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Laws and Rules

Update (Dec. 5, 2023) — The State of Colorado is entering a period of regulatory transition and behavioral health reform.

The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is responsible for regulating the provision of behavioral health services in Colorado by developing and monitoring reasonable and proper rules and regulations. In alignment with House Bill 19-1237, House Bill 22-1278 and House Bill 23-1326, BHA is updating its licensing structure and process.

The State Board of Human Services passed the updated BHA Provider Rules (adopted Nov. 3, 2023), setting the foundation for new rules and regulations to take effect for behavioral health providers beginning on Jan. 1, 2024.

On and after Jan. 1, 2024, BHA will have the authority to issue Behavioral Health Entity (BHE) licenses to agencies that qualify as a BHE and will be responsible for the approval of Essential and Comprehensive Providers that elect to participate in the safety net system to ensure all those in Colorado who need services have access to them.

The authority to issue BHEs will transition to BHA from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on Jan. 1, 2024, and will replace the existing structure of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment licenses, Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) designations, and Community Mental Health clinic (CMHc) designations in the state of Colorado.

The BHE license model provides a “cafeteria-style” license in which an agency holds a single BHE license with different endorsements, allowing the agency to offer various services at multiple locations. This allows flexibility and ultimately will support easier addition of services and locations for the agency to meet the needs of their populations served.

This transition is expected to occur into the early months of 2025.

Agencies are encouraged to review the Agency Transition Guide to help determine the starting point for your agency during this transition, and are encouraged to bookmark and visit this page frequently, as updated information and resources will be released as they become available.

Transition support for current providers

Providers that hold a current BHA-issued license and/or designation are invited to book a technical support session focusing on your transition needs.

  Book a support session


Q&S Newsletter

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Updated provider rules

Proposed provider rules related to the Behavioral Health Entity license, Safety Net approval, and 27-65 designation were adopted by the State Board of Human Services during the board's Nov. 3. hearing. The adopted rules will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

View the new provider rules

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Provider resources

BHA staff are hard at work developing resources to help during this period of transition and beyond. We encourage you to bookmark and visit this page frequently, as resources will be added below as they are completed. 

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Contact us

Have questions, concerns or suggestions for a transition resource that would be helpful? Don't hesitate to get in touch with the Safety Net Licensing team at cdhs_bharulefeedback@state.co.us.

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More information
Previous provider rules

Proposed provider rules related to the Behavioral Health Entity license, Safety Net approval, and 27-65 designation were adopted by the State Board of Human Services during the board's Nov. 3. hearing. Previous versions of the proposed rules are listed below.

 

Rule town halls and community events

As part of creating rules per HB 23-1236, the BHA held a series of stakeholder engagement events in May and June of 2023. The stakeholder engagement meetings covered rules and regulations related to the Behavioral Health Entity (BHE) base license and endorsements, 27-65 Designation, Safety Net and Care Management.

Recordings and slideshows from town halls