Colorado Teens Identify High Risks in Fentanyl Use
A new survey shows that more Colorado teens now recognize the dangers of fentanyl and prescription drug misuse.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The 2026 Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey reports that teens in Colorado increasingly identify fentanyl and prescription pills as significant health risks. While awareness of these dangers has grown, the survey also indicates a decline in perceived risk for alcohol and vaping among the 700 participants aged 12-17.
Why it matters
Understanding how youth perception of substance risk is evolving helps health officials and parents identify gaps in prevention programming. Colorado has utilized opioid settlement funds to support these educational efforts, aiming to influence how teens perceive the danger of potent synthetic substances.
This biennial online survey of 700 Colorado teens aged 12-17 shows a significant shift in perceived risk for opioids. While fentanyl awareness rose to 77%, the impact of these findings on actual long-term behavior or usage rates remains under investigation.
The players
Rise Above Colorado
An organization that uses opioid settlement funds to support drug risk prevention efforts for youth.
The details
The Rise Above Colorado initiative leverages funding from opioid manufacturer settlements to target drug prevention education across the state. This approach seeks to adjust youth perceptions by highlighting the addictive nature of prescription pain relievers and the lethal potential of counterfeit pills. Despite these prevention efforts, the survey data highlights a concurrent decrease in the perceived risks of alcohol and vaping, suggesting that substance-specific messaging may have variable success.
Timeline
2020: 9% of teens reported vaping.
2022: Teen alcohol and vaping use levels were established.
2024: Previous Rise Above Colorado survey data points were collected.
2026: The Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey was conducted.
Health Landscape
Public health efforts in Colorado are currently anchored by the distribution of opioid manufacturer settlement funds to combat synthetic drug use. These initiatives represent a broader push to pivot away from general anti-drug messaging toward evidence-based prevention of high-risk synthetic substances.
Parents and guardians can use these findings to open age-appropriate conversations about the dangers of prescription pills and fentanyl. If you are concerned about a teen's habits, it is worth discussing potential screening resources with a primary care physician.
The takeaway
While teen awareness of fentanyl risks is rising in Colorado, the decline in perceived dangers regarding alcohol and vaping warrants continued parental supervision. Openly discussing the risks of non-prescribed pill use remains a vital preventive habit for families.
Further reading
Learn more about youth prevention efforts in the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Public Radio.
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