Office of Behavioral Health news

 

Media inquiries

If you're a reporter with questions for or about the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), the Mental Health Institutes, or any of our programs, contact:

Lindsay Sandoval, OBH Media Manager
Phone: 720-594-0369 | Email: Lindsay.Sandoval@state.co.us

CORA Requests

For information on making a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request, please visit our contact page.

OBH updates

Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly updates by email.

Read blog posts from OBH.

More resources

Fact sheets
Press releases
2021

CDHS celebrates BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in July (July 13)

Colorado receives $94 million federal funding boost for behavioral health services (June 14)

Bill to support unemployed Coloradans’ mental health passes committee (April 26)

Gov. Polis signs bill to transform Colorado's behavioral health system (April 22)

CDHS Statement on Colorado House Bill 21-1258 (April 20)

Colorado begins planning for 9-8-8 suicide prevention number (March 17)

Bill to create new state Behavioral Health Administration passes committee (March 9)

Colorado youth selected for state behavioral health leadership program (Feb. 19) 

CDHS and Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to expand supportive housing services (Jan. 28)

 

2020

Colorado crisis line continues record-breaking volume during COVID-19 pandemic (Nov. 23)

Colorado adds Western Slope route to opioid use disorder mobile health services program (Oct. 29)

Colorado awards $4.3 million in grants to prevent substance use disorder (Sept. 28)

Colorado receives $41.6 million over two years to address opioid crisis (Aug. 31)

Colorado Behavioral Health Task Force considers bold recommendations (July 29)

Colorado Crisis Services statement on FCC approval of federal 988 number (July 16)

Behavioral Health Task Force examines COVID-19 impacts (June 4)

Colorado announces new veterans behavioral health program (May 28)

Department of Agriculture and CDHS release rural mental health documentary and resources (May 20)

"Tough as a Mother" campaign connects Colorado moms to substance use disorder treatment services (May 8)

Colorado awarded $2 million grant for behavioral health crisis services during COVID-19 (April 21)

Youth leaders to develop messaging for Colorado Crisis Services during COVID-19 emergency (April 8)

State mental health hospital in Pueblo experiences potential data breach (April 7)

Colorado awards $4.6 million for substance use treatment in rural communities (March 12)

