Fentanyl deaths in Boulder County are up in the first half of 2025, particularly in connection with methamphetamine use, according to coroner’s office data.
Why it matters: A surge in fentanyl- and meth-related deaths threatens to reverse progress in Colorado’s opioid fight — and underscores limits of tougher drug penalties.
Driving the news: The Boulder County Coroner’s Office released midyear drug overdose data last week, finding they were down overall, but deaths linked to fentanyl and methamphetamine were up.
By the numbers: Fentanyl deaths are up 50%, while methamphetamine deaths are up 47% in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2024. Overdose deaths involving both meth and fentanyl almost tripled over that same time span…