Boulder Police said no deaths have been reported after six men overdosed on a batch of cocaine that was possibly tainted during a party.
BOULDER, Colo. — Boulder Police are investigating after at least six men overdosed on potentially tainted drugs at the Kappa Sigma fraternity Saturday night.
Police said officers responded between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to the hospital and to the fraternity house at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue. Police spokesperson Dionne Waugh said when officers arrived, they found people visibly sick and throwing up. Waugh said naloxone was administered.
According to the University of Colorado Boulder, the six young men taken to the hospital were students partying off campus at the expelled fraternity house.
Following the incident, Boulder Police said one man’s condition was considered grave but has since improved. All the students involved are expected to survive.
Police believe the men had ingested a possibly tainted batch of cocaine. Alcohol was also involved at the party.
Detectives are now investigating whether this was related to pledging at the fraternity.
“The University of Colorado Boulder can confirm that at least six students were taken to the hospital after reportedly ingesting drugs while at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house, an expelled fraternity off campus,” CU said in a statement. “While this news is devastating to our campus community, we are thankful that all students are expected to recover.”
According to CU, Kappa Sigma has not been a recognized Greek chapter at the university for nearly 20 years. They were also expelled from an unaffiliated interfraternity council in 2015 after concerns about safety and welfare violations.
The university said they are working with the Boulder Police Department as it continues its criminal investigation, and CU’s Division of Student Affairs will determine whether any disciplinary action will be taken.
“Student safety is our top priority, and CU Boulder regularly communicates about harm reduction and alcohol and drug education with students through CU Boulder Today, CU Boulder social media channels and our family newsletters,” the statement continued. “We also provide many training sessions, presentations and programs aimed at educating students about alcohol and drug use and safe decision-making. The campus also partners with Boulder County Public Health around education and awareness.”
“The Kappa Sigma Fraternity has been made aware of this incident,” Leo J. Brown IV, Vice-President of External Affairs with Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s national governing body, said in a statement. “The operations of the Chapter have been suspended pending an investigation.”
Boulder Police are asking anyone who was at the party or may have information about what happened to contact their tipline at 303-441-1974 regarding case 24-12864.
