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Summer Momentum:Reflection, Renewal, and Continued Connection |
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As we move into summer, the pace of change around us feels both steady and energizing. The longer days and shifting season offer a natural moment to pause, reflect, and reset as we continue the important work of strengthening behavioral health systems across Colorado.
While May’s Mental Health Awareness Month invited us to elevate awareness and deepen conversation, the summer months give us space to carry that momentum forward in a more grounded way—focusing on connection, resilience, and the practical tools that support our workforce and communities every day.
We’re grateful for the continued engagement across our membership and partners, and we look forward to the learning, collaboration, and shared progress still ahead this season. |
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Pride Month: Behavioral Health Access Matters |
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June is Pride Month, a time to recognize the contributions, resilience, and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. It is also an important reminder of the ongoing behavioral health disparities affecting many LGBTQ+ Coloradans. Research consistently shows higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth and adults, often driven not by identity itself, but by experiences of stigma, discrimination, social isolation, and barriers to care. Colorado’s behavioral health providers play a critical role in ensuring that individuals and families can access affirming, evidence-based care in their communities. Across the state, CBHC members provide prevention, treatment, crisis, recovery, and support services that help LGBTQ+ individuals navigate challenges and build resilience. This work is particularly important for young people. National and state data continue to show elevated rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and behavioral health challenges among LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring the importance of accessible crisis services, early intervention, school and community supports, and timely access to treatment. As policymakers, providers, and communities continue working to strengthen Colorado’s behavioral health system, ensuring that care is accessible, culturally responsive, and person-centered remains an important part of improving outcomes for all Coloradans. |
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Colorado Selected for CCBHC Demonstration |
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In one of the most significant behavioral health policy developments in recent years, Colorado has been selected to participate in the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration. Colorado was one of ten states selected nationwide in the program’s latest expansion. For Colorado’s behavioral health safety net, this represents a transformational opportunity to strengthen how community behavioral health services are financed and delivered. The demonstration provides enhanced federal Medicaid funding and allows participating states to implement a prospective payment system (PPS) designed specifically for comprehensive behavioral health care. Unlike traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models, PPS is intended to recognize the full scope of services CCBHCs are required to provide, including crisis response, care coordination, outpatient treatment, substance use disorder services, peer supports, and community-based interventions. For providers, the demonstration is intended to offer a sustainable financing structure that better aligns payment with the expectations placed on community behavioral health organizations. For individuals and families, it has the potential to improve access to care, strengthen crisis response systems, reduce fragmentation, and support more coordinated treatment across the behavioral health continuum. Colorado’s selection follows years of planning and collaboration among the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF), the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), providers, advocates, and community stakeholders. The state submitted its demonstration application on March 31, 2026, following extensive planning work supported through a federal CCBHC Planning Grant. Implementation work is now underway. While many operational details will continue to be refined over the coming months, the demonstration is expected to serve as a foundation for long-term behavioral health financing reform in Colorado. For the first time, Colorado will have the opportunity to fully implement a Medicaid payment model designed around the actual cost of providing the comprehensive services required of CCBHCs. CBHC will remain actively engaged in implementation discussions and will continue advocating for policies that support fidelity to the federal model, strengthen access to care, support providers, and deliver on the promise of a more sustainable behavioral health safety net. Additional Resources |
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2026 CBHC Annual Conference Update:Breckenridge is Calling |
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Planning continues to move forward for the 2026 CBHC Annual Behavioral Health Conference, and we’re excited to welcome our community to Breckenridge this fall. Centered on this year’s theme, Meeting the Moment for Communities, the conference will bring together behavioral health leaders, clinicians, and system partners from across Colorado for three days of learning, connection, and shared momentum.
We’re pleased to share that the full conference program is now available for viewing, featuring a wide range of sessions designed to highlight innovation, strengthen practice, and respond to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities. The Schedule at a Glance is also available to support attendees in planning their conference experience.
