Last week, the Office of the Boulder County Coroner released its 2025 biannual drug report for the first half of the year, from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. The coroner’s office certified 171 deaths of the 1,206 deaths that occurred in Boulder County during this time range. Toxicology testing was conducted on 92 of these individuals and 73 were found to have a positive test for at least one drug with the majority having a positive test for multiple drugs. 33 of these deaths were caused by at least one drug according to the coroner’s report, which is 35.8 percent of the deceased individuals who received a toxicology test.
The number of drug deaths is down from 35 in the first half of 2024, a decline of 5.7 percent, but the coroner’s office notes that there was an increase in deaths attributed to fentanyl, methamphetamines, and polysubstance, which involves both fentanyl and methamphetamines. The report notes 24 deaths attributed to fentanyl and 22 for methamphetamines compared to 17 for each drug in the first half of 2024.
Gabapentin, a drug used to treat neuropathic pain and epilepsy among other conditions, was responsible for three deaths according to the report. Cocaine was also responsible for three deaths and alcohol caused two deaths during this time period. Four different anti-depressant drugs caused a collective five deaths while benzodiazepines caused two deaths.
THC/Cannabinoids were the most common drug occurrence in the coroner’s report with 41, but were not responsible for any deaths.
Fentanyl was present in 26 toxicology tests and deemed to be the cause of death in 24 of those cases. Methamphetamines were present in 25 toxicology tests and deemed to be the cause of 22 of those cases. 14 of the 33 deaths occurred in Longmont with 13 in Boulder. The average age of drug deaths in the county was 46 years old with 70 percent of the decedents being male and 30 percent female. 91 percent of the drug deaths were ruled an accident with 9 percent being considered a suicide or intentional death by drugs.
The coroner’s office collects and shares this data to help the community understand emerging public health concerns. The information is shared with police departments and health professionals. Community organizations can use this data to improve prevention through education and to develop targeted outreach programs.
“Our goal is transparency and collaboration,” the Boulder County Coroner’s Office said in a press release. “By sharing this data openly, we aim to provide insight into the challenges we face and support ongoing efforts to improve community health and safety.”
