Access Point Colorado
Harm Reduction Services
Colorado Health Network’s harm reduction services are anonymous programs offering life-saving overdose prevention supplies and education. Our comprehensive, evidence-based practices include a continuum of care designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and connect individuals to essential healthcare and support services.
Our programs offer sterile syringes and other equipment to ensure safer use and reduce the transmission of illnesses such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Participants have access to safe disposal containers for used needles and syringes, which help prevent needlestick injuries among first responders and the public.
Additionally, our programs provide drop-in or appointment-based free and confidential HIV, HCV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing, integrated behavioral health care, linkage to treatment, wound care supplies, and overdose prevention materials and education.
Connection Point
Our behavioral health clinicians work adjacent to our prevention services teams in our Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, and Pueblo offices to offer program participants the opportunity to receive no-cost, no-insurance, walk-in behavioral health services during Access Point hours. These services will be added to our Grand Junction office later in 2024.
In Pueblo alone, between January and March of 2024, 289 participants were able to speak with a therapist at our program. 39 of these individuals engaged with a higher level of care after their first meeting, and 24 continued to return for counseling during that period.
Overdose Prevention
At least 913 lives were saved in Colorado last year thanks to our harm reduction services and the life-saving naloxone (Narcan) provided to Access Point program participants. Additionally, CHN provided 1,575 training sessions to community members on how to use fentanyl testing strips to help identify substances that may be tainted with this deadly opioid.
Nearly 108,000 persons in the U.S. died from drug-involved overdose in 2022, compared to 70,630 in 2019. This is a staggering 51% increase nationally in drug-involved overdose. Participants in CHN’s harm reduction services learn how to recognize and respond to overdoses, and they receive training on the use of naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. We likewise provide this education, which includes opioid overdose reversal training, to any interested community members free of charge. Since June of 2023, our Access Point Colorado Springs participants have reported approximately 178 overdose reversals. In 2022, our Access Point Pueblo participants reported 515 overdose reversals.
Why harm reduction services?
Harm reduction services and syringe access programs like ours are proven to benefit communities. According to SAMHSA, syringe access programs are associated with an estimated 50 percent reduction in HIV and hepatitis C incidence. They do not increase drug use or crime in the areas where they are located. Instead, participants in such programs are significantly more likely to enter treatment for substance use disorder and reduce or cease injecting drug use compared to those who do not utilize such services.
Moreover, harm reduction programs have shown to save healthcare costs by preventing infections that require expensive treatments. For instance, the lifetime cost of treating one person living with HIV exceeds $400,000.
Hours And Locations
Denver
Ph: (720) 994-2403
Walk-in Service Hours:
Monday: 1-6pm
Tuesday: 1-6pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 1-6pm
Friday: 12-4pm
Address:
936 E. 18th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
Pueblo
Ph: (719) 621-1105
Our Hours Are:
Tuesday: 10am-12pm and 1:30-4pm
Wednesday: 5pm – 7pm
Thursday: 10am-12pm and 1:30-4pm
Address:
807 N. Greenwood St
Ste. 200
Pueblo, CO 81003
Colorado Springs
Ph: (719) 301-6106
Our Hours Are:
Tuesday: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Address:
875 W Moreno Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
(at Diversus Health).
Entrance is on the East side of the Moreno building, upper level.
Mobile Location – Our Hours Are:
Wednesday: 10:00am-1:00pm
Address:
Westside Cares
2808 W Colorado Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Fort Collins
Ph: (970) 484-4469
Our Hours Are:
Monday: 1pm-4:45pm
Wednesday: 1pm-6:45pm
Friday: 1pm-4:45pm
Address:
400 Remington
Suite 100
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Grand Junction
Ph: (970) 243-2437
Our Hours Are:
Monday: 11am-4:00pm
Friday: 11am-4:00pm
To learn about our Points2Go program, offering pick up appointments outside of these hours,
please call 970-243-2437
and ask to be connected to
a prevention services team member.
Address:
1001 Wellington Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Greeley
Ph: (970)-353-1177
Our Hours Are:
Monday: 9:15am-12pm
Wednesday: 9:15am-12pm
Thursday: Mobile outreach 9:00am-1:00pm: (Call 970-652-0672 to determine our location!)
Friday: 9:15am-12pm; 1pm-4:30pm.
Testing offered on a walk-in basis every Tuesday. Currently able to offer HIV and HCV testing.
Address:
820 11th Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631
Changing Lives
The Syringe Access Program is available at the Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and Grand Junction offices. Works and overdose prevention materials are available in our Greeley office. Participants of a Colorado Syringe Access Program are protected by state law and are exempt from paraphernalia tickets for syringes and injection equipment distributed by CHN and other Access Points. Participants will receive an anonymous participation card that reflects participation in the program.
CHN Services Offered
Syringe and other injection and use equipment (works) – Overdose Prevention including Naloxone (aka Narcan) – Safer Injection and Use Education – Safe disposal for our community – Behavioral Health – Prevention Case Management – Additional referrals to local resources – Including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) options.
Equipment offered
Syringes (various sizes available) – Sharps Containers – Tourniquets – Cookers – Cottons – Sterile Water – First Aid Supplies – Safer Snorting and Smoking Kits – Hygiene Items – These items are based on availability