Registration remains open, and the hotel room block is still available—though we encourage attendees to book early as availability is limited and filling quickly in Breckenridge. |
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| | | Interim Work Begins Under the Golden Dome |
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| Medicaid Commission Launches As the summer sun heats up the Golden Dome, work on Colorado’s Medicaid future is beginning to heat up as well. The interim Medicaid Commission, created by SB26-187, held its first meeting and selected Senator Judy Amabile as Chair and Representative Kyle Brown as Vice Chair. The Commission is expected to meet twice per month through the fall and anticipates using all of its allotted meetings before submitting its final report to the General Assembly on December 11, 2026. The Commission’s charge is broad: to examine the long-term sustainability of Colorado’s Medicaid program and develop recommendations for policymakers as they confront growing budget pressures, increasing health care costs, and rising demand for services. Over the coming months, commissioners will evaluate Medicaid financing, payment methodologies, benefit design, service delivery models, administrative processes, and opportunities to improve outcomes while maintaining access to care. The Commission’s recommendations could ultimately influence future legislation, budget decisions, and the overall direction of Colorado’s Medicaid program for years to come. The first meeting focused primarily on organizational matters, including discussion of the Commission’s scope of work, meeting structure, and the selection of a technical advisor to support the process. Commissioners also received an overview of Colorado’s Medicaid program from Legislative Council Staff. Early conversations suggest members are particularly interested in addressing high-level structural and fiscal issues rather than simply making incremental programmatic changes. CBHC views this Commission as a significant opportunity to advance long-term solutions that strengthen Colorado’s behavioral health safety net. Throughout the interim, CBHC will advocate for sustainable financing structures, full implementation of the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration, and policies that improve access to care while reducing administrative burden. We will also work to ensure that community behavioral health providers — and the individuals and families they serve — have a strong voice in the conversation and that the unique challenges facing behavioral health services are considered as the Commission develops its recommendations. |
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| Competency Reform Remains a Major Interim Focus Beyond the Medicaid Commission, the interim legislative period provides an opportunity for CBHC to engage in deeper policy discussions and help shape proposals that may emerge during the 2027 legislative session. CBHC is already looking ahead to continued conversations around Colorado’s competency system, long-term treatment infrastructure, and continuity of care for individuals with serious mental illness. Following the passage of SB26-149, policymakers and stakeholders are expected to continue examining what additional policy tools may be necessary to better support individuals who repeatedly cycle through crisis systems, hospitalization, homelessness, and the legal system. Earlier this month, Governor Polis announced the creation of a Competency Task Force through executive action to develop legislative, policy, and funding recommendations aimed at improving Colorado’s competency system, particularly for lower-level, non-violent offenders with mental health disorders. The Task Force will bring together representatives from state agencies, the judicial system, prosecutors, public defenders, the behavioral health community, disability advocates, and crime victims to evaluate challenges and opportunities related to competency evaluation and restoration services. The creation of the Task Force signals that competency reform will remain a significant policy focus during the interim and into the 2027 legislative session. In addition to examining the delivery of competency services, policymakers are likely to continue exploring broader questions related to long-term treatment infrastructure, continuity of care, and how best to support individuals with serious mental illness who experience repeated system involvement. One area that may receive increased attention is Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and whether Colorado should establish a more structured framework for court-ordered community-based treatment in limited circumstances. These discussions will involve complex questions related to civil liberties, access to community-based services, system capacity, implementation feasibility, and long-term treatment outcomes. CBHC looks forward to engaging thoughtfully with legislators, providers, advocates, and other stakeholders to ensure that any future proposals remain clinically appropriate, operationally workable, respectful of client dignity and civil liberties, and aligned with broader efforts to strengthen Colorado’s behavioral health continuum. |
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| | Colorado’s AI Regulatory Landscape Continues to Evolve |
