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CPCQC Launches Statewide Perinatal Substance Use Field Guide

 

 

Following a 60% Drop in Overdose-Related Maternal Deaths, Colorado Launches First Statewide Field Guide to Sustain Momentum in Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Care

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: Monday, January 12. 2026

Contact: info@cpcqc.org

Statewide resource aims to reduce preventable maternal deaths and strengthen family-centered care

DENVER, Colo. — The Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC) today announced the release of the Perinatal Substance Use Field Guide and Sustainability Toolkit, the first statewide clinical, educational, and implementation resource dedicated to improving care for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use. The Field Guide was developed with funding and partnership from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office through its Opioid Response Strategic Impact Grant.

Perinatal substance use remains a leading contributor to maternal mortality in Colorado. Between 2018 and 2023, roughly one in four maternal deaths during that period were attributed to unintentional overdose. Every overdose-related maternal death was deemed preventable by Colorado’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee through improved access to medical care, mental health services, and substance use treatment.

Encouragingly, new statewide data shows progress and a path forward. Colorado saw a 60% reduction of pregnancy-associated deaths due to unintentional overdose in a single year, from 2022 to 2023. Sustaining this momentum requires consistent, evidence-based practices across healthcare systems, which the new Field Guide directly supports.

The Field Guide provides:

  • Clinical guidance for hospitals, obstetric and pediatric providers, nursing teams, and behavioral health professionals.
  • Legal and policy clarification, including Colorado-specific guidance on Plans of Safe Care, toxicology testing, and mandated reporting.
  • Family-facing educational materials that promote respectful, trauma-informed, and stigma-free care.
  • Quality improvement tools to help hospitals advance patient safety through evidence-based practice.
  • Perspectives from individuals with lived experience, ensuring the resource is practical, compassionate, and grounded in real-world challenges.

“Recovery thrives when we replace stigma with support and create pathways to healing in every corner of our state,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “Mothers struggling with substance use are often the first to face criticism and the last to seek help; they deserve our collective commitment to compassion and healing. We need sustained progress to turn the tide, and this field guide provides a strong foundation to gain more ground and to save lives.”

“Substance use is now one of the leading contributors to pregnancy-related deaths in our state, and most are preventable. Our ‘why’ is simple: every family deserves safe, respectful care,” said Amber Johnson, Director of Clinical Quality Improvement, CPCQC. “By addressing perinatal substance use with equity and urgency, we can save lives, prevent harm, and help families thrive.”

The Field Guide is available to hospitals, clinicians, community partners, and the public at cpcqc.org.

Media Contact: CPCQC Communications, Tyler Jones tjones@cpcqc.org

 

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