Whereas Colorado lawmakers debate a invoice that will enhance legal penalties for possessing the lethal drug, a metropolis of Denver program providing free fentanyl testing strips and the overdose-reversing remedy naxolone to residents is working to meet up with demand.
“We’re overwhelmed (in a great way!) with the variety of folks requesting free Naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to maintain themselves and their family members protected,” town’s overdose prevention web site learn on Thursday. “As a result of enhance in requests, shipments are taking longer than standard to ship. We recognize your endurance.”
That website hyperlinks to a request kind for the provides. The invoice being debated on the statehouse additionally consists of funding for extra check strips and anti-overdose remedy.
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The Denver Division of Public Well being and Surroundings is working by way of a backlog of roughly 3,500 orders that began with a surge in demand in February, spokeswoman Courtney Meihls mentioned this week. Provide shortages contributed to that bottleneck however have since been cleared up and deliveries are outpacing new orders.
“Now that we’re receiving shipments, issues are transferring extra rapidly. We count on to be by way of the backlog within the subsequent few weeks,” Meihls mentioned. “After that, residents ought to count on to obtain their order inside one to 2 weeks, as long as we proceed to obtain our shipments from our distributor on time.”
This system launched in September. Over its first 4.5 months, Denver residents requested roughly 500 packages. Since mid-February, this system has seen greater than 4,700 orders together with 2,800 in simply 24 hours close to the top of that month, Meihls mentioned.
That surge got here across the time 5 associates have been discovered lifeless in a Commerce Metropolis condominium from fentanyl overdoses. Legislation enforcement officers say the group thought they have been utilizing cocaine.
For these in search of to acquire naxolone extra rapidly, town is directing folks to a map of pharmacies that may present the remedy, generally seen below the model title Narcan, with no prescription. The map is out there at stoptheclockcolorado.org. The remedy is roofed by most insurances suppliers, Meihls mentioned. The well being division additionally has an RV, the “Wellness Winnie” that makes weekly journeys by way of under-resourced elements of town offering naloxone, behavioral well being companies and different assist without spending a dime.
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At the least 900 folks died of fentanyl overdoses in Colorado final 12 months. That’s a 67% enhance over the 540 fentanyl overdoses confirmed in 2020, state well being division statistics present.
Lisa Raville, govt director of Denver’s Hurt Discount Motion Middle, known as the scenario “the worst overdose disaster we’ve ever been in.” A reality sheet the group launched final month explains that fentanyl is an artificial opioid 50 occasions extra highly effective than heroin. It’s typically discovered combined in with different substances together with meth and cocaine or pressed into capsule kind to resemble prescription painkillers. Its results are fast-acting and unpredictable.
The motion heart works with between 100 and 150 individuals who use medication every morning, providing clear syringes, pipes and assist assets, in response to its web site. It has been offering naxolone to its shoppers since 2012. Raville calls them the true first responders within the overdose disaster. The middle has been offering testing strips since 2018.
“Having DDPHE ship out Narcan and fentanyl testing strips is vital,” Raville mentioned of town’s program. “It’s vital that anybody strolling on earth or in Denver carries Narcan and assessments their medication earlier than they use.”
Dogs like Bailey — the former Dog of the Week in The Denver Post’s Adventurist newsletter — will be in good company at the first Denver Dog Fair this weekend. (Provided by Barbara Ellis)
Denver Dog Fair
Saturday-Sunday. Woof! If the last few weeks have left you panting, why not surround yourself with unconditional love? The first Denver Dog Fair takes place on Nov. 22 and 23 with the promise of unending poochie goodness. There will be dog adoption booths, “celebrity” dogs, performances and tricks, a dog-fashion show, vendors, a dozen food trucks, kids’ bounce house, crafting, and more.
It takes place indoors at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets: $20, good for both days; 5 and under free. $5 per dog. Price includes all entertainment and activities (minus adoption fees and food/drink). denverdogfair.com
Christkindlmarket and the Mile High Tree
Friday. The annual Mile High Tree at Civic Center park has quickly become a modern classic in Denver, with its 110-foot-tall display of 60,000, color-changing LED lights. Its location next to the annual Christkindlmarket and across from the brightly decorated Denver City & County Building makes it a one-stop shop for free family holiday fun.
