Funded by a 2018 SAMHSA grant to the North Colorado Health Alliance, the Colorado Opioid Synergy - Larimer & Weld (CO-SLOW) project, based on a "hub and spoke" model, involves close collaboration among seven opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment sites (spokes) to increase the availability of buprenorphine dosing in hospitals, emergency departments, and jails. Other objectives include formalizing referrals to the care network and establishing a local hub where OUD treatment shares the same facilities as primary care. The project aims to engage a minimum of 350 new clients in OUD treatment from Northern Colorado, thus reducing the gap in treatment by at least 10%. 

There is collaboration among many different organizations to deliver comprehensive care in this model, including counselors, case managers, and peer recovery specialist, in a multitude of settings, including jails, emergency departments, hospitals, and primary care offices.  

A process and outcome evaluation is underway by the Butler Institute for Families (University of Denver) that will measure reductions in substance use and improvements in client functioning. 

More detailed information on the program can be found in this presentation.