Southeast Colorado Opioid Funds to Be Discussed

Residents of nine southeastern Colorado counties can learn how opioid settlement money is being directed to local programs.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Southeast Colorado Opioid Funds to Be Discussed

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The Southeast Colorado Opioid Region 19 (SECOR) will hold a press conference on November 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. The region governs how Colorado's Opioid Settlement Funds are distributed across nine southeastern counties, a decision that affects residents of mostly rural communities.

Why it matters

Opioid Settlement Funds flow from a national lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies over the opioid epidemic, and each state received an allocation to address the crisis. How those dollars are spent shapes access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for people in Region 19.

The governing structure is defined by the Colorado Attorney General's Office working with local governments to create regions for annual disbursement. Region 19 spans nine southeastern counties, but the source does not detail the total fund amount available or the allocation breakdown.

The players

Southeast Colorado Opioid Region (SECOR)

The regional governing board that decides how Opioid Settlement Funds are distributed across Region 19 for education, prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Colorado Attorney General's Office

The state office that took part in the national lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies over the opioid epidemic and helped establish the regional disbursement structure.

The details

The Colorado Attorney General's Office was part of a national lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies over the opioid epidemic, and each state was then awarded Opioid Settlement Funds. The Attorney General's Office worked with local governments to define regions for annual distribution, and the Southeast Colorado Opioid Region (SECOR) serves as the board that decides how funds are spent. SECOR's stated goals include education, prevention, treatment, recovery services, harm prevention, and criminal justice responses to the epidemic.

Timeline

  1. November 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.: SECOR press conference at the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office in Pueblo, Colorado.

Health Landscape

Opioid Settlement Funds stem from the multistate lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, and Colorado distributes them through regional boards rather than a single statewide program. Region 19's rural makeup places it among the parts of the state where distributing these funds across wide geographic areas is a central challenge.

Residents of the nine Region 19 counties may find new prevention, treatment, or recovery resources available through the funds SECOR directs. Anyone in these communities affected by opioid use is worth raising with a primary care clinician, who can point to local services.

The takeaway

Opioid Settlement Funds are being directed through regional boards, so the services available depend on where you live. If you or someone you know is seeking opioid treatment or recovery support, ask a local clinician or check the regional resource page for options near you.

What happens next

SECOR will hold a press conference on November 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, where the board is expected to share information about its work.

Further reading

Explore more on Substance Abuse efforts across Colorado and how states are directing settlement dollars toward prevention and recovery.

More information

Find local listings on the SECOR opioid resources information page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Prowers Journal.

Live Poll

Do you trust local officials to spend opioid settlement money well in your county?