Involuntary mental health treatment

Patient rights

People can get mental health care and involuntary treatment in different ways. All services must:

• Respect the person’s dignity and integrity
• Be given in a restrictive setting only if less restrictive ones are not safe
• Protect privacy, dignity, and rights
• Encourage voluntary services
• Involve family when appropriate
• Help each person recover and become stronger

Laws, rules, and regulations

We’ve summarized the laws and rules below. You can find the full legislation at:

• Title 27, Article 65, C.R.S., known as "27-65"
• Behavioral Health Rule (CCR 502-1)

Summary of 27-65 statutes

A statute is a written law made by a state legislature or the United States Congress. The 27-65 statutes address involuntary mental health treatment in Colorado.

Statutes breakdown

Legislation	Section
C.R.S. 27-65-101	Legislative Declaration
C.R.S. 27-65-102	Definitions
C.R.S. 27-65-103	Voluntary Applications for Mental Health Services
C.R.S. 27-65-104	Voluntary Application for Mental Health Services - Treatment of Minors
C.R.S. 27-65-105	Rights of Respondents
C.R.S. 27-65-106	Emergency Mental Health Hold – Screening - Court-ordered Evaluation - Discharge Instructions - Respondent’s Rights
C.R.S. 27-65-107	Emergency Transportation- Application - Screening- Respondent’s Rights
C.R.S. 27-65-108	Care Coordination for Persons Certified or In Need of Ongoing Treatment
C.R.S. 27-65-108.5	Court-ordered Certification for Short-term Treatment for Incompetent Defenders in a Criminal Matter
C.R.S. 27-65-109	Certification for Short-term Treatment - Procedure
C.R.S. 27-65-110	Long-term Care and Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders - Procedure
C.R.S. 27-65-111	Certification on an Outpatient Basis – Short-term and Long-term Care
C.R.S. 27-65-112	Termination of Certification for Short-term and Long-term Treatment
C.R.S. 27-65-113	Hearing Procedures – Jurisdiction
C.R.S. 27-65-114	Appeals
C.R.S. 27-65-115	Habeas Corpus
C.R.S. 27-65-116	Restoration of Rights
C.R.S. 27-65-117	Discrimination – Definition
C.R.S. 27-65-118	Right to Treatment - Rules
C.R.S. 27-65-119	Rights of Respondents Certified for Short-term or Long-term Care and Treatment
C.R.S. 27-65-120	Administration or Monitoring of Medications to Persons Receiving Treatment
C.R.S. 27-65-121	Employment of Persons in a Facility – Rules
C.R.S. 27-65-122	Voting in Public Elections
C.R.S. 27-65-123	Records
C.R.S. 27-65-124	Request for Release of Information – Procedures – Review of a Decision Concerning Release of Information
C.R.S. 27-65-125	Treatment in Federal Facilities
C.R.S. 27-65-126	Transfers of Persons into and out of Colorado – Reciprocal Agreements
C.R.S. 27-65-127	Impositions of Legal Disability – Deprivation of Legal Right – Restoration
C.R.S. 27-65-128	Administration – Rules
C.R.S. 27-65-129	Payment for Counsel
C.R.S. 27-65-130	Advisory Board – Created – Service Standards and Rules
C.R.S. 27-65-131	Data Report

Summary of 27-65 rules

The Behavioral Health Rule 2 CCR 502-1 gives rules for mental health services. This includes both voluntary and involuntary services. These rules only apply to designated facilities. A designated facility is one that’s approved by BHA to treat people with mental health disorders.

Title 27, Article 65, C.R.S. explains how mental health services should be given. BHA makes sure the rules and laws are followed properly. That way, everyone treated has their rights protected. If anyone’s rights are restricted, all laws and procedures are followed to protect the civil rights of the individual.

What does the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) do?

The BHA: 

• Makes rules for mental health services in Colorado. This includes both voluntary and involuntary services.
• Approves facilities to provide mental health care and treatment.
• Checks that mental health care providers follow state laws and rules.
• Collects and studies data about mental health services.
• Gives training and help about the laws and rules for mental health care.