Colorado Teens View Fentanyl Risks More Seriously

The 2026 Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey shows growing awareness of fentanyl dangers among state teens.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Bold vector editorial illustration of a pine tree silhouette against mountain shapes, representing youth awareness in Colorado. — A 2026 survey in Colorado shows teens are increasingly aware of the severe dangers of fentanyl, reflecting successful prevention education efforts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust education and prevention efforts to effectively reduce teen substance use in your area?

The 2026 Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey reveals that teens in Colorado increasingly perceive fentanyl as a major risk. While awareness of synthetic opioid dangers has risen, the survey indicates that teen perception of risks associated with alcohol, marijuana, and vaping is declining.

Why it matters

Colorado has directed funds from opioid manufacturer settlements into drug risk prevention education. These efforts appear to be shaping teen attitudes toward prescription pills and fentanyl, even as other substance use concerns persist.

The 2026 survey of 700 teens found 77% perceive great risk in fentanyl use, a significant increase from 51% in 2024. Conversely, only 15% now view alcohol as a great risk, down from 25%.

The players

Rise Above Colorado

This is a statewide organization focused on preventing substance abuse among youth through education and community investment.

The details

Researchers found that 91% of participants would intervene to prevent a friend from using a potential fentanyl pill, reflecting a stronger sense of peer responsibility. However, only 20% of teens agreed their schoolwork is meaningful, a sharp decline from 40% in 2024.

2020: 9% of teens reported vaping.
2022: Teen alcohol and vaping use levels were established.
2024: Previous data points for the Rise Above Colorado survey were collected.
2026: The current Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey was conducted.

The Big Picture

This research evaluates the practical influence of investments from opioid manufacturer settlements on public health outcomes. The findings demonstrate how targeted funding for substance use prevention alters perception metrics within the youth population.

The shift in teen perceptions suggests that public education campaigns are effectively highlighting the lethal risks of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Parents and guardians may use these findings to initiate informed discussions about drug safety and the importance of intervention.

The takeaway

The data highlights a clear success in educating teens on the high stakes of opioid use while underscoring a growing disconnect regarding school engagement and other common substances. Consistent monitoring remains essential to ensure prevention programs effectively address evolving trends in youth behavior.