4. Most Visited Pages:

        • 1. All Region 5 Resources

        • 2. Resources (Region-wide resources landing page)

        • 3. Stories

        • 4. Roaring Fork Valley Resources

        • 5. Garfield County Resources

    • Socials

      1. Facebook

        • 300,449 Impressions (-85%)

        • 7,002 Link Clicks (-9.6%)

      2. Instagram

        • 132,308 Impressions (-76.7%)

        • 917 Link Clicks (-37%)

      3. Snapchat

        • 478,728 Impressions (-11.6%)

        • 1,864 Link Clicks (-2.7%)

      4. TikTok

        • 842,553 Impressions (-19.3%)

        • 3,975 Link Clicks (-20.1%)

  • Campaign engagement data, along with the results of the Baseline Assessment, has also been published on the Region 5 Data Dashboard. This data, along with data for High Rockies Harm Reduction, can be found in the About Us > Our Reach section of the website, Region5OpioidCouncil.org. 

    • Given this new platform for public access to data, future reports will focus on the performance and deliverables of the campaign. 

Accomplishments

  • In Effct met with the Contracting workgroup to discuss the new scope and work plan for the upcoming contract extension. Notable additions include: 

    • A definition for Featured Community Members “A resident of Region 5 who is either a) in long-term recovery b) has lived experience of OUD/SUD (including friends and family of loved ones with OUD/SUD) or is c) a representative of a community organization that provides support and/or services for Region 5 residents with OUD/SUD who is interviewed by the Contractor and featured in campaign materials. These community members who share their stories are essential in reframing narratives and diminishing stigma around OUD/SUD and will be considered valued collaborators in the Council’s work.”

    • A deliverable for physical advertisement placements across the Region, with a goal for implementation of said strategy by July 1st 2026.

    • A deliverable for bi-annual review of featured resources on the campaign website, with the goal of maintaining relevance.

    • A Featured Community Member Protocol, which will outline how the contractor recruits and contacts Featured Community Members (FCM), consent language FCMs sign to approve the use of their image and story, interview processes and questions. Draft protocol due to Workgroup by 12/15/25, approval from workgroup by 2/15/26.

  • Content featured this quarter:

    • July - Recovery Friendly Workplaces

      • What is a recovery-friendly workplace

      • What challenges can people in recovery encounter in the workplace?

      • Why are recovery-friendly workplaces important?

      • How can you become a recovery-friendly workplace?

      • Community Member feature: Mugsy Seldeen

    • August - Supporting others in Recovery

      • Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative Feature

      • What does it mean to support a peer in recovery?

      • Why is it important to support others in recovery?

      • How to take the first step towards offering peer support?

      • Community Member feature: Kaile Wilson

    • September - Demystifying & Understanding Recovery

      • What is recovery?

      • Common isolation myths

      • What does life in recovery look like?

      • Ready to start your own recovery?

      • Community Member feature: Cori Potter

    • Upcoming Content

      • October: Different types of Stigma

      • November: Different pathways to recovery

Challenges/Barriers/Changes

No challenges to report during this period.

Harm Reduction | High Rockies Harm Reduction

Deliverable Status

  • High Rockies Harm Reduction’s Work Plan, with notes, status updates, and links to relevant documents can be found in this Google Sheets document: R5COAC Work Plan/Contractor Scope Tracking

  • Obtaining the vehicles for the Infrastructure Project has delayed the overall timeline for implementing these deliverables. Tariffs imposed by the current administration have generally made vehicles difficult to source. While we originally anticipated having the vehicles and finalizing a service agreement with VanLife Customs by September 31st, this was delayed slightly. The vans have been acquired and the service agreement was finalized on October 30th. This delay will impact several other deadlines, but we continue to work towards a long-lasting impact with this project.

Data Gathered/Reach

  • View the full HRHR 2025 Q3 Data spreadsheet here: HRHR July - Sept '25 Data.xlsx

  • During this reporting period High Rockies Harm Reduction (HRHR) distributed the following supplies across Region 5: 

    • Narcan (two doses per box): 303

    • ReVive (naloxone): 3

    • Kloxxado (two doses per box): 3

    • Intramuscular Naloxone: 12

    • Fentanyl Test Strips: 374

    • Xylazine Test Strips: 0

    • Syringes Out (distributed to participants): 1,220

    • Syringes In (used syringes collected and disposed by HRHR): 45

    • IV Kits: 47

    • Sterile Snorting Kits: 57

    • Sterile Pipes: 57

    • Condoms: 49

  • While participant data is somewhat difficult to capture for all of HRHR’s services (many events take place during large scale community events i.e. concerts, festivals) the below data reflects participants at the service events under the Region 5 contract. A participant is defined as an individual who engages with HRHR at a service event AND takes at least one piece of supplies (ie Narcan, fentanyl test strip, sterile injection kit etc.). Therefore the below data does not include events where HRHR was present in the community but did not distribute supplies to at least one client. 

