Colorado recently emerged as an epicenter of drug policy reform in this country. Within the last two years, the state enacted bold reforms to sentencing, parole, and re-entry into communities, legalized syringe exchange programs, and adopted the most comprehensive medical marijuana regulations in the nation.

 

In 2011 Drug Policy Alliance expanded its state-based advocacy to Colorado and appointed Denver-based Art Way to its first staff position in the Centennial State. Building on recent statewide reforms, DPA's Colorado priorities are to minimize the costly and ineffective role of the criminal justice system in addressing drug-related issues, to increase statewide support for proven, health-centered drug policies such as expanded access to sterile syringes, and to help create the climate for a successful voter initiative to legalize marijuana for adults in Colorado as soon as 2012.