By Lindsey Floyd, Staff Attorney
In August 2024, the Pueblo County District Court ruled that the ordinance that the City of Pueblo put in place in May 2024 to prohibit the operation of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in Pueblo is preempted by state law. This means that SEPs can continue operating in Pueblo, and the ordinance can no longer be enforced.
We sued the city of Pueblo back in June on behalf of Colorado Health Network and the Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (SCHRA). We argued that this ordinance violated Colorado laws that authorize the operation of SEPs without the need for local approval if they meet certain statutory requirements.
This case concerned the health and safety of all Coloradans. SEPs such as those operated by Colorado Health Network and SCHRA are a powerful tool in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including HIV and Hepatitis C. Additionally, SEPs cultivate a relationship with people who inject substances and can connect them to resources such as overdose prevention education, substance use disorder treatment providers, STI testing, and more.
This victory will save the lives of vulnerable people and protect our public health.