Good Morning, Colorado, you’re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Thursday February 4th, and even though there’s a lot of turmoil right now we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you.

Today - In Denver, overdoses involving fentanyl more than doubled in 2020 compared with the year before. Steve Kotecki, the public affairs specialist with the Denver field office of the DEA spoke with The Colorado Sun about what’s contributing to this rise.

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

Today, we’re going back to February 4th, 1954 when William, or Billy, Adams, the first Colorado Governor elected to three consecutive terms, passed away. He was a political force for decades and offered an effective voice for rural Coloradans.

Now, our feature story.

For the past several years, law enforcement and public health officials have warned that fentanyl -- a potent, synthetic opioid powder causing a spike in overdoses on the coasts -- would soon arrive in Colorado. 

And based on the latest statistics, it’s clearly here.

Statewide, overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than doubled, rising 111% to 452 deaths last year from 214 in 2019. 

Health officials worried that the coronavirus pandemic, which kept people isolated and led to increased rates of anxiety and depression, would also lead to more drug deaths. Data released at the close of 2020 proved those fears true.

Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown spoke with Steve Kotecki, the public affairs specialist with the Denver field office of the DEA, to find out how fentanyl arrived in Colorado.

Kotecki and Brown also discussed the counterfeit oxycodone that’s sold on the streets, and why it’s so dangerous. 

State Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat, said Colorado is already behind in addressing fentanyl overdoses, but she does not have plans to introduce legislation that would allow a supervised drug consumption site. 

Herod, who traveled to Vancouver a couple of years ago to visit a government-sanctioned drug injection site, said there is plenty of evidence showing the sites save lives. She said she would support one here if that’s what the community wants. Such a site could warn people about fentanyl, help detect it in the drugs brought on site, and coordinate with law enforcement to make sure dealers are caught.

To learn more about this story visit us at Coloradosun.com.

Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:

The three men killed in an avalanche on Monday near Silverton have been identified as prominent Eagle County community members. One of the victims, Adam Palmer, was a newly elected Town of Eagle trustee. Another was Andy Jessen, who co-founded Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. Seth Bossung was the third man who died in the avalanche. He managed projects for the county’s energy efficiency department.

State Senator Kerry Donovan has filed paperwork launching her campaign to unseat Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert next year. Donovan is a Vail Democrat. She is citing Boebert’s tumultuous start in Washington, D.C. She joins a Democratic primary field that includes Gregg Smith, a businessman and rancher who lives in Westcliffe, and Colin Wilhelm, a Glenwood Springs lawyer.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. And don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, you&rsquo;re listening to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Thursday February 4th, and even though there&rsquo;s a lot of turmoil right now we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you.
Today - In Denver, overdoses involving fentanyl more than doubled in 2020 compared with the year before. Steve Kotecki, the public affairs specialist with the Denver field office of the DEA spoke with The Colorado Sun about what&rsquo;s contributing to this rise.
But before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
Today, we&rsquo;re going back to February 4th, 1954 when William, or Billy, Adams, the first Colorado Governor elected to three consecutive terms, passed away. He was a political force for decades and offered an effective voice for rural Coloradans.
Now, our feature story.
For the past several years, law enforcement and public health officials have warned that fentanyl -- a potent, synthetic opioid powder causing a spike in overdoses on the coasts -- would soon arrive in Colorado.&nbsp;
And based on the latest statistics, it&rsquo;s clearly here.
Statewide, overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than doubled, rising 111% to 452 deaths last year from 214 in 2019.&nbsp;
Health officials worried that the coronavirus pandemic, which kept people isolated and led to increased rates of anxiety and depression, would also lead to more drug deaths. Data released at the close of 2020 proved those fears true.
Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown spoke with Steve Kotecki, the public affairs specialist with the Denver field office of the DEA, to find out how fentanyl arrived in Colorado.
Kotecki and Brown also discussed the counterfeit oxycodone that&rsquo;s sold on the streets, and why it&rsquo;s so dangerous.&nbsp;
State Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat, said Colorado is already behind in addressing fentanyl overdoses, but she does not have plans to introduce legislation that would allow a supervised drug consumption site.&nbsp;
Herod, who traveled to Vancouver a couple of years ago to visit a government-sanctioned drug injection site, said there is plenty of evidence showing the sites save lives. She said she would support one here if that&rsquo;s what the community wants. Such a site could warn people about fentanyl, help detect it in the drugs brought on site, and coordinate with law enforcement to make sure dealers are caught.
To learn more about this story visit us at Coloradosun.com.
Before we go, here are a few stories that you should know about today:
The three men killed in an avalanche on Monday near Silverton have been identified as prominent Eagle County community members. One of the victims, Adam Palmer, was a newly elected Town of Eagle trustee. Another was Andy Jessen, who co-founded Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. Seth Bossung was the third man who died in the avalanche. He managed projects for the county&rsquo;s energy efficiency department.
State Senator Kerry Donovan has filed paperwork launching her campaign to unseat Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert next year. Donovan is a Vail Democrat. She is citing Boebert&rsquo;s tumultuous start in Washington, D.C. She joins a Democratic primary field that includes Gregg Smith, a businessman and rancher who lives in Westcliffe, and Colin Wilhelm, a Glenwood Springs lawyer.
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>. And don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow for a special holiday episode. Now, a quick message from our editor.
The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.
Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

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