Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Background: In 2024, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) moved from collecting client-level data for all funded Syringe Access Program (SAP) interactions to an annual point-in-time survey (PiT). This change aligned with best practices for estimating demographic reach, client needs, and effectiveness of SAP services, while reducing data entry burden for SAP staff.

Methods: The PiT was administered to a sample of SAP participants in 2024 and 2025. Target sample sizes were calculated based on the estimated number of participants served annually at each SAP. Surveys were entered into REDCap, and analysis was completed using R. Infographics describing results were created and disseminated to funded SAPs and other stakeholders.

Results: 2,425 participants completed the PiT across 15 SAPs in 2024 and 2025. The average age of respondents was 43 years, most were White (48%) and/or Hispanic/Latine (32%). Men made up 66% of respondents, and 60% of respondents reported their housing status as homeless. The top SAP services included safer smoking/snorting supplies, syringe pickup, and Naloxone provision. The top SAP referrals were food/nutrition assistance, shelter/housing assistance and HIV Testing. 8% of participants reported sharing syringes/needles, and 25% reported reusing syringes or needles.

Implications: SAPs are a critical access point for prevention and supportive services. The proportion of respondents who reported syringe/needle sharing and reuse highlights the need for safer use education, increased access to sterile supplies, and expanded interventions that lower injection-related risks. Collecting this survey annually allows for monitoring of demographic shifts and changing needs over time. This data informs program improvement and planning, supports advocacy for continued funding, and guides expansion of services offered and referral networks.