Recent press coverage
Title Source Date
July 2021
Loveland council members interested in expanding police co-responder program Loveland Reporter Herald 7/28/21
Leaving Behind Uniforms And Sirens, Summit County Sheriff Expands Crisis Response KUNC 7/27/21
New 988 suicide prevention hotline to start in 1 year Denver 7 7/22/21
CASA expands mission to mental health; prepares for name-change Montrose Daily Press 7/21/21
New Discovery Cafe in Rifle guides people in right direction Glenwood Springs Post Independent 7/21/21
Last year's teen suicide spike in El Paso County leads to new prevention tactics to fill gaps Colorado Springs Gazette 7/18/21
Newly passed legislation increases support for mental health Aspen Daily News 7/17/21
Next Move Chat Parent set for July 21 Vail Daily 7/16/21
The number of people who died by suicide in Colorado didn't go up during the pandemic as experts had feared 9News 7/15/21
DA launches new diversion program to keep those accused of drug crimes out of courtrooms Aurora Sentinel 7/15/21
Largest jump in Colorado overdose deaths in more than 20 years, data show Colorado Newsline 7/15/21
¿Cómo le pueden ayudar el Colorado Crisis Services? El Comercio de Colorado 7/15/21
5 Things Colorado: Early Bird Registration, Behavioral Health Administration, Q&A w/ Amanda Massey State of Reform 7/15/21
CO mental health bills increase support Sopris Sun 7/14/21
CDHS celebrates BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in July Alamosa Valley Courier 7/14/21
Colorado Celebrates BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month Pagosa Daily Post 7/14/21
‘Co-Responder’ behavioral health unit with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office partnered recently with the Fountain Police Department KKTV 7/12/21
Groundbreaking: Mental Health Facility in Salida Mile High CRE 7/8/21
Report: Veteran suicides far outstrip combat deaths in post-9/11 wars Colorado Newsline 7/8/21
Colorado Springs Law Enforcement Commission calls on city to expand mental health services KRDO 7/7/21
Out of the Shadows, Part 4 | Incarceration or rehabilitation: Routt County criminal justice system often tasked with issues it isn’t equipped to solve Steamboat Pilot & Today 7/6/21
Polis signs bills to help veterans Salida Mountain Mail 7/1/21
June 2021
Alternatives to Calling the Denver Police Department 5280 Magazine 6/30/21
Mental health crisis lingers from pandemic Colorado Community Media 6/28/21
Polis signs bills on mental and behavioral health and substance abuse Colorado Springs Gazette 6/28/21
Colorado State Legislature Makes Historic Investment In Behavioral Health Care CBS 4 Denver 6/28/21
Forward Together a state tool for parents, youths Arvada Press 6/28/21
BIDLACK | Erasing the stigma for tormented vets Denver Gazette 6/25/21
5th-worst in US: What to know about grief, prevention amid Colorado's suicide crisis Fort Collins Coloradoan 6/25/21
3 things parents can do to help their child's mental health this summer Fort Collins Coloradoan 6/25/21
Arvada offers mental health services for community impacted by shooting Fox 31 6/24/21
Polis signs bills benefiting veterans Grand Junction Daily Sentinel 6/24/21
Teens Helping Prevent Teen Suicide – Colorado Crisis Services Fox 31 6/24/21
Governor signs bill to curb veteran suicides Colorado Politics 6/23/21
EDITORIAL: Colorado’s policy makers unite on mental health Denver Gazette 6/21/21
Move your body and motivate your mind at the silent disco Move Chat Parent Vail Daily 6/20/21
New law funds 3 mental health sessions for Colorado youth Aurora Sentinel 6/20/21
SIGNED! Colorado Comeback Bills to Expand Mental Health Access for Kids Increase Access to State Resources Become Law EIN Presswire 6/20/21
For Kids With Mental Health Issues The Pandemic Was ‘Fuel To The Fire.’ What Help Is On The Way? Colorado Public Radio 6/19/21
Polis puts his signature on mental health legislation Denver Gazette 6/18/21
American Rescue Plan Stories in All 50 States EIN Presswire 6/17/21
OPINION: Looking back at the 2021 legislative session Fort Morgan Times 6/17/21
June 15, 2021: Preserving Urban Wildlife; Addressing Colorado’s Behavioral Health Needs Colorado Public Radio 6/15/21
Development of Behavioral Health Administration underway in Colorado State of Reform 6/15/21
Colorado receives $94 million federal funding boost for behavioral health services State of Reform 6/14/21
Colorado legislators begin the process of spending $3.8B federal stimulus Denver Business Journal 6/14/21
Colorado calls for pediatric ‘state of emergency’ for children’s MH issues Mental Health Weekly 6/14/21
Crossroads hopes to build a new group treatment facility in Pueblo Pueblo Chieftain 6/11/21
FCC approves 988 as new suicide prevention lifeline number Rocky Mountain Collegian 6/10/21
Youth mental health was front and center in Colorado’s legislative session. But the work is only a “down payment.” Colorado Sun 6/10/21
House Passes Emergency Mental Health, Watershed Restoration Funding Western Slope Now 6/8/21
