Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Boulder, Colorado

For years, Boulder was a popular location for marijuana use. In the 1960s, young people would smoke the drug to relax or to make a political statement. More than 50 years later, students at the University of Colorado Boulder have continued that tradition. Recreational marijuana use is legal in Colorado. On April 20, thousands of cannabis smokers once appeared on campus to celebrate the unofficial marijuana holiday. To combat this annual activity, the college’s administration expressed its desire to remove the event from campus. Today, university policy prohibits marijuana use on campus. A 2011 report by The Daily Beast and Newsweek named the University of Colorado Boulder the “druggiest” college in the United States. The authors used drug arrest statistics and national data to reach this conclusion. However, the number of liquor violations on campus fell from 767 in 2011 to 394 in 2013, according to The Daily Nebraskan. The newspaper outlet also reported that the number of drug violations on campus also decreased, dropping from 442 in 2011 to 199 in 2013. In Boulder County, heroin overdose has been a problem. Thirteen people in Boulder County died from heroin overdose in 2014, according to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. Fifteen people in that area died of heroin overdose the previous year.

Boulder County citizens support government efforts to prevent and treat drug abuse and addiction in the area. Local governments and school districts provide counseling services and drug abuse prevention programs, and local law enforcement agencies work together to keep illegal drugs off the streets.

Boulder Community Substance Abuse Prevention

The Boulder County Community Substance Abuse Prevention Program aims to prevent and reduce drug abuse in the area by providing community-based educational programs and advocating for policy changes. The program includes screening and referral services and offers classes for students and adults.

Boulder Valley Schools Substance Abuse Prevention

The Boulder Valley School District supports a variety of drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs, such as the Gateway Drug Peer Educators program. Through this initiative, students from local high schools are trained to give presentations regarding drug abuse, health and wellness to local middle school students.

Longmont Counseling Services

The city of Longmont’s Children, Youth and Families services offers free short-term counseling services to help families confront a variety of issues, including those stemming from drug abuse. Counseling services can be found in a number of schools in the St. Vrain Valley School District and are available in English or Spanish.

Boulder Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership

The Boulder County Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership helps community coalitions and organizations work to reduce tobacco initiation and use among teens and young adults in Boulder County. The partnership also helps businesses promote smoke-free work places and advocates for policy changes.

Boulder County Drug Task Force

Officers from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville and University of Colorado police departments make up the Boulder County Drug Task Force. The agencies collaborate to investigate drug violations and crime related to drug trafficking in Boulder County.

Many nonprofits strive to reduce substance abuse in Boulder. These organizations implement prevention, education and intervention programs aimed to promote healthy lifestyles.

Healthy Futures Coalition

The Healthy Futures Coalition in Boulder County comprises community organizations, health care providers and government agencies that work together to reduce drug abuse and addiction. The organizations share resources to promote healthy attitudes regarding drugs and alcohol among Boulder County residents.

iTHRIVE

Based in Longmont, the Alternatives for Youth iTHRIVE program targets teens struggling with drug abuse and addiction in Boulder County. The program was developed in 2011 as an early intervention program for teens and parents suffering from addiction. Today, it promotes healthy development for all youth in the community.

Natural Highs

The Natural Highs program uses alternative and traditional methods to provide drug abuse prevention and intervention programs to students at high schools in Boulder and at Naropa University. Natural Highs is also home to peer-mentorship programs and leadership groups composed of Boulder students.

Boulder Prevention and Intervention

The Boulder County Prevention & Intervention Program strives to prevent drug abuse in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain school districts and to help students recover from addiction. The program’s counselors can help with topics ranging from depression and suicide to family and peer conflict.

If you’d like to give back to the community and help individuals recovering from addiction in Boulder, a pair of organizations can use your skills.

I Have a Dream Foundation

The I Have a Dream Foundation in Boulder County aims to help youth from low-income families avoid drugs and succeed in life. The foundation provides educational programs, mentors and other support services. It needs volunteers who can help with mentoring, tutoring, photography, graphic design and a variety of other efforts.

Phoenix Multisport Sober Active Community

The Phoenix Multisport Sober Active Community in Boulder is a group of individuals — including some in recovery — who pursue a sober lifestyle through activities such as climbing, hiking, running and biking. The organization needs volunteers who can assist instructors, coordinate mailing lists, work aid stations or perform a variety of other tasks.

Boulder County is filled with many sober activities for people in recovery. Locals can enjoy outdoor activities, browse unique shops and peruse numerous museums. Many of these things have contributed to the city of Boulder being named the Happiest City in the United States.

Many organizations and educational institutions in Boulder help people in recovery develop job skills and find employment. For those looking to stay in Boulder after treatment, trained professionals can assist job seekers with writing resumes and coach them for interviews and networking opportunities.

The City of Boulder, Colorado

The City of Boulder offers various resources for job seekers. The city’s website features job resources, including a list of featured jobs and internships. Additionally, those interested in a career in criminal justice can find employment and volunteer opportunities with the Boulder Police Department.

Workforce Boulder County

Workforce Boulder County helps people develop vocational skills through a variety of resources. Its career services department includes a computer resource center, career counseling, job referrals and other career development resources. Its business services department provides labor market information and connects job seekers with businesses through Connecting Colorado, a statewide job database. The organization holds career events and workshops throughout the year.

Career Training at Nearby Colleges

The University of Colorado Boulder, Naropa University and Front Range Community College offer numerous career resources that help students develop job skills, locate employment opportunities and prepare for interviews. The University of Colorado Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder employs career counselors who help students write resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews and negotiate salaries. The career service department hosts career workshops and events. It also provides networking opportunities and other career resources. Naropa University Naropa University assists students in identifying talents and exploring careers through the Office of Career and Community Engagement. Career service representatives help students locate volunteer work, potential employers and internship opportunities. The department also assists them in preparing for interviews and writing cover letters and resumes. Front Range Community College Front Range Community College’s Boulder County campus offers career consultation and assessment tests through its career services department. The school also provides job and internship listings, labor market information and networking opportunities.