    • Eagle County participant interactions in this reporting period: 6

    • Garfield County participant interactions in this reporting period: 103

    • Lake County participant interactions in this reporting period: 26

    • Pitkin County participant interactions in this reporting period: 34

    • Summit County participant interactions in this reporting period: 5

    • High Rockies Harm Reduction provided supplies and services at six community level events in this reporting period: 

        • Women’s Health Fair, Rifle, 7/10

        • Rifle Library, Rifle, 7/10 & 8/25

        • Mountain Fair, Carbondale, 7/27

        • SHIFT Event, Edwards, 8/4

        • Glenwood Beauty College, Glenwood Springs, 8/27

        • Overdose Awareness Day, Glenwood Springs, 8/31

Accomplishments

  • In this reporting period the Region 5 workgroup approved funding for the purchase of two 2025 AWD Ford Transit Cargo vans to be converted into mobile offices. Mugsy Seldeen and Karina Schorr met in-person with VanLife Customs to review the design of the mobile units and selected materials.

  • Data in Eagle and Summit shows an increase for participant interactions. This is likely a result of consistency and predictability of services, emphasizing the need for additional capacity on the Eastern side of the Region.

  • During this reporting period HRHR received funding that allowed it to rent a physical, dedicated office space. This will greatly aid the organization in storing and organizing materials and interacting with staff.

Challenges/Barriers/Changes

  • Reliable transportation continues to be a challenge, which will likely impact services in the following reporting period. The consensus from the workgroup at this point is for HRHR to avoid over-extending its capacity with less than adequate vehicles, and spend the coming months focusing on developing administrative processes and plans regarding new staffing needs, the vehicles, the office space the organization moved into this reporting period, and data collection refinement. While this lapse in service delivery is not ideal, the group feels this is the best decision to ensure HRHR is ready to launch the weekly service schedule and onboard additional staff once the mobile units have been acquired.

  • HRHR Peer Support Professional, Josie Cruz, tendered her resignation during this period. The current budget does allow for recruitment and signing bonus expenses to attract additional peer support staff, and developing a staffing plan will be a priority for HRHR during the following reporting period.

Data Dashboard | The OMNI Institute

Deliverable Status

  • OMNI’s Work Plan, with notes, status updates, and links to relevant documents can be found in this Google Sheets document: R5COAC Work Plan/Contractor Scope Tracking

  • The Spanish language version of the dashboard is scheduled to be published on Monday, November 3rd, behind from the original July 15 deadline. Once this deliverable is met, the full scope of this contract will be completed. A maintenance contract with OMNI has been signed, ensuring management of the dashboard through October 31st 2027. This contractor section may be amended or removed from future reports as no additional meetings or collaboration with the Council is scheduled. An updated version of the Work Plan tracking sheet, with objectives, activities, and frequency, can be found in this document: 2025-27 R5COAC Work Plan/Contractor Scope Tracking

Data Gathered/Reach

  • OMNI has gathered all necessary data for the dashboard at this time. The contractor is currently exploring how best to display the Social Determinants of Health and Upstream Factor data on the website. The Data Dashboard workgroup will continue to give input on how to organize and visualize data.

  • OMNI has gathered all necessary data for the dashboard at this time. Data gathering goals from this point on will focus on updating indicators on the dashboard as they become available.

    • Using the analytics function on the hosting site, Squarespace, OMNI and the Region have the ability to monitor various traffic and engagement data. Some initial metrics below, between 9/1/25-10/31/25: 

      • Number of visits: 489

      • Unique Visitors: 427

      • Most visited pages: 

        • Home

        • Key Outcomes

        • Overview

        • Funding Opportunities

        • Social Determinants of Health

      • Visits by Location:

        • Colorado: 256

        • Denver: 88

        • Glenwood Springs: 35

        • Littleton: 21

        • Unknown: 103

Accomplishments

  • The dashboard was successfully published during this reporting period, going live at the url Region5OpioidCouncil.org on September 2nd.

Challenges/Barriers/Changes

  • The Spanish translation of the dashboard is delayed, but scheduled to be completed by Monday, November 3rd.

3. Financial Status

R5OAC Funding Tracker Awarded vs Received and Allocated

TOTAL AWARDED AMOUNT: $ 2,703,900.36

The funding tracker has been updated to include changes to the 2025/26 Strategic Plan: R5OAC Funding Tracker. This information may differ compared to what is available on the COAG’s website.

Total Allocated Funds per Priority Area 2023-2026 (all sources)

  • Prevention – $728,950.00

    • Anti-Stigma/Education Campaign - Effct LLC: $558,950.00

    • Youth Programming Mini-Grants: $170,000.00

  • Harm Reduction - High Rockies Harm Reduction: $707,015.72 (includes Regional and Infrastructure Shares)

  • Treatment/Recovery – $800,468.80

    • Mind Springs Medically Managed Withdrawal Facility: $31,000

      • This number reflects the funds deemed adequately utilized by the contractor for this priority. No additional funds will be awarded for this program as the facility has closed and the contract has been terminated. A summary of this process can be found in the Lessons Learned section below.

