September 20, 2025
The Centers for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health has been awarded a new grant to expand the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative® (RFW) in Larimer County. With this award, the program will train local peer support specialists, equip Larimer County employers to better support employees dealing with substance use disorders, and provide technical assistance and naloxone resources in English and Spanish.
“This work is about creating real change for workers and families in Larimer County. We know that high-risk industries like construction, food services, manufacturing, and healthcare are carrying a disproportionate burden,” said Liliana Tenney, DrPH, MPH, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor, Centers for Health, Work & Environment, Colorado School of Public Health.
This program aims to integrate culturally competent, peer-informed resources into local workplaces, supporting employees affected by substance use disorder, reducing stigma, and strengthening behavioral health infrastructure for small and mid-sized businesses across Larimer County and all workforces.
“The Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative® is showing us every day how urgent the need is. Too many workers face stigma, workforce shortages are straining communities, and access to culturally responsive behavioral health care remains uneven,” said Tenney. “By investing in peer support, employer training, and recovery-friendly policies, we can build workplaces that not only support recovery but also strengthen entire families and communities.”