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Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most significant policy topics of the 2026 legislative session. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare operations, Colorado is emerging as one of the nation’s leaders in establishing guardrails for AI use in healthcare settings. Three separate state laws are converging to create a regulatory framework governing AI use in healthcare — though one of them looks quite different than it did just a few months ago. The first is Colorado’s landmark AI Act (SB24-205), originally scheduled to take effect June 30. In May, Governor Polis signed SB26-189, which both delayed the effective date to January 1, 2027, and substantially scaled back the law’s original requirements. The revised law significantly narrows the original compliance framework, replacing many of the law’s risk-management and oversight requirements with a more targeted approach focused on documentation, transparency, and consumer notice obligations. For healthcare organizations, this means a materially lighter compliance lift than originally anticipated, but the law is still in motion and worth tracking closely as rulemaking unfolds. In addition, two healthcare-specific bills passed during the 2026 legislative session and are unaffected by the AI ACT amendments. HB26-1139 establishes guardrails around the use of AI in health insurance and utilization review, requiring that coverage determinations be based on an individual’s medical history rather than solely on AI-generated group data. HB26-1195 goes a step further, creating new requirements for the use of AI in psychotherapy, including informed consent requirements for AI-assisted recording and transcription and restrictions on the use of AI in therapeutic communications and treatment planning. Taken together, these laws signal a growing expectation that AI remains a tool that supports, rather than replaces, professional judgment in healthcare settings — even as the state continues to recalibrate exactly how much oversight that requires. For behavioral health providers, the practical takeaway is clear: now is the time to inventory AI tools currently in use, understand how those tools are being deployed, and begin evaluating policies, procedures, and vendor relationships to ensure compliance with Colorado’s emerging regulatory framework. CBHC will continue monitoring implementation of these laws and sharing additional guidance and resources as they become available. Adapted from “Preparing for the Convergence of SB 24-205, HB 26-1139, and HB 26-1195 — Three New Colorado Laws Targeting AI in Healthcare” by Scott Driggs and Bill Ojile (April 23, 2026). |
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| | Member Spotlight:Youth Residential Recovery at Jefferson Center |
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Finding appropriate substance use treatment for adolescents can be challenging, particularly when youth need a higher level of care than outpatient services can provide. That’s why CBHC is highlighting the Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program at Jefferson Center. Designed for youth ages 13–18 with moderate to severe substance use disorders, YRR provides approximately 30 days of residential treatment and recovery support in an ASAM 3.5 level of care setting. The program serves youth with primary substance use disorders as well as those with co-occurring mental health conditions and utilizes evidence-based approaches including trauma-responsive care, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and family engagement. What makes the program unique is its comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Youth receive individual and group treatment, medical and psychiatric support, educational programming, recreational activities, discharge planning, and connections to ongoing care after treatment. Families are also actively involved through psychoeducation and support services designed to strengthen recovery outcomes. The program accepts referrals from community partners, providers, parents, and guardians. Youth must be between the ages of 13 and 18, have a moderate or severe substance use diagnosis, meet ASAM 3.5 criteria, and not be actively experiencing withdrawal at the time of admission. The program accepts Medicaid, CHP+, TRICARE, and many commercial insurance plans. If you work with youth who may benefit from residential substance use treatment, consider referring them to Jefferson Center’s Youth Residential Recovery program. Additional information, referral instructions, and admission criteria are available through the program webpage. |
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| | Primary Election Day is June 30 |
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Colorado’s Primary Election is Tuesday, June 30. Active registered voters should have already received their mail ballot. Be sure to return your ballot by June 30 and make your voice heard in selecting the candidates who will advance to the November general election. You can verify and, if necessary, update your voter registration by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.gov |
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| | CBHC Welcomes Crossroads’ Turning Points as First Essential Provider Member |
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CBHC is proud to formally welcome Crossroads’ Turning Points as CBHC’s first Essential Provider & Safety Net Partner member! This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our association and the continued strengthening of Colorado’s behavioral health safety net.
This expansion reflects CBHC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that the organizations most central to delivering community-based behavioral health services are meaningfully represented in our collective voice. |
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Crossroads’ Turning Points brings decades of experience providing a full continuum of substance use disorder and behavioral health services across southern Colorado, with a deep commitment to prevention, treatment, recovery, and community-based support.
Their membership represents an important step forward in building a more unified, provider-led association that reflects the full scope of safety net services supporting individuals, families, and communities across the state.