    • Regional Detention Centers: $94.632.80

      • Garfield County: $38,400

      • Summit County: $41,488.28 

    • Treatment/Recovery RFP: $500,000.00

    • Lake County Treatment Access: $20,000.00

    • General Treatment (use TBD) -  $79,580.52

  • Leadership, Planning & Coordination – $509,976.65

    • Data Dashboard - OMNI: $167,500.00

    • Staffing: $325,593.00

      • Infrastructure Grant (to support Karina Schorr’s position in 2024-25): $135,000.00

      • Regional Share (will support Karina Schorr’s position in 2025-2026): $190,593.00

    • COAG Conference Room, Board & Travel costs for Council members: $16,883.03

      • Regional Share (expensed in 2024): $5,148.62

      • McKinsey Subdivision Settlement (to cover expenses in 2025 & 2026): $11,735.03

  • Administrative – Fiscal Agent Treasury Fees 2023-26: $40,928.27

    • Infrastructure Share: $15,000.00

    • Regional Share: $25,928.27

Expenses

Total Expenses to Date: $1,125,805.01   

4/01/25 - 6/30/25 Expenses: $196,655.96

  • High Rockies Harm Reduction

    • Total invoice amount: $148,093.08

      • Submitted 8/21/25

      • Description: FTE Peer Support Professional @ $25/hour ($4,604/month)for June, July, August, 2 AWD Ford Transits at $57,820 each, CNDC Indirect Rate

  • The OMNI Institute

    • Total invoice amount: $12,497.88 ($4,165.96 x 3)

    • Submitted: 7/30/25, 8/30/25, 9/30/25

    • Description: Regular monthly invoicing for Q3

  • Effct LLC

    • Invoice amount: $36,065.00

    • Submitted: 10/01/25

    • Description: Creative work, Reporting, meeting and evaluation, Ad placements and investments, software and licenses, print materials labor, print materials printing costs, print materials mailing.

4. Sustainability

Community Based Partnerships

Finding a suitable source for the Lake County Treatment funds continues to be difficult. Discussions with St Vincent have stalled. An initial thought was that the funds could be used to increase eligibility under their financial assistance program for MAT and other Substance Use patients. However, those eligibility standards are federally set and cannot be altered. St Vincent proposed using the funds to clear outstanding balances for SUD patients. However, this does not achieve the goal of increasing ongoing access into the future. 

  • Lake County Sheriff's Office has filled a new Operations staff role. Karina Schorr met with LCSO employees to explore additional opportunities around MAT and continuity of care. One option, like what was purchased for Garfield County Detention Center, would be to purchase Long-Acting Injectable MAT. The benefit of this medication, particularly for residents being released from detention centers, is that the medication is active for 30 days, giving them a longer time period where they can resist return-to-use and theoretically a better chance for continuity of care to be established. Conversations are ongoing and will be updated in future reports. 

Funding Prioritization

Two changes to the current funding prioritization were made during this reporting period. Given Mind Springs and Summit County Sheriff’s Office underutilized previous awards, the Region needed to re-allocate $169,580.52. The following changes were approved during the August 20th meeting:

  • Increase the Youth Programming RFP by $90,000

  • Set aside the remaining $79,580.52 for a to-be-determined Treatment Priority.

5. Successes and Lessons Learned

Successes

All of the continuing contracts from the previous Strategic Plan have been executed for the 2025/26 Strategic Plan:

  • High Rockies Harm Reduction

    • Total Contract Amount: $560,165 (includes Infrastructure Funds)

    • Term: August 1st, 2025 - July 31, 2027

  • Effct LLC

    • Total Contract Amount: $237,00

    • Term: October 3rd, 2025 - October 2nd, 2027

  • OMNI

    • Total Contract Amount: $60,000

    • Term: November 1st, 2025 - October 31st, 2027

The Region successfully released the Youth Programming and Treatment & Recovery RFPs during this reporting period. The Contracting Workgroup was essential in developing the RFP scopes, goals, and processes.

Lessons Learned

Following a Notice of Non-compliance with a capital grant contract due to the premature closure of the Withdrawal Management Facility, the Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council successfully secured a prorated monetary reimbursement. The original $185,836 contract was terminated after the facility closed four months into the 24-month agreement. The Council, via Eagle County as Fiscal Agent, pursued recovery of funds already paid, determining a prorated amount of $62,000 was due. After initially considering an in-kind service amendment, the contractor's new leadership opted for a direct reimbursement to promptly resolve the breach and restore stakeholder confidence. The $62,000 was successfully returned to Eagle County on September 16, 2025.

  • The Region is actively developing a Capital Asset Investment Policy to address the risks encountered in this situation. This policy will include clear and comprehensive guidance on evaluating recipients of capital funds, specifically on their ability to manage assets and demonstrate project sustainability prior to the release of substantial funds. 

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