Section 25-20.5-1101 - Harm reduction grant program - creation - application - permissible uses - department duties(1) Subject to available appropriations, the department shall develop and implement a harm reduction grant program, referred to in this section as the "grant program", to prevent overdose deaths and reduce health risks associated with drug use. The department may contract with an independent entity for the administration of the grant program.(2)(a) To be eligible to receive grant funding pursuant to this part 11, an entity must be: (I) A nonprofit organization that is in good standing and registered with the federal internal revenue service and the Colorado secretary of state's office;(II) A local public health agency established pursuant to section 25-1-506;(III) A tribal agency or program;(IV) A federally qualified health center, as defined in the federal "Social Security Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1395x (aa)(4);(V) A rural health clinic, as defined in the federal "Social Security Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1395x (aa)(2);(VI) A behavioral health entity, as defined in section 25-27.6-102 (6); or(VII) A law enforcement agency.(b) An eligible entity may submit a proposal on behalf of a group of eligible entities, and apportion grant funds accordingly, to foster community collaboration and collective impact.(c) Grantees must be willing to provide services to individuals who may not be ready to seek addiction treatment services or who are in recovery.(3) On or before November 1, 2019, the department shall develop:(a) Eligibility criteria for the entities described in subsection (2) of this section;(b) The grant application process and schedule;(c) A process for determining the amount of each grant that is awarded; and(d) The performance metrics and data collection required of grantees.(4) Permissible uses of funding provided pursuant to this grant program include general operating expenses and direct and indirect project costs including, but not limited to: (a) Trainings relevant to the field of harm reduction that may include overdose prevention, safer substance use practices, safe disposal, and access to and administration of opiate antagonists and non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection tests;(b) Purchasing and providing sterile equipment, non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection tests, and syringe disposal equipment;(c) Providing direct services to persons who have come into contact with or who are at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, which may include accessing treatment and health-care services, overdose prevention activities, and recovery support services;(d) Outreach and engagement to people who come into contact with or who are at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system and who are in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment, overdose prevention, harm reduction, or recovery support services;(e) Facilitating communication, training, and technical assistance among law enforcement agencies, public health agencies, and community-based harm reduction agencies in order to divert people from the criminal justice system;(f) Auricular acudetox training and services;(g) Public education and outreach about synthetic opiates, overdose risks, and recognizing an overdose event; resources for addiction treatment and services; access to and administration of opiate antagonists and non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection tests; and laws regarding synthetic opiates, including criminal penalties and immunity for reporting an overdose event pursuant to section 18-1-711;(h) Local conventions for the purpose of developing community-based approaches for overdose prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction services;(i) Developing, or expanding existing, community-based organizations that provide overdose prevention, early intervention, and harm reduction services;(j) Evidence-based research concerning best or promising practices in overdose prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment protocols;(k) Developing strategies for serving populations who are at a higher risk of overdose and live in underserved areas; and(l) Support for a liaison with experience collaborating with community-based organizations and local public health agencies.(5) The department shall not award any grant money in excess of the amount in the harm reduction grant program cash fund created pursuant to section 25-20.5-1102.Amended by 2022 Ch. 225, § 24, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by 2019 Ch. 275, § 5, eff. 8/2/2019.L. 2019: Entire part added, (SB 19-008), ch. 2597, p. 2597, § 5, effective August 2. For the legislative declaration in HB 22-1326 stating the purpose of, and the provision directing legislative staff agencies to conduct, a post-enactment review pursuant to § 2-2-1201 scheduled in 2025, see sections 1 and 55 of chapter 225, Session Laws of Colorado 2022. To obtain a copy of the review, once completed, go to "Legislative Resources and Requirements" on the Colorado General Assembly's website.