The Works Program

The primary goal of the Works Program is to provide harm reduction supplies (sterile supplies for injecting, smoking and snorting drugs, as well as overdose prevention materials), education and resources to people who use drugs (PWUD) in Boulder County.

These services enable PWUD to reduce their risk of disease and overdose death, and increase access to referrals and linkage to supportive services including HIV and hepatitis C testing and treatment, hepatitis A and B immunizations, substance use recovery and mental health resources, etc.

The mission is to provide services in a safe, non-judgmental setting that welcomes, affirms and accepts everyone regardless of their current drug use practices. The program provides services within the context of harm reduction principles and guidelines, as outlined by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Receive Works Program Materials by Mail

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

Request Works Materials by Mail

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

In the Works Newsletter

In the Works is a community newsletter of updates, support, & personal stories.

2021

September

2020

September

2019

Supplies

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

Services

Education 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 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 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.

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.