Laws and Rules
Colorado is actively engaged in regulatory changes and behavioral health reform. If you are interested in learning more about the BHA rule process, upcoming rule events, and information pertaining to licensing, this Laws and Rules page is your resource to stay informed.
Last updated: February 12, 2026
Iterative rule volumes
BHA is committed to ensuring the people of Colorado receive quality behavioral health services. This requires BHA rules and regulations to remain updated and relevant. BHA is responsible for the three (3) rule volumes found on the Secretary of State’s (SOS) behavioral health web page.
- 2 CCR 502-1 contains Provider Rules that set licensing, designation, and approval requirements for programs and behavioral health facilities;
- 2 CCR 502-5 contains System/Commissioner Rules that address programmatic-specific rules and will be the mechanism for how BHA shares the vision of the behavioral health system; and
- 2 CCR 502-6 contains Administrative Rules that establish how programs, initiatives, or services are applied for and/or accessed.
To learn more about these rule volumes, review this BHA Rules Fact Sheet. For more information about BHA rule volumes, visit the Contact and Additional Information section at the bottom of this page.
Proposed Rule Updates and Events Calendar
BHA and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) are working with the substance use disorder (SUD) provider community to align BHA Provider Rules 2 CCR 502-1 with the American Society of Addiction Medicine 4th Edition (ASAM 4th Ed.). With an implementation date of July 1, 2027, BHA-led community engagement opportunities are being held throughout the state to gather feedback and ensure individuals are receiving the most appropriate and highest quality of care, in a manner that supports the needs of our communities. Community feedback is being accepted from January 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026. Individuals may provide feedback through this 2026 BHA Rule Feedback Form, or through email at cdhs_bharulefeedback@state.co.us. For additional information about this proposed rule update, review the “Provider Rules ASAM 4th Ed. Alignment” dropdown under the Contact and Additional Information section at the bottom of this page.
Resources & Proposed Chapter Updates
- Chapter 1: General Statutory Authority, Definitions, and Standards
- Chapter 2: Behavioral Health Entity (BHE) Licensing Standards
- Chapter 3: Recovery Support Services
- These standards have been incorporated into another Chapter. There is no Chapter 3 content to review at this time.
- Chapter 4: Behavioral Health Outpatient and High-Intensity Outpatient Services
- Chapter 5: Behavioral Health Residential Services
- Chapter 6: Crisis Services Standards
- Chapter 7: Emergency and Involuntary Substance Use Disorder Commitment Services
- Chapter 8: Services for Children and Families
- Chapter 9: Maternal and Perinatal Behavioral Health Treatment
- Chapter 10: Services for Criminal Justice-Involved Individuals
- Chapter 11: Designation of Facilities for the Care and Treatment of Persons with Mental Health Disorders
- Chapter 12: Behavioral Health Safety Net Provider Approval Standards
- Chapter 13: Controlled Substance Services (CSL)
- clean PDF coming soon / redline PDF
- Chapter 14: Recovery Support Services Organizations
- Chapter 15: Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery Services
Event Calendar
BHA invites all community members to join one (1) or more in-person or virtual meeting to share their feedback regarding proposed changes to BHA Provider Rules 2 CCR 502-1. Event details, including registration links, are noted on this calendar. Events are subject to change, so please visit this calendar often. If the calendar view is not preferred, please review this alternative viewing option.
Additional Rule-Related Projects
- BHA System Rules 2 CCR 502-5
The BHA Regulatory Affairs Unit has produced a first draft of the Military Family Behavioral Health Grant Program (HB25-1132) that will be incorporated into System/Commissioner Rules 2 CCR 502-5. Additional information about the grant program and Community Canvassing sessions will be provided in early Spring of 2026.
