CSPD issues Public Safety Alert as overdoses linked to carfentanil – 100 times deadlier than fentanyl – rise in Colorado Springs

Carfentanil, an incredibly potent synthetic opioid, is known to be 100 times stronger than its well-known counterpart, fentanyl. It requires a minuscule dose of just 0.02 milligrams to potentially cause death, compared to the 2 milligrams that can be lethal for fentanyl.

As of November 12, 2025, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has recorded 61 fatal drug overdose cases this year, with fentanyl or carfentanil identified as contributing factors in 29 of them.

The Colorado Springs Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the CSPD's Metro Division - Narcotics Unit have collectively seized over 700,000 fentanyl pills in 2025. Since September of this year, nearly 28,000 of those pills contained carfentanil. These seizures are part of active and ongoing investigations; therefore, additional information on these cases cannot be released at this time.

A large portion of these seizures have featured the substance in the form of "M30" tablets, often misleading as they resemble legitimate prescription medications. However, law enforcement has also encountered carfentanil in powdered form, which is typically white. Of these recent seizures, the department has seen a variety of mixed compounds, including the combination of fentanyl and carfentanil.

The "M30" tablets have been observed in a variety of colors, primarily shades of blue and green, as shown below. The color of the pills does not provide any evidence to suggest the potency and/or the presence of fentanyl, carfentanil, or a combination of the two. To accurately identify their true chemical composition, a laboratory analysis is necessary.

These mixtures and the presence of carfentanil pose a significant risk to the community due to their potency and dangers associated with accidental exposures.

Naloxone, commonly referred to by its brand name Narcan, serves as a life-saving emergency antidote for opioid overdoses. However, naloxone may not be effective against carfentanil due to its potency, even when administered in standard doses. In cases of overdose involving carfentanil or similar substances, multiple high doses of naloxone may be necessary to counteract the drug's effects.

If you encounter suspected fentanyl pills or powder, do not handle them or clean the area yourself. Instead, immediately contact the Colorado Springs Police Department.

If you have information regarding narcotics activity, please call CSPD at 719-444-7000. If you wish to remain anonymous, please call Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP(7867) or submit a tip online at Submit A Tip - Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers.

You can find more information at:

• Home | DEA.gov
• Fentanyl Free America | DEA.gov
• "Carfentanil: A Synthetic Opioid Unlike Any Other
• Colorado Springs Police Department | City of Colorado Springs