Drug diversion cases in Colorado

14 documented cases, 2010–2026.

Figures are derived from the 730 case records collected on this site, not from official state totals.

Custodial sentences stated

Shortest: 3 months
Longest: 360 months (30 years)

10 prison or jail terms stated in 10 of 14 records. Probation, supervised release, home confinement and suspended terms are not counted.

Monetary penalties stated

Smallest: $506,935
Largest: $506,935

1 amount in US dollars (civil settlements and penalties, criminal fines, restitution, forfeiture) in 1 of 14 records.

Drug classes involved

Opioids11
Other controlled substance3
Anesthetics / sedatives1
Benzodiazepines1

A record naming drugs from two classes counts in both.

Settings involved

Hospital / health system10
Other / not classified2
Retail pharmacy2

Cases

Newest first

  1. Denver Hospital Case Coordinator Sentenced to 18 Months for Tampering With Patients' Oxycodone Prescriptions 2026-09-17 · Denver, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  2. Littleton Oral Surgery Assistant Sentenced for Tampering With Fentanyl Vials 2026-01-14 · Littleton, Colorado · Other / not classified
  3. Southern Colorado pharmacy paid $250,000 to resolve allegations of years of unlawful controlled-substance dispensing 2025-05 · Retail pharmacy
  4. VA nurse pleaded guilty to stealing fentanyl, morphine and hydromorphone 2023-10 · Aurora, CO · Hospital / health system
  5. Denver Paramedic Supervisor Sentenced for Stealing 1,900 Vials of Fentanyl 2023-04-19 · Denver, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  6. Colorado Nurse Sentenced Over ICU Fentanyl Drip Diversion 2022-11 · Denver, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  7. Colorado Nurse Sentenced Over Fake Research-Study Hydromorphone Diversion 2021-12 · Colorado · Hospital / health system
  8. Colorado Nurse Stole Fentanyl in Hospital Catheterization Lab 2021-09-18 · Colorado · Hospital / health system
  9. Two Colorado nurses held accountable for taking controlled substances from patients 2021-08-28 · Other / not classified
  10. ICU Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Fentanyl at Parker Adventist Hospital 2019-11-13 · Parker, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  11. Two South Denver pharmacists pleaded guilty to felony opioid distribution charges 2018-10-17 · Retail pharmacy
  12. North Colorado Medical Center Nurse Stole Opioids from Locked Dispensing System 2018-04-26 · Greeley, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  13. Denver VA and ER Nurse Tampered with Fentanyl Vials, Resealed with Skin Glue 2018-04-19 · Denver, Colorado · Hospital / health system
  14. Surgical Technician Diverts Fentanyl, Triggers Multistate Hepatitis C Outbreak — Colorado, 2010 2010-02-24 · Denver, Colorado · Hospital / health system

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Disclaimer

Case summaries are based on public records (DOJ press releases, court documents, news reports). Charges are allegations unless a conviction is noted. Analysis is educational, not legal advice.

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