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.
Douglas County and its municipalities form Region 12 under Colorado’s statewide opioid settlement framework. The Douglas County Opioid Council leads the local effort to invest opioid settlement funds in programs that prevent addiction, support treatment and recovery, and promote long-term wellness in our community.
BackgroundIn 2021, Colorado joined a national settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. A statewide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established how the funds would be distributed:
Douglas County, along with its municipalities, formed Region 12 and created a regional council to oversee funding priorities and develop a two-year strategic plan for addressing opioid-related challenges. In 2023, the Council developed a two-year strategic plan.
In 2023, after a detailed planning and application process, Region 12 committed funding to the following seven priorities:
In addition to these priorities, the Opioid Council coordinates public education and stigma reduction campaigns that raise awareness about addiction, promote recovery resources and engage youth, parents and schools.
Projected Spending on Approved Uses: $1,767,815.00
Administrative Costs: $52,906.21
Current Funding to Date: $7,890,402.00
Funding Requested: $2,390,095.66
Funding Balance (Funding – Requested): $5,500,306.34
Expenditures: $622,280.66
Funding Balance (Funding – Expenditures): $7,268,121.34
Find the complete 2025-2026 Douglas County Opioid Council financial plan here.
Since August 2024, the Board of County Commissioners has awarded more than $1 million in grant funding to organizations in Region 12.
The Infrastructure Share represents 10% of all opioid settlement funds received by Colorado. These resources, managed by the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council (COAC), are being strategically invested in infrastructure-related projects across Colorado to combat the opioid crisis and supplement other settlement funds received by Colorado communities.
Any questions about the Douglas County Opioid Council may be sent to [email protected].