At the 24th Christkindlmarket you’ll find local vendors plus Glühwein (mulled spiced wine), German biers and hot chocolate, Bavarian-style pretzels, fresh smoked salmon, Knödel, goulash, Nürnberger sausages, pastries, caramels and European chocolates. The tree’s light-and-music shows run from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly.
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The market and tree both open on Friday, Nov. 22, with the market running through Dec. 23. The market is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. denver.org/milehighholidays/mile-high-tree or christkindlmarketdenver.com
Charlie Fausette, 6, from Tampa, Fla., ice skates with her father Rob at Downtown Denver Rink in Denver on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Free ice skating downtown
Through Feb. 2, 2025. Whatever the weather, you can get a bit of holiday fun in by stopping by the popular Downtown Denver Rink. The rink, which basically bisects the 16th Street Mall’s Skyline Park (just outside the Daniels and Fisher Clocktower at 16th and Arapahoe streets), is a public rink where you can rent or bring your own skates.
It’s open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free; skate rentals are $12 for adults and $9 for kids 12 and under. winterindenver.com/rink
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready for photos at the Denver Christmas Show, this year moving to the National Western Complex. (Provided by Michelle Ellis)
A very merry Denver Christmas Show
Friday-Sunday. You don’t have to be in the market for gifts to get something out of the Denver Christmas Show at the National Western Complex. It’s a family-friendly affair, with Santa visits (and photos), daily storytime and hot cocoa with Mrs. Claus, live music, dancing, and more.
Of course, if you want to pick up some candy or chocolate, local gifts, or holiday decor, that will be right there too (with free gift wrapping), as well as plenty of other vendors. Tickets for the Friday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 24, event are $14 for 14-and-up, and free for 13-and-under. It runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver. denverchristmasshow.com
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Dallas Mavericks (8-7, 11th in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (8-5, fifth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Dallas seeks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Mavericks take on Denver.
The Nuggets are 4-5 in Western Conference games. Denver is fifth in the league with 46.2 rebounds led by Nikola Jokic averaging 13.7.
The Mavericks have gone 6-6 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 17.2 fast break points per game led by Luka Doncic averaging 4.6.
The Nuggets make 46.8% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.1 percentage points higher than the Mavericks have allowed to their opponents (44.7%). The Mavericks average 115.6 points per game, 0.5 more than the 115.1 the Nuggets give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is shooting 47.9% and averaging 18.3 points for the Nuggets.
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Kyrie Irving is averaging 24.3 points and 5.2 assists for the Mavericks.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 119.7 points, 45.4 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points per game.
Mavericks: 5-5, averaging 118.0 points, 44.3 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), DaRon Holmes II: out for season (achilles), Nikola Jokic: day to day (personal).
Mavericks: Dante Exum: out (wrist).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Pop music icon Billie Eilish had a very important request before performing a sold-out show at Denver’s Ball Arena on Tuesday night: She wanted to snuggle with some animals.
Two Front Range shelters were more than happy to bring some furry friends for a backstage meet-and-greet with Eilish and her team, Brighter Days Dog Rescue founder and director Becca Orin said.
Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary first got the request through the venue, and the Commerce City sanctuary teamed up with Brighter Days in Boulder to bring puppies, kittens and a pony to the arena.
Billie Eilish snuggles with a puppy and pony from Brighter Days Dog Rescue and Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary before performing at Ball Arena in Denver on Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy of Becca Orin)
Eilish, her mom and team were “amazing,” Orin said, and showered the animals with love – particularly Samson the pony, who was overjoyed by all of the attention and cookies.
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Brighter Days shared photos of the visit in a post on Facebook, with Eilish grinning cheek-to-cheek with a puppy and getting a nuzzle from Samson.
“This is not the first time we have brought animals to Ball Arena for the artists ahead of their performance, but this was the first time the artist was kind enough and generous enough to let us take pictures and give us permission to post them on social media,” Orin said.
Eilish is set to perform a second sold-out show at Ball Arena on Wednesday night as part of her Hit Me Hard And Soft Tour.
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