The Works Program

Receive Works Program Materials by Mail

Because COVID-19 has caused an interruption to our direct services, we are now offering harm reduction materials by mail. This option is only available for current Works participants and materials can only be mailed to a Boulder County address.

Request Works Materials by Mail

COVID-19 Works Program Hours

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Works program services in Boulder County have been modified.

Calling ahead for harm reduction services is highly recommended.

Lafayette
1735 S. Public Road
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call ahead: 720-564-2708.
This location requires all people to be assessed at a triage tent outside the main entrance prior to parking for Works services.

Longmont
515 Coffman St., Second Floor
Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call ahead: 720-864-6515.
Public access to both buildings in Longmont and Lafayette is prohibited. Staff can be reached by phone and will deliver supplies outside for participants. A notice with directions for placing orders is available at both locations.

Boulder
The Works office at 3482 N. Broadway St. in Boulder has been closed indefinitely.

Services are available for normal days and hours at Boulder County AIDS Project and Mental Health Partners. See locations.

COVID-19 Safety Procedures

Except for the Mental Health Partners location, services are by phone appointment only during business hours. There will be no access inside the buildings.

Please call ahead to the location you will access.
Staff will confirm your participation in the program and will verify the supplies you need.
At confirmed time, staff will meet you outside the building to deliver supplies.
Please maintain at least 6 feet from staff and wear a face covering.

Syringe Disposal

Outdoor Syringe Collection containers are available 24 hours everyday at Mental Health Partners (at the front entrance) and Boulder County Public Health Longmont (along the northwest side of the building).

Testing Services

Free, at-home HIV testing services will be offered by Boulder County AIDS Project. A prevention staff member will set up a one-on-one confidential testing session by phone, have a touch-free hand off of the test and safer sex supplies, and will follow-up after the test to collect the self-reported test result and provide further resources and additional support if necessary. At this time hepatitis C testing is not being offered.

Learn What to Expect at an Exchange

Safer Injection Supplies

The Works Program provides harm reduction supplies to keep people safe. The intention is that a person will access enough supplies so that every shot is with a clean needle for themselves and for their network of peers.

Sharps containers
ID card to protect from paraphernalia charges
Safer sex supplies
Syringes
Cookers
Waters
Cottons
Alcohol wipes
Antibacterial ointment
Bandages
Ties
Literature and advice about safer injection practices

Services

Education Services

Works Program staff provide harm reduction education about safer practices including:

Wound care and vein health
HIV & hepatitis C testing and harm reduction counseling
Vaccinations for influenza, hepatitis A and B, and Tdap
Referral to addiction recovery services
Overdose Prevention & Response
Naloxone (Narcan)
Safety manual for people who inject drugs

Connection to Services

The Works Program is dedicated to supporting clients by connecting them with a variety of community resources.

The Works Program connects clients to:

Food assistance
Housing assistance
Clothing assistance
Inpatient, outpatient, and medication assisted treatment
Mental health treatment
Sober living
Shelter resources
Medical support
Medicaid or other health insurance options

If clients have special needs, staff will work to find solutions.

Criminal Justice Diversion Services

The Works Program is committed to serving people who inject drugs who have been diverted out of the criminal justice system through law enforcement or court officials.

In addition to syringe access, safer injection supplies, education services, and case management, diversion clients receive screening to assess the risk of their use, and access to a counselor.

To access criminal justice system diversion services, please email us or call 303-413-7546.

Locations

All services are free, confidential, or anonymous. You do not have to provide your name.

Syringe Access Locations

Boulder

Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP)
2118 14th Street – 303-444-6121
Monday – Friday 2pm-5pm

Boulder County Public Health
3482 Broadway – 303-413-7500
Monday – Friday 10:30am-4:30pm

Mental Health Partners
3180 Airport Road – 303-441-1281
24 hours, every day

Lafayette

Boulder County Public Health
Clinica Lafayette Building – 720-564-2708
1735 South Public Road, First Floor
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 – 4:30 p.m.
No service or ten packs available outside of these hours

Longmont

Boulder County Public Health
515 Coffman, Suite 200 – 303-864-6515
Monday – Friday 10:30am-4:30pm

Get Trained for Overdose Reversal

Syringe Litter

Proper Disposal of Syringe Litter

Finding a needle or syringe in public can be alarming. Boulder County Public Health does outreach, walks our parks, and communicates with the public about their concerns.

People who don’t feel comfortable picking up used needles should not do it.

But, for those who want to take action or are already doing so, here are some basic safety guidelines to follow:

Treat all used needles as contaminated, diseases can spread through needle pokes.
Never pick up a needle with your bare hands, wear gloves.
Wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet.
Use a tool like tongs, pliers, or tweezers to pick up needles.
Don’t discard needles in the trash. Use a sharps container or hard plastic container like a laundry detergent bottle.
Put the sharps container on a stable surface next to the needle. Avoid walking a far distance carrying a used needle.
Do not hold the container in your hand while placing needles inside it.
Pick up needles with the point facing away from you and place them in the container point down.
Remove gloves carefully to avoid contact with the contaminated fluid.
Wash hands well afterward.
If you find discarded needles in your neighborhood, but you don’t feel comfortable picking them up, there are city services available, but these services can become overwhelmed.

Report Syringe Litter

If you see syringe litter in a public place you can report it to the local jurisdiction. See the table below for contact information.

Community	Contact Information or Website Where You Can Report Syringe Litter
City of Boulder	Inquire Boulder
City of Boulder, Open Space and Mountain Parks	Report a Concern
Broomfield	Contact Form
Erie	303-926-2870 or Service Request
Jamestown	Town of Jamestown
Lafayette	Request Tracker
Louisville	303-335-4735
Longmont	Service Request or Public Safety Report Online
Lyons	303-823-6622 or Citizens Request Tracker
Nederland	303-258-3167 or Report an Issue
Superior	303-499-3675 or Superior Click and Fix

About Syringe Access

Syringe Access Services

Since 1989, Works Program staff and volunteer peer educators have provided outreach, education, and syringe exchange/access services to reduce HIV and hepatitis C transmission among people who inject drugs, and their partners.

The program uses harm-reduction practices founded in public health research to reduce the spread of disease and increase the safe disposal of syringes. Syringe access programs have been proven to reduce syringe litter, reduce overdose deaths, reduce the spread of disease and associated health care costs, and increase entry into substance use disorder treatment.

Addiction is a chronic neurological disorder that should be treated like other chronic illnesses. In fact, people who use substances (and syringe access programs) come from all walks of life at similar rates. Removing stigma and shame can help people living with substance use disorders seek help.

Best Practices, Research, & Data about Syringe Access Programs

The Works Program is a safe, legal, confidential, and non-judgmental place to get free injection supplies, support, and links to other resources to stay safe and healthy.