The rates of death caused by illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine have skyrocketed and the two drugs remain the most common causes of overdose deaths in the state. Meth became the most deadly drug in Colorado in 2017—overtaking prescription opioids—and then in 2020 fentanyl became the most common killer.
Drug overdose deaths in Colorado
Per 100,000 people, adjusted for age, 2000-2021