Attorney General Weiser honors recovery leaders and accepts certification as a Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace

Attorney General Weiser honors recovery leaders and accepts certification as a Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace

Oct. 28, 2025 (Loveland, Colo.) - At the 4th Annual Colorado Opioid Abatement Conference yesterday, Attorney General Phil Weiser honored organizations across the state for their leadership in advancing recovery, reducing stigma, and promoting best practices related to substance use.

The event also marked a milestone for the Colorado Department of Law, which received certification as a Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace, becoming one of the first state agencies to earn the designation. The certification was presented to Attorney General Weiser at the conference by the Colorado School of Public Health through its Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, recognizing employers that promote well-being, inclusion, and second-chance employment for individuals in recovery.

"Recovery thrives when we replace stigma with support and create pathways to healing in every corner of our state," said Attorney General Weiser. "I'm proud that our department has earned certification as a Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace and honored to recognize the Coloradans who are leading by example in workplaces, jails, and communities across Colorado."

Three organizations were recognized as Recovery Friendly Workplace Champions for embedding recovery support and second-chance opportunities into their workplace culture:

• Absolute Caulking & Waterproofing (Wheat Ridge) - recognized for redefining recovery culture in Colorado's construction industry through structured treatment pathways and health-focused safety programs.
• Odie B's (Denver) - honored for creating a restaurant culture that supports staff in recovery through mentorship, mental health resources, and inclusive employment practices.
• Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (Englewood) - commended for ensuring all managers completed Recovery Friendly Leader training and integrating recovery principles into organizational policies.

Weiser also honored three correctional partners as Peer Recovery Jail Champions for expanding access to treatment and peer support in carceral settings:

• Larimer County Jail Division - for pioneering in-jail peer recovery programs and strong community re-entry partnerships.
• Weld County Jail - for embedding peer support into its Medication-Addiction Treatment program, increasing engagement in recovery services.
• Denver County Jail - for integrating full-time peer specialists into its opioid treatment program to ensure continuous support before and after release.

Hosted by Attorney General Weiser, the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council, and the Colorado Department of Law, this year's conference brought together hundreds of leaders in public health, law enforcement, behavioral health, and community recovery. Sessions focused on trauma-informed care, youth leadership, voices of lived experience, both of loss and individuals in recovery, and innovative uses of opioid settlement funds.

In his closing remarks, Attorney General Weiser noted that Colorado's progress comes from partners across the state working together to support recovery and save lives. The event builds on long-term investments made possible through more than $880 million recovered by the attorney general from opioid manufacturers and distributors, which he has directed toward addressing the opioid crisis, as outlined in a joint opioid framework agreement between the state and local governments (PDF).

A total of $23 million in new funding opportunities was also announced this month to build on that progress. The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council has launched the fourth round of Infrastructure Share funding for community-based prevention, treatment and recovery efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

The Colorado Department of Law also opened the Resilient Colorado Grant to support programs addressing the impacts of opioid use while strengthening youth well-being, behavioral health workforce development, family support, successful transitions after incarceration, and peer leadership.

Applications for both programs are now open, with funding expected to begin in 2026.

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