The Colorado Health Network (CHN) launched its Fill It Forward program in Grand Junction at the start of 2026, offering free collection and distribution of sharps containers to address a significant gap in safe disposal options for residents. Operating out of CHN’s office at 1001 Wellington Ave., the program provides a local solution for the safe disposal of syringes, needles, and other medication apparatuses, which are increasingly used for weight loss and various chronic conditions. Since its inception, the program has collected more than 40,000 sharps, according to Stephanie Ruf, Grand Junction Associate Administration Director for CHN.
Improper disposal of used syringes is a widespread issue, with studies estimating that between 50% and 95% of the approximately 7.5 billion syringes used at home annually are not disposed of correctly. A primary reason for this high rate of improper disposal, particularly in rural regions, is the scarcity of accessible options for residents. The Fill It Forward program aims to fill this critical need, offering a convenient and free service to the community.
The program at the Colorado Health Network's Grand Junction location (1001 Wellington Ave.), situated just half a mile east of Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, distributes empty sharps containers for safe storage of used medical instruments. Beyond the initial distribution, the program provides new, free syringes and additional sharps containers when participants drop off their used ones. This approach, according to Ruf, not only ensures safe storage between visits but also helps reduce the reuse of sharps, which carries risks of infection and reduced medication effectiveness.
The Fill It Forward program has seen growing popularity in Grand Junction, attracting an average of 20 to 25 new participants each month. Its effectiveness is evident in July metrics, which reported an 84.5% syringe return rate; out of 14,000 syringes distributed, nearly 11,900 were brought back for proper disposal. Ruf highlighted the program’s success, stating, "When people have easy, judgement-free access to the right tools, they use them."
Prior to the launch of Fill It Forward, the Mesa County Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 3071 US-50, had long served as the area’s sole free avenue for sharps disposal, as reported by the Sentinel in 2024. The introduction of CHN's program has expanded local options, making safe disposal more accessible for residents throughout Grand Junction and Mesa County.
Beyond its direct impact on public safety through proper sharps disposal, the program also serves as an entry point for community members to learn about broader disease reduction frameworks, according to CHN CEO Darrell Vigil and Stephanie Ruf. CHN CEO Darrell Vigil said the program introduces community members to a disease reduction framework, adding that it creates safer communities through practical and compassionate solutions. While proper sharps disposal directly impacts infectious diseases like HIV, the Colorado Health Network also offers education and resources related to other common but preventable infectious diseases, particularly sexually transmitted infections.
CHN's broader initiatives in this area include free walk-in STI testing, comprehensive case management for individuals living with HIV, and educational events like "sex trivia" nights designed to demystify sexual health and combat associated stigmas. Ruf added that by connecting individuals with important prevention resources, the program contributes to overall community well-being.
As the program’s initial six-month pilot funding has now expired, the Colorado Health Network is actively working to preserve or expand the Fill It Forward initiative. This effort reflects the demonstrated need and success of the program in Grand Junction, as evidenced by its high return rates and increasing participant numbers.
