Colorado C.R.S. 25-1.5-303 authorizes municipal syringe access programs. Denver Public Health operates the SHARP needle exchange providing safe syringe disposal kiosks and harm reduction services. Discarded needles are collected by DDPHE Vector Control teams.
Colorado Revised Statutes 25-1.5-303 authorizes local public health agencies to operate clean syringe access programs (SAPs). Denver Public Health (Denver Health Hospital Authority) and DDPHE jointly run the SHARP (Syringe Health Action Resource Program) providing one-for-one syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, HIV and HCV testing, and overdose prevention education. Discarded sharps in Denver are collected by DDPHE Vector Control teams responding to 311 reports; pedestrians should not handle loose needles. Sharps disposal kiosks are placed in priority neighborhoods, libraries, and parks. Possessing residual-amount paraphernalia under C.R.S. 18-18-428 is decriminalized for SAP participants. Pharmacies may sell syringes without prescription under C.R.S. 12-280-129, supporting safe disposal at home.
Improperly discarding sharps in public can violate DRMC chapter 24 nuisance and littering rules with fines up to $999. Possession of residual-only paraphernalia by an SAP participant is exempted from C.R.S. 18-18-428 prosecution.
Denver, CO
Denver Department of Public Health & Environment Vector Control Program enforces DRMC chapter 24 rodent provisions. Property owners must keep premises rat-fr...
Denver, CO
Denver Department of Public Health & Environment inspects every retail food establishment under DRMC chapter 24 and Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules....
Denver, CO
Colorado C.R.S. 25-4-1604 and the Retail Food Establishment Rules require every Denver food establishment to have a Certified Food Protection Manager on staf...
See how Denver's syringe disposal rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.