Cocaine: Enforcement activities reflect a steady supply of cocaine coming into the metropolitan areas of Colorado. Cocaine is generally sold in ounce and pound quantities, however, trafficking organizations in Denver deal in multi-kilogram quantities supplied directly from Mexico. Crack use is declining but remains available in the larger metropolitan areas of Colorado. It is generally only available in street level amounts of one gram or less in Denver.

Heroin: Mexican black tar heroin is the predominant type of heroin found in Colorado and is available in the major metropolitan areas of Colorado. Mexican brown heroin can also be found to a lesser degree. While the estimated number of heroin users has remained stable, the Colorado Department of Health notes a disturbing demographic shift toward users under 25.

Methamphetamine: Throughout Colorado, methamphetamine is available in varying degrees of quality. Generally, locally produced methamphetamine is of a higher potency than that imported from Mexico. For the last several years, DEA laboratory analysis found that the overall purity levels of Mexican-produced methamphetamine dropped significantly. In 2002, a reversal of this trend was noted as significantly more potent Mexican methamphetamine began to appear.

Club Drugs:The market for the category of mostly synthetic substances known as "club drugs" has been saturated in Colorado. "Raves" are not particularly commonplace throughout the state, although they are held occasionally around Denver and Colorado Springs. Violence, pornography, and prostitution often play key roles in club drug trafficking and abuse. Ketamine and GHB have been surfacing frequently and increasingly in the Denver Field Division's investigations. LSD in liquid form is readily available in the metropolitan areas of Colorado. It is growing in popularity with the same young, predominately white user population. (LSD on blotter paper is shown at night.)

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available in multi-pound quantities throughout Colorado. The highly potent form of marijuana known as "BC Bud" is also easily obtainable, although significantly more expensive. BC Bud is smuggled into Colorado from British Columbia, Canada, to Washington and Oregon. Marijuana Legalization: Amendment 20 (effective June 1, 2001) allows use and possession of small amounts of marijuana for sick and dying patients. It provides protection against prosecution under state law, which is where the vast majority of marijuana small-use and possession cases occur.

Other Drugs: Pharmaceutical opiates/opioids are the drugs of choice among drug abusing medical professionals in Colorado. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and Darvocet are the two controlled substances most commonly abused, with various forms of prescription fraud and retail diversion being the methods for obtaining them. The diversion and abuse of OxyContin (oxycodone) is a significant problem in Colorado.