How to Get Free Narcan in Boulder, CO

Narcan (naloxone) reverses opioid overdoses and is completely free in Boulder — no ID, no prescription, no questions asked. Here's exactly where to get it and how to use it.

Fentanyl has changed everything. It's in the supply in ways nobody expected — pressed pills, powders, things that don't look like opioids at all. People are dying from first-time exposures, from unexpected contamination, from things that were never supposed to be dangerous.

Narcan (naloxone) is the antidote. It reverses an opioid overdose within minutes, works on fentanyl, and has no effect whatsoever if opioids aren't present in the body. Carrying it costs you nothing. Using it could save a life.

In Boulder, you can get it for free. Here's how.

The Works Program — Your Main Source

The Works is Boulder County Public Health's harm reduction program. They distribute Narcan completely free — no ID, no insurance, no intake form, no questions about why you want it.

Address: Boulder County Public Health, 3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
Hours: Monday–Friday, during business hours. Walk in directly.

📞 Text/Call to Find the Van — 720-864-6515

The Works Mobile Van

The Works also runs a mobile outreach van that comes to where people are. It's often parked near Central Park or around Longmont's HOPE center — but the location changes day to day. Text or call 720-864-6515 to find out exactly where it is today.

The van carries: Narcan nasal spray, clean syringes, fentanyl test strips, basic wound care supplies, and information about getting into treatment if you want it (no pressure if you don't).

What Else You Can Get For Free

💉
Clean syringes / needle exchangeNo limit. No judgment. Exchanging reduces disease transmission dramatically.
🧪
Fentanyl test stripsTest your supply before using. A positive result means fentanyl is present — adjust accordingly or don't use alone.
🩹
Basic wound careAbscesses, infections, injuries — they'll help or refer you to care.
💉
VaccinationsHepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and others — free, no appointment needed.

How to Use Narcan — The Basics

Signs of an opioid overdose: Slow or stopped breathing, blue lips or fingertips, unresponsive, gurgling or snoring sounds (called the "death rattle"), pinpoint pupils, limp body.

1
Call 911 firstTell them someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Colorado's Good Samaritan law protects you.
2
Give NarcanNasal spray: tilt head back, insert tip in one nostril, press plunger firmly. One dose.
3
Do rescue breathing if you know howOne breath every 5 seconds while you wait.
4
Give a second dose after 2–3 minutes if no responseFentanyl may require multiple doses. Keep going until EMS arrives.
5
Recovery positionIf they start breathing, roll them onto their side so they don't choke if they vomit.

💡 Important: Narcan wears off in 30–90 minutes, but fentanyl lasts longer. Someone can go back into overdose after the Narcan wears off. Stay with them and make sure EMS arrives before you leave.

You Don't Have to Use Drugs to Carry Narcan

Carry it if you're around people who use drugs. Carry it if you work with the homeless community. Carry it if you've ever found someone unresponsive and not known what to do. You don't need a reason — you just need to have it when it matters.

"Having Narcan isn't enabling. It's the same logic as having a fire extinguisher — you hope you never need it, but you're glad it's there."