Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated the announcement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that Colorado would receive $1 million to address the mental health crisis and expand community behavioral health care. The one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program funding – made available through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – will help Colorado plan and develop a model to expand and improve community based behavioral health care.
“America is experiencing a mental health crisis. I’m glad Colorado will be among the first states in the nation to receive this funding to expand access to mental and behavioral health care for communities across our state, regardless of peoples’ ability to pay,” said Bennet.
“Every Coloradan who needs support to manage their mental health or substance use struggles should get the care they need,” said Hickenlooper. “This investment from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a step toward addressing our mental health crisis and making sure every community has that access.”
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) offer comprehensive behavioral health care to anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence, or age. This funding will help states develop their CCBHC certification processes, establish prospective payment systems for Medicaid-reimbursable services, and prepare an application to participate in a four-year demonstration program. Colorado was one of 13 states and Washington, D.C. to be selected for the funding. In 2026, up to 10 of these states will be selected to participate in the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program and receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursement.
In 2022, Bennet and Hickenlooper helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to tackle the national mental health crisis and help gun violence in the United States.