Press releases
Mental Health Colorado, Governor’s office kick off ‘Mental Health Month’ with focus on treatment access for rural Coloradans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 1, 2019
Media Contact: Aubree Hughes, 405-615-3845
Mental Health Colorado, Governor’s office kick off ‘Mental Health Month’ with focus on treatment access for rural Coloradans
DENVER—Key allies joined together today to declare May as ‘Mental Health Month.” Mental Health Colorado’s theme for May is “Navigating the System: Access for all Coloradans.”
“As a statewide advocacy organization, Mental Health Colorado is committed to ensuring access to mental health and substance use treatment,” said Nancy VanDeMark, ...
Bill would end insurance discrimination for mental health, addiction treatment: HB19-1269 addresses Colorado’s opioid and suicide crises
Media contacts:
Kara Rowland, 202-288-2802
Aubree Hughes, 405-615-3845
DENVER, March 26 – More than a million Coloradans face a mental health or substance use disorder. Only half get the care they need. House Bill 19-1269 will hold insurers accountable to current state and federal parity laws that require treating mental health and addiction equal to physical health care.
Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. The bill sponsors, Reps. Tom Sullivan and Lisa Cutter and Sen. Joann Ginal, are working with Mental Health Colorado to modernize ...
Mental Health Colorado endorses bill to help address “competency restoration” crisis
DENVER, March 29—Mental Health Colorado today endorsed legislation that would alleviate the strain on jails and other institutions by ensuring the state’s community behavioral health safety net system adequately serves the needs of all Coloradans. SB19-222 would establish safeguards so that those with serious mental health and substance use disorders, including co-occurring conditions, cannot be refused care.
The bill represents a critical step in addressing Colorado’s longstanding competency restoration crisis, which may cost state taxpayers ...
Former Denver Bronco Vance Johnson joins mental health advocates for an evening at the Haven in the Pines
By: Aubree Hughes
March 14, 2019
Despite three Superbowl appearances, Vance Johnson nearly lost his life to drugs and alcohol. The former Denver Bronco will join the City of Castle Pines on Saturday, June 22 for the 2nd Annual Unmasked Masquerade Party benefiting Mental Health Colorado. Channel 2 News and Fox 31’s Deborah Takahara will emcee the event at the Haven in the Pines.
Johnson will join advocates to share his struggles with addiction and his story of recovery. The world-class athlete dedicates his life to helping people who are struggling with addicti...
Mental Health Colorado: “Extreme risk” legislation would save lives
DENVER, Feb. 14—Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocate for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, today endorsed legislation that would allow for the temporary removal of firearms from a person who poses a significant risk to themselves or others. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws have been shown to reduce suicide deaths in states that have them and this measure would be a vital addition to Colorado’s suicide prevention agenda.
Sponsored by Reps. Tom Sullivan and Alec Garnett, the bill creates a ...
Romanoff Steps Down as Mental Health Colorado President and CEO
Romanoff Steps Down as Mental Health Colorado President and CEO
DENVER, Feb. 7—Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocate for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, today announced the departure of President and CEO Andrew Romanoff.
“We are grateful to Andrew for his visionary leadership over the past four years,” said Aaron Hyatt, chair of the Mental Health Colorado Board of Directors. “During his tenure, we evolved from a program-based organization to a true champion for the 1 million Coloradans who experience ...
Colorado Lawmakers Prioritize Mental Health in 2019 Session
Bills would expand school access, allow for advance behavioral health orders
DENVER, Jan. 7—As the 2019 legislative session kicks off, Mental Health Colorado applauded lawmakers for making mental health a priority by introducing key bills to improve prevention and treatment services throughout the state.
One measure addresses the critical shortage of mental health resources in schools by bolstering the existing School Health Professional Grant Program to allow schools to team up with community partners to provide behavioral health services. A provision ...
Victories in 10 Counties Steer Record $67 Million to Mental Health, Substance Use Treatment
DENVER, Nov. 12—Ten Colorado counties are leading the way to improving mental health services in their communities. The counties and their mental health proposals are listed at mentalhealthcolorado.org/ballot2018.
Victories in Denver, Larimer, San Miguel, and Summit counties will steer a record $67 million to the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Voters also agreed to fund school-based mental health programs in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties; jail-based services in Boulder County; and community resources in Pitkin ...
11 Colorado Communities Not ‘Waiting for Washington’ to Fix Mental Health
DENVER, Nov. 1—Eleven Colorado communities are seeking funding for mental health services through ballot measures. All measures are aimed at adding treatment and prevention in schools, jails, or hospitals. The counties and their mental health proposals are listed at mentalhealthcolorado.org/ballot2018.
“I think what's happening is a lot of communities recognize that it's cheaper to prevent or treat mental illness than to ignore it or to criminalize it,” said Mental Health Colorado President & CEO Andrew Romanoff. “A lot recognize that waiting for Washington ...
AG Cynthia H. Coffman Announces Funding for First-of-its-Kind Pediatric Mental Health Initiative
Attorney General’s Office to provide critical funding to help young people seeking mental health treatment and support
DENVER, Oct. 16, 2018—Today, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman announced that her office will provide a $2.8 million grant to launch a transformational initiative that will increase access to mental health services and support for young people across Colorado. Attorney General Coffman’s Office was joined by Jena Hausmann, President & CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado, Andrew Romanoff, President and CEO of Mental Health Colora...
