4E7531F0BAFA265387258A0400535A6B Hearing Summary

Keith Weis, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), presented to the committee. He spoke on the efforts of HIDTA to get illicit drugs off of the streets and investigate criminal groups. The highest threat that has increased the most over the last few years was fentanyl. Overdose deaths, however, seem to have leveled off since 2022. The seizure rate of many illicit drugs have fallen as compared to the last few years, but seizure rates of fentanyl have increased over the last few years. HIDTA also has an ODMAP program that tracks overdose data.

The committee asked where the fentanyl is coming from and how the state is combatting entry. Director Weiss stated that much of the fentanyl is coming from foreign countries and is being transported through souther states into Colorado through transnational criminal organizations. There is also a coordination in law enforcement across all levels to combat the drugs entry.

The committee asked about the percentage of overdoses that are incidental with fentanyl. Director Weiss stated that the data is not clear on how much fentanyl is incidental, but that there is incidental fentanyl. He additionally stated that a lot of fentanyl use is purposeful.

The committee asked about the drop off of certain illicit drug supplies. Director Weiss stated that purity levels of drugs are at an all time high and that drugs are still at a high level, even if they may be falling.