Press Releases

BHASO and Colorado LIFTS Launch event today – a new chapter in Colorado safety net behavioral health 

July 9, 2025

CBHC was excited to participate in today’s launch of Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations and the Colorado LIFTS care coordination system.    As the long-time foundation of Colorado’s behavioral health safety net, CBHC’s members welcome the BHASOs as builders of a responsive, data-driven system that will enable all of us to better serve vulnerable Coloradans.…

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CBHC Statement on Senate Budget Bill

July 2, 2025

Statement from the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council on Senate Passage of Federal Budget Package As the Senate advances legislation that includes devastating cuts to Medicaid, CBHC stands in strong opposition. Medicaid is the backbone of Colorado’s behavioral health safety net—supporting care for individuals with mental health and substance use needs in every community across our…

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Meet CBHC’s New CEO, Kara Johnson-Hufford

May 30, 2023

The Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council would like to introduce you to our new CEO, Kara Johnson-Hufford. A few words from Kara Johnson-Hufford I’m thrilled and honored to be taking the reins at CBHC. Doyle’s are big shoes to fill, and I’m eager to begin the work. The video that accompanies this gives you a bit…

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Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council Names Kara Johnson-Hufford CEO

May 1, 2023

DENVER, May 1, 2023 – Kara Johnson-Hufford, MPA will join the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) as Chief Executive Officer May 30, 2023. She succeeds Doyle Forrestal, who is retiring as of June 30. Johnson-Hufford comes to the organization from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment where she has been since 2014, most…

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Doyle Forrestal Announces Retirement from Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council 

October 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2022   CONTACT:   Edie Sonn, Senior Director-External Affairs, CBHC (720) 201-7307 esonn@cbhc.org  DENVER, COLO-Oct. 20, 2022: Doyle Forrestal, CEO of the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) since 2015, is retiring effective June 30, 2023.  “It’s bittersweet to leave an organization I love so deeply,” said Forrestal. “Supporting Colorado’s community mental health providers in their…

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