Inside the Harm Reduction Action Center at 112 E 8th Avenue, staff have long worked to keep neighbors alive by providing sterile syringes and overdose prevention materials. Now, the city is pouring an extra $239,376 into that mission.
The Denver City Council officially approved a contract amendment on March 17 to boost funding for the center's Syringe Access Program. This infusion raises the organization's total contract value to $728,752, ensuring the facility can continue its critical work serving the entire city despite rising demand.
While the center operates within the Capitol Hill neighborhood, its services extend citywide. The funding supports the distribution of sterile equipment, education on HIV and hepatitis transmission, and naloxone for overdose reversal. The Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, which manages the contract for the center, will administer these expanded resources without changing the current service timeline or operational hours.
This vote reflects a broader shift in Denver's approach to public health, moving toward harm reduction strategies backed by the Opioid Settlement Fund. The approved amendment secures resources through the existing contract term, allowing the center to maintain its stock of life-saving supplies as the local opioid crisis continues to evolve.
Residents wishing to track future funding decisions or attend related public discussions can visit Denver City Hall. The council's next regularly scheduled meeting for review purposes is set for April 28, 2025. Further details on the legislation are available through the city's legislative portal.