Impacted Rule Volume: System/Commissioner Rules (2 CCR 502-5)
Impacted Chapter: 4
Open feedback period: Summer 2026
Commissioner Read(s) anticipated: Fall 2026
Effective date anticipated: November of 2026Proposed Chapter Updates: Military Family Behavioral Health Grant Program
Feedback: Individuals may provide feedback through this 2026 BHA Systems Rule Feedback Form, or through email at cdhs_bharulefeedback@state.co.us.
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grant
Colorado was awarded a planning grant for the 2025 calendar year from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant provided the necessary resources to engage with both the planning and demonstration phases of the project. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) are partnering to lead the effort to explore how the CCBHC model may complement Colorado’s Safety Net System, promoting the overall goal of integrated and accessible behavioral health care with sustainable funding practices.
Within the framework of the demonstration, BHA is specifically focused on leading the certification process for the CCBHC project.To assist providers and organizations in successfully navigating this transition, we have developed a suite of comprehensive guidance documents. These resources are designed to provide clear explanations and detailed technical insights into the standards and requirements necessary to achieve and maintain certification as a CCBHC facility in Colorado. Our goal is to ensure that all participating organizations have the clarity and support they need.
For additional information regarding the CCBHC Planning Grant, please visit HCPF’s CCBHC Planning Grant webpage for additional information and stakeholder opportunities.
Contact and Additional Information
- BHA Rule Volumes
For more information about what constitutes a "rule", the process of rule-making within BHA, and the role of the community in the rule-making process, please visit this BHA Rules Fact Sheet, or view archived rule recordings on the BHA YouTube Channel.
- Provider Rules ASAM 4th Ed. Alignment
These standards will update the behavioral health continuum to ensure alignment with the Adult Version (Volume 1) of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria. This is the national standard for substance use disorder and co-occurring services upon which Colorado’s behavioral health system is built.
Impacted Rule Volume(s): Provider Rules
Impacted Chapter(s): Ch. 1 - 14
Draft language: Available in the “Proposed Rule Updates” part of this page
Open feedback period: January 1 through March 31, 2026
SBHS Read(s) anticipated: Fall of 2026
Effective date anticipated: July 1, 2027Additional transition resources, tailored to Level 3.2-WM providers but available to all who are interested, may be found on the Provider Ambassador Program page. Additional provide resources may be found on the HCPF SUD Provider webpage.
- Contact Us - Policy, Rule Feedback, and General Concerns
Email address Purpose What to send here? Monitored by
cdhs_bharulefeedback@state.co.usQ&S email inbox that focuses on feedback and needs specific to BHA provider rules (2 CCR 502-1) - Suggestions for changes to the behavioral health rules
- Suggestions are welcome at all times, although changes can only be made through a rule promulgation process. BHA plans to undergo rule promulgation annually.
Safety Net licensing team cdhs_bha_complaint@state.co.us Q&S email inbox that focuses on complaints and grievances on any BHA licensed and/or designated agency - Complaints about BHA licensed and/or designated agency
- Concerns about the quality of services and standards of a BHA-licensed and/or designated agency
BHA Ombudsman Liaison and supports cdhs_bha_feedback@state.co.us Q&S email inbox that focuses on any constructive feedback for BHA - BHA feedback
- Stakeholder feedback for the new grievance system (in development)
BHA Ombudsman Liaison and supports
- Contact Us - Provider Support
Email address Purpose What to send here? Monitored by
BHA_QS_Division@state.co.usEmail inbox that is equipped to handle a larger volume of emails that may contain sensitive information - Fingerprint-involved needs
- 27-65 questions
- Generic and/or onboarding-focused licensing inquiries
Q&S division supervisors and an onboarding licensing staff (able to assist with generic licensing inquiries) cdhs_bha_provider_support@state.co.us Data and a provider-focused email inbox that is equipped to handle technology and data-involved support needs - TMS needs
- DRS record requests
- Data needs (DACODS and/or CCAR)
- Central Registry needs
Data and technological support team cdhs_ladders@state.co.us Equipped to handle provider support needs related to the LADDERS licensing system - Access issues
- Adding or removing personnel to LADDERS system
LADDERS support team