9 bills that will likely shape Colorado in years to come Colorado Politics 6/8/21
DA Brian Mason considers mental health a top priority Brighton Standard Blade 6/7/21
Want a bigger impact? Partner with other state agencies that share your goals GovLoop 6/4/21
Lawmakers send Polis 20 state stimulus bills Colorado Politics 6/4/21
Two new three-digit numbers will connect Coloradans to mental health help Colorado Springs Gazette 6/3/21
Five stimulus bills pass Colorado Senate Fox 31 6/3/21
May 2021
Nearly 9,000 more Coloradans died in 2020 than normal as fatalities jumped 23.5% during pandemic Denver Post 5/30/21
Struggling with mental health? These resources in Colorado and beyond can help. Denver 7 5/26/21
El Paso County youth suicides increase in 2020; 3 teens had COVID as stated stressor KOAA 5/26/21
Children's Hospital Colorado declares mental health emergency for kids 9News 5/25/21
Colorado receives $3.8 billion from the American Rescue Plan Fox 31 5/24/21
Colorado Will Cash In $4 Billion Of Federal COVID Relief Money To Invest In Mental Health, Affordable Housing And More Colorado Public Radio 5/24/21
Here’s how Colorado’s Democratic leaders want to spend the state’s $3.8 billion federal stimulus check Colorado Newsline 5/24/21
Governor, legislative and congressional Democrats roll out initial plan for fed stimulus Colorado Politics 5/24/21
Denver Gazette: Reach out for help before it’s too late Colorado Politics 5/17/21
Mental Health in Infants & Young Children – Colorado Crisis Services Fox 31 5/17/21
8 Resources for People Struggling with Mental Health in the Denver Area 5280 Magazine 5/12/21
Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet pushing her mental health legislation Colorado Politics 5/12/21
With COVID Hanging In The Background, Mental Health Bills Advance At The Statehouse KUNC 5/12/21
Summit County Sheriff’s Office to launch ‘SMART team lite’ to respond to crisis calls without law enforcement Summit Daily 5/10/21
Ranchers Struggle with Access to Mental Health Services as COVID Puts Stress on Rural Communities People 5/7/21
CDPHE gives an update on COVID-19 Fox 31 5/6/21
Drug addiction: illegal fentanyl can be deadly Denver 7 5/6/21
CDPHE gives an update on COVID-19 Colorado Politics 5/5/21
Lt. Governor proclaims May as Mental Health Month Ark Valley Voice 5/4/21
Health funding in Colorado’s pending FY 2021-2022 budget State of Reform 5/4/21
Colorado hospitals are giving patients take-home doses of the overdose antidote to fight the opioid crisis Colorado Sun 5/3/21
New Project Wants All Colorado Hospitals To Give Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug To At-Risk Patients KUNC 5/3/21
May is Mental Health Month in Colorado Fox 31 5/3/21
Mental Health Awareness Month More Important Than Ever In Post-Pandemic World CBS 4 5/3/21
Colorado leaders address mental health and COVID-19 recovery KKTV 5/3/21
Colorado leaders advocate for ‘healing together’ during Mental Health Month in May KRDO 5/3/21
Commissioners Agree On Lifeguard Pay The Mountain Ear 5/2/21
COVID, isolation, opiates deliver siege of overdose deaths to Colorado Denver Gazette 5/1/21
April 2021
Colorado’s 2-1-1 hotline would ramp up mental health, substance use referrals under proposed law Colorado Newsline 4/27/21
Too Complex, Too Difficult': Colorado Green-Lights New Agency To Reform Mental Health Services KUNC 4/26/21
Colorado lawmakers want to help kids cope with COVID pandemic with unprecedented new plan Denver 7  4/26/21
Behavioral Health Administration forming amid rising suicides, overdose deaths Colorado Newsline 4/26/21
Gov. Polis signs bill to transform behavioral health system State of Reform 4/22/21
Bill would provide kids free access to behavioral health specialists in Colorado 9News 4/22/21
Governor signs sweeping mental health bills to mop up after pandemic Colorado Politics 4/22/21
Youth Mental Health Support is on the Way Western Slope Now 4/22/21
Colorado bill would give children free mental health screenings, therapy sessions KOAA 4/21/21
Colorado committee approves bill to allocate $9 million to youth mental health State of Reform 4/21/21
Colorado Lawmakers Consider Historic Investment In Kids’ Mental Health CBS 4 Denver 4/20/21
Free therapy and mental health screenings for Colorado kids in the works KKTV 4/20/21
Colorado hospitals launch project to get opioid overdose antidote to patients Denver Gazette 4/19/21
Grand Futures: Prevention through connection: Forward Together Steamboat Pilot & Today 4/19/21
EDITORIAL: Legislators should assail the mental health crisis Colorado Springs Gazette 4/19/21
Voice of the Consumer: Prepare now for mandatory 719 area-code dial, coming this fall KKTV 4/19/21
PELTON: Legislative and state budget updates at mid-point of session Sterling Journal-Advocate 4/17/21
Mental health, equity and kindergarten in Colorado: Here's what we learned this week Denver 7 4/16/21
Despite Widespread Mental Health Struggles, Colorado's Suicide Rate Has Remained Steady During The Pandemic KUNC 4/16/21
