DENVER (May 2, 2025) - Governor Jared Polis recently signed SB25-236 into law, designating the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line as the immediate way to connect to free emotional, mental health, or substance use support 24/7.
Starting July 1, 2025, calls or texts to the Colorado Crisis Services Line will be forwarded to the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line for support and services. The seven-member, volunteer, governor-appointed board has been responsible for governing the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line and its implementation in Colorado since July 2022. The 988 Enterprise Board and the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration will work together to facilitate this streamlining, with a comprehensive plan that prioritizes access to immediate support for all people in Colorado.
How does this impact people in Colorado? The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line is the primary way for the people of Colorado to receive emotional, mental health, or substance use support. 988 is an easy to remember number you can call, text, or live chat 24/7.
What does this mean for the Colorado Crisis Services line? Starting July 1, 2025, calls and texts received through the Colorado Crisis Services Line will be forwarded to and answered by the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks. Questions can be directed toward 988Colorado@state.co.us.
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About The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line
The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988) is the easy-to-remember number that allows anyone concerned about mental health, emotional or substance use to be immediately connected with a trained specialist who will listen without judgement. 988 is free, confidential and available 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or visit 988Colorado.com to live chat.
About the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise
In preparation for the launch of 988 in Colorado, Senate Bill 21-154 established the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise in the Department to:
- Impose a 988 surcharge and a prepaid wireless 988 charge;
- Fund the 988 crisis hotline;
- Work with third parties to provide crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care;
- Authorize and issue revenue bonds payable from the newly created 988 Crisis Hotline Cash Fund; and
- Adopt, amend, or repeal policies to regulate its affairs.
The enterprise is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor.
About the Behavioral Health Administration
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is the state administration responsible for ensuring all people in Colorado have access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services, regardless of where they live, or ability to pay. As a regulatory body, BHA brings together community groups and governmental agencies to create a behavioral health system for all people in Colorado that is easy to access, and offers high-quality care that considers the whole person and their needs. Find us online at bha.colorado.gov or follow us on social media at @BHAConnect.