‘100 times deadlier than fentanyl’: Police issue public safety alert as carfentanil overdoses rise in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Fentanyl has been a scourge on Colorado in past years, and now, law enforcement is warning of a drug that is far, far deadlier.

“Carfentanil, an incredibly potent synthetic opioid, is known to be 100 times stronger than its well-known counterpart, fentanyl,” the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a public safety alert Monday morning. “It requires a minuscule dose of just 0.02 milligrams to potentially cause death, compared to the 2 milligrams that can be lethal for fentanyl.”

As 11 News previously reported, carfentanil has been used in the past in veterinary medicine for the sedation of large animals, like elephants. It was initially withdrawn from the U.S. market in the 1970s.

But as of last month, CSPD says there have been 61 fatal drug overdoses in Colorado Springs. Of those, either fentanyl or carfentanil were contributing factors in 29 cases.

Carfentanil has been popping up more and more in confiscated pill stashes, CSPD added.

“The Colorado Springs Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the CSPD’s Metro Division – Narcotics Unit have collectively seized over 700,000 fentanyl pills in 2025. Since September of this year, nearly 28,000 of those pills contained carfentanil," police said.

They continued:

“A large portion of these seizures have featured the substance in the form of ‘M30′ tablets, often misleading as they resemble legitimate prescription medications. However, law enforcement has also encountered carfentanil in powdered form, which is typically white. Of these recent seizures, the department has seen a variety of mixed compounds, including the combination of fentanyl and carfentanil.

“The ‘M30′ tablets have been observed in a variety of colors, primarily shades of blue and green, as shown below. The color of the pills does not provide any evidence to suggest the potency and/or the presence of fentanyl, carfentanil, or a combination of the two. To accurately identify their true chemical composition, a laboratory analysis is necessary.

“These mixtures and the presence of carfentanil pose a significant risk to the community due to their potency and dangers associated with accidental exposures.”

Also troubling: police say Narcan, a life-saving antidote for opioid overdoses, may not be effective against carfentanil due to the drug’s potency.

“If you encounter suspected fentanyl pills or powder, do not handle them or clean the area yourself. Instead, immediately contact the Colorado Springs Police Department,” CSPD said.