Proposal would fund free mental health services for children in Colorado Fox 31 4/16/21
New Sheriff Employee Focusing on Mental Health in Denver Jails Westword 4/15/21
Denver City Council Safety Committee discusses plans to address mental health in jails, youth violence Denver Gazette 4/14/21
3-digit suicide hotline coming summer 2022; easier for Coloradans to get mental health resources KKTV 4/13/21
Colorado bill seeks temporary free mental health services for kids 9News 4/12/21
Colorado bill would give children free mental health services during the pandemic CNN 4/11/21
FY 2021-22 Colorado State Budget Passes the Senate Ark Valley Voice 4/9/21
State Lawmakers Advance Sweeping Legislation To Fund Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs Colorado Public Radio 4/8/21
Colorado is on track to give teens three free therapy sessions to help them cope with coronavirus Colorado Sun 4/8/21
Colorado Senate Democrats introduce 2021 budget bill The Center Square 4/6/21
‘All Kinds Of Trauma’: Students Are Returning To School, But Are We Ready To Help Them Cope? Colorado Public Radio 4/5/21
After months of sports betting, how much tax money has Colorado made? 9News 4/2/21
Youth suicides in El Paso County have doubled during COVID-19 Southeast Express 4/1/21
Coloradans Are Bracing for a Mental Health Crisis After COVID-19 5280 Magazine 4/1/21
March 2021    
Colorado begins planning for 9-8-8 suicide prevention number  YellowScene 3/31/21
What to expect in the court case against the Boulder King Soopers shooting suspect Colorado Sun 3/26/21
As Mass Shootings And Pandemic Collide In Colorado, Mental Health Experts Urge Connection Now More Than Ever Colorado Public Radio 3/26/21
A look at how Montrose’s co-response model is helping the community at-large Montrose Press 3/25/21
More Coloradans are seeking mental health help, but there aren't enough professionals for everyone Denver 7 3/25/21
How a Colorado town is untangling behavioral health care from the criminal justice system Fort Collins Coloradoan 3/22/21
Greeley Tribune Opinion: Bill offers real hope for better access to mental health care resources Greeley Tribune 3/21/21
Colorado Springs-area children, teens suffer mentally from pandemic pressures Colorado Springs Gazette 3/21/21
North Range supports bill to establish state behavioral health administration Greeley Tribune 3/20/21
Public forums underway to shape what new Colorado Behavioral Health Administration will look like Colorado Springs Gazette 3/19/21
Forward Together – Helping Colorado Teenagers & Preteens Fox 31 3/19/21
WATCH LIVE: A Virtual Town Hall About Mental Health In Colorado Colorado Public Radio 3/18/21
New national suicide prevention number to launch next summer Fox 31 3/17/21
On Edge: A Statewide Conversation on Mental Health Ark Valley Voice 3/17/21
Pilot & Today helps host statewide conversation on mental health Steamboat Pilot & Today 3/16/21
House passes bill to create Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Greeley Tribune 3/16/21
Mental health talk to feature state experts and personal stories of struggle Summit Daily 3/16/21
Aspen community briefs: March 20 day of reflection; free mental health discussion; Aspen airport director finalists named The Aspen Times 3/15/21
Join 9NEWS and COLab for a live discussion about mental health in Colorado 9News 3/13/21
Colorado could soon have a Behavioral Health Administration State of Reform 3/11/21
Coronavirus is straining Colorado kids’ mental health. The state hopes free counseling sessions will help. Colorado Sun 3/11/21
One year into COVID-19 pandemic, CDHS continues to offer important services to Coloradans Alamosa Valley Courier 3/11/21
Colorado Seeks Information About Behavioral Health Technology To Decide Whether To Build Or Buy OpenMinds 3/10/21
Boulder’s Crisis Intervention Response Team provides support to those who are suffering Boulder Daily Camera 3/7/21
February 2021
“One of our basic needs is each other”: Months of social isolation changed us. How do we get back what we lost? Denver Post 2/28/21
Ohio Event Spotlights Need to Prevent and Address Behavioral Health Crises Behavioral Health Executive 2/26/21
City Of Boulder: Behavioral Health Co-Responder Program Launches With Boulder Police Department Colorado Patch 2/23/21
Local youth selected for state behavioral health leadership program Sterling Journal Advocate 2/19/21
Culture is Prevention': Jeffco School District Uses Traditions To Curb Indigenous Teen Drug Use KUNC 2/16/21
A Year Of Grief And Loss Breeds Pandemic Fatigue KUNC 2/16/21
Colorado judge maintains charges for Dane accused in fire AP 2/12/21
Colorado saw more overdose deaths in 2020 than ever before 9News 2/11/21
Following Successes, Law Enforcement Say More Personnel Needed For 'Indispensable' Co-Responder Programs KUNC 2/11/21
New addiction recovery facility opens in Loveland 9News 2/9/21
Colo. Counties Unite To Keep Mentally Ill Out Of Jail Law 360 2/7/21
