Blog Post

July 27, 2020: The Forensic Support Team Workgroup was created to serve as an informal executive group with the goal of improving interagency partnerships and working together to develop and support the FST.

July 27, 2020: Outpatient Restoration services continue to deliver programming remotely due to the COVID-19 crisis. Among many recent positive accomplishments, Outpatient Restoration no longer has a waitlist for restoration services in any area of the state. The team continues to troubleshoot minor issues and has accommodated client needs with little exception.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990.The act declared equality for disabled people across the country.

July 23, 2020: Current law requires a competency report to include an opinion regarding whether a defendant can be restored to competency and participate in their own defense. SB 20-181 made updates to the competency reporting requirements effective July 1, 2020.

July 23, 2020: This July the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is recognizing Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to underscore the importance of improving access to mental health treatment and breaking down barriers to care.

July 21, 2020: On July 13, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill (SB) 20-007 consolidating and modernizing Colorado's laws regarding the emergency treatment and voluntary and involuntary commitment of persons for treatment of alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder (SUD).

July 17, 2020: Julia Lamb is the music therapist at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (CMHIFL). Over the past four years, she has facilitated animal-assisted therapy (AAT) sessions with Bentley, the dog, and his handler, Arne. With AAT, clients often brighten and engage in ways not experienced or observed in other forms of therapy or interactions.

The relationships built by counties and the Colorado Department of Human Services administration over the last year are integral to serving Coloradans as we navigate a new, challenging landscape with COVID-19.

June 26, 2020: The Long Bill brought cuts to almost every line item pertaining to community-based mental health, substance use treatment and prevention services, and integrated behavioral health services, totaling more than $20 million in cuts to the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) Community Programs Division for Fiscal Year 20-21.