The Works Program

Works Program Locations

Boulder

Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP)
2118 14th Street
Monday – Friday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
303-444-6121

Mental Health Partners
3180 Airport Road
7 days a week, 24 hours a day
303-443-8500

Lafayette
1735 S. Public Road
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
720-564-2708.
Services are provided outside of Clinica Family Health building, at West facing Works Program office door. For HIV and hepatitis C testing services, this location requires all people to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms inside main entrance prior to appointment.

Longmont
515 Coffman St., Second Floor
Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
720-864-6515.
Public access is through the west and east entrances. All Works participants must check-in with the front desk in the main lobby prior to in person services. Staff can still deliver supplies outside for participants if desired.

Syringe Disposal

Outdoor syringe collection kiosks are available 24 hours every day at Mental Health Partners (at the front entrance) and Boulder County Public Health Longmont (along the northwest side of the building).

Testing Services

Free, confidential and rapid HIV and hepatitis C testing is available in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont. Appointments are recommended, but testing may also be available at time of Works Program service, depending on staff availability.

Call to Make a Testing Appointment

• Boulder: 720-893-1297
• Lafayette: 720-564-2708
• Longmont: 720-864-6515

Learn What to Expect at an Exchange

Harm Reduction Supplies

The Works Program provides harm reduction supplies to keep people who use drugs safer. The intention is that a person will access enough supplies so that every use is with sterile/new equipment 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
• Glass pipes
• Silicone containers
• Foil
• Pipe mouthpiece covers
• Razor blades
• Straws
• Push sticks/manicure sticks
• Xylitol gum
• Lip balm
• Narcan
• Fentanyl test strips
• Literature and advice about safer injection practices

Education & Case Management Services

Works Program staff provide harm reduction education about safer substance use 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 substance use disorder (SUD) support 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. Case management is an option for Works participants who need additional assistance navigating referral services. For more information on case management please email kweigman@bouldercounty.org.

The Works Program connects clients to:

• Food assistance
• Housing assistance
• Clothing assistance
• Inpatient, outpatient, and medication assisted substance use treatment
• Mental health treatment
• Sober living
• Shelter resources
• Medical support, including sexual health
• 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.

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.

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.