Gabe Evans Campaigned On Tackling The Fentanyl Crisis And Claimed His Work As A Police Officer Inspired Him To Focus On The Issue

Evans Said It Would Be His “Mission” To Stop The “Scourge Of Fentanyl” During His 2024 Campaign For Congress. “When he was running for Congress in 2024, Gabe Evans said that if elected, it would be his ‘mission’ to stop the ‘scourge of fentanyl.’ It was a central campaign theme, repeated by Evans in ads, radio shows, debates, interviews, and pretty much anywhere else he could say it. He blamed the substance abuse crisis on Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the state legislature, immigrants, the ‘left,’ and every single Democratic leader in Colorado, especially his congressional opponent, incumbent Yadira Caraveo, whom he dramatically – and falsely – identified as ‘responsible for it all.’” [Colorado Times Recorder, 4/16/26]

Colorado Politics: Evans “Made Attacks On Bipartisan State Legislation That Relaxed Penalties On Low-Level Possession Of The Synthetic Opioid Central To His Campaign.” “Evans, who was serving in the state House when he ran for Congress last year, made attacks on bipartisan state legislation that relaxed penalties on low-level possession of the synthetic opioid central to his campaign. Evans unseated Democrat Yadira Caraveo, a former state lawmaker and Thornton pediatrician, in one of the closest congressional races in the country.” [Colorado Politics, 2/10/25]

October 10, 2024: An Ad From Evans’ Campaign Said There Was “A 100 Percent Increase In Fentanyl Deaths” And That His “Mission” In Congress Was To Stop The Fentanyl Crisis

October 10, 2024: An Ad From Evans’ Campaign Said There Was “A 100 Percent Increase In Fentanyl Deaths” And That His “Mission” In Congress Was To Stop The Fentanyl Crisis. “For command 23, copy, an overdose copy. This is our reality now, 100% increase in fentanyl's debts because liberals open the border, legalize fentanyl and let criminals out of jail. And Yadira Caraveo voted for it all. I'm Gabe Evans served in a combat zone, spent 10 years as a police officer. My new mission is to stop Caraveo's fentanyl crisis. That's why we stand with Gabe. I'm Gabe Evans and I approve this message.” [BigAL, 10/10/24, AdMo, accessed 12/2/25]

October 23, 2024: An Ad From Evans’ Campaign Said, “Record Fentanyl Overdoses” Were “The Reality Of Colorado Today,” But Evans “[Knew] How To Fix It” Because He Was A Former Police Officer

October 23, 2024: An Ad From Evans’ Campaign Said, “Record Fentanyl Overdoses” Were “The Reality Of Colorado Today,” But Evans “[Knew] How To Fix It” Because He Was A Former Police Officer. “Record carjackings, record fentanyl overdoses. This is the reality of Colorado today. Liberals defunded the police. Colorado got a crime wave because fewer cops on the streets means more crime. And Caraveo voted for it all. I'm Gabe Evans spent 10 years as a police officer and watched Caraveo defund the police but I know how to fix it. Fire Caravello before it's too late. I'm Gabe Evans and I approve this message.” [Gabe Evans for Congress, Facebook, 10/23/24]

November 11, 2024: Evans Said He Was Inspired To Get Involved In Politics After Witnessing Drug Overdoses As A Police Officer

November 11, 2024: Evans Said Seeing Drug Overdoses As A Police Officer Inspired Him To Run For Colorado State House And Later Congress. “In his speech, he listed out the problems he’s seen take over Colorado, focusing on things like drug overdoses and bank robberies. ‘I saw those problems as a police officer. (I) couldn't have the impact I wanted as a police officer, and so that's why I ran for and won my state House seat, and that's why I'm now so incredibly honored by the confidence and by the faith that the voters in Colorado's 8th Congressional District have instilled in me as their new representative-elect,’ Evans said. ‘In many ways, this was a tremendous victory for Colorado Republicans and for balance and for dialogue in the state.’” [CPR News, 11/11/24]

Evans: “I Saw [Drug Overdoses And Bank Robberies] As A Police Officer. (I) Couldn't Have The Impact I Wanted As A Police Officer, And So That's Why I Ran For And Won My State House Seat, And That's Why I'm Now So Incredibly Honored By The Confidence And By The Faith That The Voters In Colorado's 8th Congressional District Have Instilled In Me As Their New Representative-Elect.” “In his speech, he listed out the problems he’s seen take over Colorado, focusing on things like drug overdoses and bank robberies. ‘I saw those problems as a police officer. (I) couldn't have the impact I wanted as a police officer, and so that's why I ran for and won my state House seat, and that's why I'm now so incredibly honored by the confidence and by the faith that the voters in Colorado's 8th Congressional District have instilled in me as their new representative-elect,’ Evans said. ‘In many ways, this was a tremendous victory for Colorado Republicans and for balance and for dialogue in the state.’” [CPR News, 11/11/24]

January 4, 2025: Evans Said Ending “The Scourge Of Fentanyl” Would Be One Of His Top Priorities In Congress

January 4, 2025: Evans Said, “We Need To Work To Get Colorado Back To A Safer Place And End The Scourge Of Fentanyl” While Discussing His Priorities In Congress. “Rep. Gabe Evans on Friday reaffirmed his commitment to addressing immigration and prioritizing the safety of Colorado communities over the next two years…Evans also aims to rein in crime in Colorado, reporting that the state ranks high in bank robberies as well as teenage fentanyl deaths. Evans looks to establish an integrated approach between federal, state and local levels to help make Colorado a safer place to live. ‘That’s one of my top priorities. I’ve heard a lot about this from my constituents, and I continue to hear a lot about that,’ Evans said. ‘We need to work to get Colorado back to a safer place and end the scourge of fentanyl.’” [Greeley Tribune, 1/4/25]

• Evans Said He Was Committed To Prioritizing Public Safety In Colorado And Referenced Teenage Fentanyl Deaths As An Example Of Crime. “Rep. Gabe Evans on Friday reaffirmed his commitment to addressing immigration and prioritizing the safety of Colorado communities over the next two years…Evans also aims to rein in crime in Colorado, reporting that the state ranks high in bank robberies as well as teenage fentanyl deaths. Evans looks to establish an integrated approach between federal, state and local levels to help make Colorado a safer place to live. ‘That’s one of my top priorities. I’ve heard a lot about this from my constituents, and I continue to hear a lot about that,’ Evans said. ‘We need to work to get Colorado back to a safer place and end the scourge of fentanyl.’” [Greeley Tribune, 1/4/25]