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Transforming Behavioral Health Together

The mission of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is to “Co-create a people-first behavioral health system that meets the needs of all people in Colorado”. That co-creation is only possible when grounded in meaningful collaboration with state and local government agencies, community partners and community members. From state staff to providers, from legislators to individuals, your perspectives, experiences & needs matter.

We thank our partners for their passion, contribution, and commitment to transforming the behavioral health system, and encourage everyone to join us in the journey toward making behavioral health care accessible, affordable, and equitable for all people in Colorado.

Our Partner Statement

We, the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, are eager to collaborate with statewide partners in creating opportunities for all people in Colorado to achieve mental wellness. While much of our work is focused on those in need of behavioral health supports, we are equally committed to creating valuable experiences and outcomes within our partnership. Our people-first promise galvanizes us to be a dependable, strategic, and passionate partner, all with a focus on breaking through barriers and siloes to achieve our greater purpose. It is our aim to operate as a community anchor, supporting your efforts while elevating our collective cause. Together, we will do the exceedingly important work of being innovative change-makers, setting a new standard for comprehensive, equitable, and effective behavioral health care across our state.

Through this partnership, may we all be dedicated advocates of:

  • Acting responsibly and in the best interests of all people in Colorado.
  • Operating with a people-first, approach - acknowledging when harm has been done and taking purposeful action towards meaningful remedies.
  • Upholding our shared ideals and values to function as a conduit of change, not a source of conflict.
  • Disclosing all relevant data and metrics, holding ourselves accountable to agreed-upon measurements of success and effectiveness.
  • Embracing openness, where readily sharing information and insights creates efficiencies and expands possibilities.

For more information on how the BHA is approaching partnership and collaboration throughout its implementation, please read the Plan for the Creation of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) which was submitted to Colorado Legislature on November 1, 2021. This plan provides detail on how the BHA is expected to operate. It covers the functions of the BHA, as well as how an aligned, strategic approach will advance accountability and transparency. Read the Executive Summary, available in English and Spanish.

Behavioral Health Commissioner Dr. Morgan Medlock has embarked on a statewide tour to better understand the behavioral health needs of people in Colorado. Dr. Medlock is meeting with community partners and members from across the state. To learn more about this engagement and highlights from the tour, visit the Statewide Tour page.

  1. Access the latest info & resources: Bookmark this website and continue to check in for the latest behavioral health resources and information on the BHA’s efforts.
  2. Share your thoughts: Submit your ideas, questions or concerns via the feedback form
  3. Spread the word: Engage with us on social media and share our posts with your colleagues, partners and community.
  4. Stay informed: Subscribe to our BHA newsletter for monthly updates on Colorado’s behavioral health reform efforts.

The creation of the BHA is based on robust partner engagement including interviews, focus groups and open forums with state personnel, community partners and individuals with lived experience. Click here for a project dashboard highlighting elements of the robust partner engagement conducted from January 2021 - October 2022 including individuals engaged and diverse perspectives represented. The State of Colorado, in partnership with Health Management Associates, a Colorado-based independent consulting and research firm, led the engagement process which included the following:

State Agency Engagement

HMA used a tiered discovery process to engage leadership, subject matter experts and others within the following select state agencies:

  • Colorado Department of Agriculture
  • Colorado Department of Education
  • Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
  • Colorado Department of Higher Education
  • Colorado Department of Human Services
  • Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
  • Colorado Department of Public Safety
  • Colorado Department of Corrections
  • Colorado Department of Local Affairs
  • Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
  • Colorado Division of Veteran Affairs
  • Colorado Judicial Branch
  • Colorado Workforce Development Council

HMA also utilized a number of data tools for quantitative data—supplementing and verifying accuracy with agency staff as needed.​

Partner & Community Member Engagement 

HMA has engaged various partners and community members via targeted focus groups and open forums including representatives from counties / local government, system advocates, hospitals, primary care, child advocates, Regional Accountable Entities (RAE), Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC), Managed Service Organizations (MSO) and Administrative Services Organizations (ASO), and consumers. A second open forum was conducted to connect directly with individuals, peers and family members with behavioral health lived experience.

Summary of Themes & Voices

HMA conducted interviews, targeted focus groups and an open forum in April and May of 2021 to discuss draft models for how the BHA could be formed to best serve Coloradans. Click here for a summary featuring an overview of common themes, takeaways, quotes and questions from the engagement sessions. Additionally, HMA led targeted focus groups and an open forum in September and October 2021 to provide stakeholders with an overview of the proposed plan of how the BHA could work, who may make up the BHA, what the BHA could offer that is new, a timeline for implementation, and next steps. Click here for a recap of common themes, takeaways, and questions from the engagement sessions.