For more information, you can read the full announcement on our website. |
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| | Working Together: Industry Partner Spotlight |
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A-Train Marketing is proud to partner with the CBHC to promote mental health in Colorado and beyond. We serve as deep marketing partners for behavioral health entities and currently support clients in 29 states. Our team understands that marketing in this space requires a unique blend of ethics, sensitivity, and strategic precision to connect individuals with the care they need. Specializations We focus on delivering results through brand development, high-conversion websites, SEO, and digital advertising. Rather than providing one-size-fits-all solutions, we immerse ourselves in your unique mission, and unique challenges, to create strategies that directly solve organizational challenges. We help bridge the gap between individuals seeking help and the invaluable resources your organization provides. Whether you are scaling a multi-location system or launching a new service line or brand, we act as an extension of your team to ensure your messaging is both compliant and compelling. Free Strategic Review Connect with our team to see how we can help. A-Train’s CEO Timothy Zercher is currently offering a free, no-commitment, strategic review to help you optimize your marketing efforts and increase your impact. Book your meeting here! |
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| Mental Health First Aid Colorado: Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Highlights
As we close another successful fiscal year, we are proud to celebrate the impact of Mental Health First Aid Colorado and the growing network of individuals committed to strengthening mental health literacy across our state. This year, MHFACO trained more than 3,200 Coloradans in Mental Health First Aid, equipping community members, professionals, caregivers, and leaders with the skills to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. These trainings were made possible through the dedication of more than 40 contracted instructors and partners who delivered classes in communities across Colorado, both virtually and in person.
In addition to training First Aiders, MHFACO expanded Colorado’s capacity to meet behavioral health needs by certifying more than 40 new Mental Health First Aid instructors. These instructors join a statewide network committed to reducing stigma, promoting early intervention, and connecting individuals to appropriate support and resources. Throughout the year, MHFACO facilitated 115 training events, continuing our mission to empower individuals and communities to be proactive about health and well-being. By improving mental health literacy, fostering conversations about behavioral health, and building a network of advocates prepared to care for themselves and others, MHFACO continues to strengthen communities across the state. We are grateful to our instructors, contractors, community partners, and participants whose dedication makes this work possible.
Looking Ahead: Advancing Behavioral Health Education at the 2026 CBHC Summit
This September, Mental Health First Aid Colorado will help lead one of the featured pre-conference workshops at the 2026 Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council Annual Conference in Breckenridge. The full-day workshop, “Behavioral Health Trainings: Building the Future of Prevention, Education, and Community Impact,” will bring together trainers, coordinators, educators, and community leaders from across Colorado and beyond to explore the future of prevention and behavioral health training.
Designed for professionals involved in Mental Health First Aid, QPR, ASIST, safeTALK, Psychological First Aid, substance use prevention, recovery education, and community outreach, the workshop will focus on strengthening collaboration, building sustainable training programs, and maximizing community impact. Participants will engage in discussions around instructor development, statewide partnership building, outreach strategies, financial sustainability, and workforce retention.
The event reflects MHFACO’s ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more connected behavioral health training network. By bringing together leaders from diverse sectors, we hope to foster new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and develop shared strategies that expand access to behavioral health education throughout Colorado. To learn more, please visit https://www.cbhc.org/conference/ |
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| | Solvista Health
Solvista Health was selected to participate in Colorado’s new behavioral health demonstration program, a significant step toward advancing the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model in the state. The designation positions Solvista to expand access to comprehensive, coordinated mental health and substance use services in rural communities, while benefiting from enhanced federal support and standardized care expectations aimed at improving quality, access, and long-term sustainability of behavioral health services. Read the full article here.
WellPower
WellPower recently opened a new Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) walk-in clinic in Denver to expand access to addiction care, offering same-day, low-barrier support for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder or withdrawal. The clinic allows people to receive immediate help without appointments, including medications, peer support from individuals with lived experience, and connections to ongoing recovery services—addressing a critical need to provide care at the moment someone is ready to seek treatment. Read the full article here. |
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