Colorado’s Prescribing Boards Endorsing the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain

Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) Opioid Guidelines 

Colorado’s Prescribing Boards and Board of Pharmacy Endorse the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain: 

In 2025, Colorado’s Medical, Nursing, Dental, Optometry, Podiatry, and Pharmacy Boards rescinded the Division of Professions and Occupations’ Guidelines for the Safe Prescribing and Dispensing of Opioids and endorsed the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain (2022 CDC Guideline) to provide licensees with guidance that reflects the most current scientific research and recommended medical practices. 

The Boards believe the 2022 CDC Guideline can prove useful to licensees relating to the appropriate considerations to be made prior to, and during, treatment plans involving opioids. It is the Boards’ hope that familiarity with the concepts included within CDC guidance will help licensees provide safe and effective care for their patients. The Boards will refer to generally accepted standards of practice and expert review in approaching cases involving opioid therapy in the management of pain. 

Please see the following policies for more information: 

• Medical Board Policy 40-26, revised 2/27/2025
• Board of Pharmacy Policy 40-2, revised 3/13/2025
• Board of Nursing Policy 30-10, revised 4/23/2025
• Dental Board Policy 4.O, revised 5/1/2025
• Board of Optometry Policy 50-3, revised 5/1/2025
• Podiatry Board 30-3, revised 6/6/2025