Some good news on funding for water: Sports betting tax revenue gaining strength Colorado Springs Gazette 2/6/21
Mountain Youth rolls out Healthy Kids Colorado Survey dashboard Vail Daily 2/5/21
State hospital staff in Pueblo fear for safety with new policing plan Pueblo Chieftain 2/5/21
State Lawmakers Want To Expand Grant Program, Pair Mental Health Clinicians With Police CBS 4 2/2/21
January 2021    
Proposed bill would create statewide Behavioral Health Administration Sterling Journal-Advocate 1/27/21
SummitStone Health Partners Opens 16-Bed Inpatient Behavioral Health Facility North Forty News 1/26/21
SummitStone opens new mental health/substance use facility BizWest 1/26/21
SummitStone Health Partners Opens 16-Bed Inpatient Behavioral Health Facility Estes Park Trail Gazette 1/26/21
Virtual Summit Seeks to Disentangle Mental Health, Criminal Justice in Colorado Pagosa Daily Post 1/26/21
Steamboat police partner with Mind Springs Health for 24/7 co-responder program Steamboat Pilot & Today 1/21/21
GUEST COLUMN: Reforming Colorado’s mental health system Colorado Springs Gazette 1/17/21
Mental health advocates hope to change the way people are helped while in crisis 9News 1/13/2021
Communication, community effort key to preventing suicide Fort Morgan Times 1/11/21
Colorado's Crisis Service System sees big jump in calls for help, many pandemic-related Denver 7 1/7/21
December 2020  
Colorado Medicaid Expands Addiction Treatment Services Starting Jan. 1 KUNC 12/30/20
Colorado Crisis Line available for anyone struggling Denver 7 12/30/20
Suicides tend to spike in January, warns St. Mary's Grand Junction Daily Sentinel 12/28/20
Colorado crisis line continues record-breaking volume during COVID-19 pandemic KKTV  12/28/20
What’s Working: Colorado resources for the unemployed, those in need or those who’d like to support them Colorado Sun 12/26/20
 A tough year for mental health, substance abuse Vail Daily 12/26/20
Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo receives Moderna vaccine KKTV 12/23/20
Colorado Mental Health Institute Pueblo working on gentler approach to patient care Pueblo Chieftain 12/22/20
On Edge: Colorado’s behavioral health chief talks about stigma, his own depression struggle Colorado News Collaborative 12/18/20
Corrections officer title will change to ‘clinical safety specialist’ at Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo KKTV 12/17/20
Denver health care officials warn of coming mental health crisis Fox 31 12/17/20
Youth suicides on the Eastern Plains spark political protest, “7 is too many” social media campaign Colorado Sun 12/17/20
CHA Releases CO’s CURE Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Western Slope Now 12/15/20
Pueblo County to receive vaccine shipment later this week KOAA 12/14/20
For Farmers And Ranchers, Coronavirus Made An Already Complicated Mental Health Picture Even Harder KRCC  12/14/20
Colorado's list of hospitals, health agencies getting coronavirus vaccine first released Denver Gazette 12/11/20
Gov. Jared Polis gives update on COVID-19 in Colorado, Dec. 11 KRDO  12/11/20
3 Pueblo County facilities to receive COVID-19 vaccines KKTV 12/11/20
Recovery Cards Offer “Words I Didn’t Have” Treatment Magazine 12/8/20
People are using Colorado Crisis Services 55% more in 2020 compared to 2017 9News 12/8/20
On Edge: Coloradans struggle with mental health in a state ill-prepared to help them Colorado News Collaborative 12/6/20
Mobile Health Clinic Helps Rural Communities Battle Addiction KREX  12/1/20

 

Campaigns
  • Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. This campaign aims to increase awareness and utilization of this vital service.
  • Below the Surface aims to help teens connect to and get support from the Colorado Crisis Services text line. This text line allows anyone to text 24/7 with a trained counselor on a personal, free, confidential line.
  • Lift The Label strives to remove damaging labels and stigma that prevent those with opioid addiction from seeking effective treatment.
  • The Recovery Cards Project is a collaboration between the Lift The Label campaign, people in recovery, and artists in Colorado and nationwide. Together, we’ve created free greeting cards that celebrate recovery, provide encouragement to those who need it and express gratitude to those who support others in their recovery.
  • Tough as a Mother is is a statewide campaign which aims to reduce stigma and connect Colorado mothers with substance use disorder treatment services in their communities. The campaign acknowledges the incredible pressures of motherhood and the intrinsic strength of mothers to overcome challenges, including substance use disorder. 
  • COACT builds a system of services and supports for children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families.
  • Forward Together aims to help youth feel more connected – to their peers, their parents and other trusted adults in their lives – because when they feel connected, they are healthier and more resilient.