Blog Post

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.

June 24: 2020: The Colorado Department of Human Services is deeply saddened by the killing of George Floyd and stands against racism in all of its manifestations. At the Office of Behavioral Health, we are challenging ourselves and all of our partners to reflect on how we promote equity in our policies and work.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult but necessary that we continue our focus on another public health crisis impacting our state. Lives depend on it.

May 20, 2020: The Forensic Community Based Services (FCBS) team of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is working hard to ensure no Coloradan is left behind during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

May 8, 2020: As communities respond to the COVID-19 emergency, Colorado prevention programs are continuing to serve youth and families with commitment, care and a dash of creativity.

April 29, 2020: The staff of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP) have been at the heart of keeping all of CMHIP safe and continuing to provide care with as much normalcy as possible. The staff has adjusted to new protocols and schedules, made masks to keep patients and staff safe, and brought joy to patients' lives during this uncertain time.

April 22, 2020: The Office of Behavioral Health is pleased to announce that the Colorado Association of Recovery Residences (CARR) has been approved as a certifying body for recovery residences in Colorado.

May 20, 2020: In response to the pandemic, many providers are delivering services over phone or video conferencing, known as telehealth. Studies show that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person services, but the transition may leave behind those without phone or internet access.

April 17, 2020: For those overcoming addiction, a common step is finding a group of peers, mentors and professionals who support you along the way. So how can you be part of a community when you're not allowed to leave your house? As Colorado hunkers down during the COVID-19 pandemic, centers have scrambled to answer this question and sustain a key part of recovery: connection.

April 13, 2020: The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) submitted a grant application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) last week seeking up to $2 million in emergency funding for crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic.