By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open fires, open burning, and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Additional information on fire restrictions stages can be located at the Douglas County Emergency Management website.
$667,000 in grant funds awarded to Valley Hope of Parker and Hard Beauty, LLC
Posted on August 14, 2025 2025News and Events
Finding innovative solutions, support, and strategies to alleviate the opioid crisis is a priority in our community.
That’s why, at a Business Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners voted to approve funding awards presented by the Douglas County Opioid Council to support substance use prevention and recovery resources.
The funding will be awarded to two Douglas County organizations that offer peer-led recovery services and connect people in recovery with accessible sober-living environments.
HardBeauty
$567,069.90 was awarded to HardBeauty to support the organization’s Peer Support Initiative, which will place peer support recovery specialists within the Douglas County Jail and Sky Ridge Medical Center to provide direct support to individuals struggling with substance use. $226,647.76 of these funds were awarded as an Opioid Settlement Infrastructure Grant through the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council.
Valley Hope
$100,000 was awarded to Valley Hope of Parker for its Patient Essential funds to assist residential patients with the cost of entry into sober-living environments.
“These organizations work tirelessly in our community to ensure individuals recovering from substance use disorders receive the resources they need,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, chair of the Board of County Commissioners and co-chair of the Douglas County Opioid Council. “We are humbled and proud to be able to help these outstanding organizations expand this important work.”
“Opioid abuse is not a solitary struggle; it ripples through families, affecting loved ones and friends, and ultimately, the entire community,” said Roger Hudson, City Pines Councilman and co-chair of the Douglas County Opioid Council. “The pain of addiction does not discriminate; it knows no boundaries, and it affects all of us. When one member of our community suffers, we all suffer. That’s why it’s imperative that we unite in our efforts to educate, prevent, and treat addiction — now.”
In 2021, Colorado joined a national settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Douglas County, along with its municipalities, created the Douglas County Opioid Council to oversee funding priorities and develop a strategic plan for addressing opioid-related challenges.
Since then, the Douglas County Opioid Council has led local efforts to invest opioid settlement funds in programs that prevent addiction, support treatment and recovery, and promote long-term wellness in our community.
Visit the Douglas County Opioid Council webpage to learn more about the Council, its funding priorities, grant recipients, and how you can attend the Council’s monthly meetings.
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