House Joint Resolution 25-1008 Engrossed

House Joint Resolution 25-1008

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning designating the third week of September as

• Page 1, Line 102"Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis

• Page 1, Line 103Professionals Week" in Colorado.

• Page 1, Line 1WHEREAS, The State of Colorado is committed to providing support for those facing behavioral health issues in our community; and

• Page 1, Line 2

• Page 1, Line 3WHEREAS, Behavioral health describes the emotions and

• Page 1, Line 4behaviors that affect an individual's overall well-being, including mental health disorders and substance use; and

• Page 1, Line 5

• Page 1, Line 6WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness; and

• Page 1, Line 7

• Page 1, Line 8WHEREAS, Widespread opioid use continues to grow across the

• Page 2, Line 1nation and our state, with over 80,000 overdose deaths occurring nationally in 2023; and

• Page 2, Line 2

• Page 2, Line 3WHEREAS, Behavioral health conditions may lead to

• Page 2, Line 4homelessness, criminal charges, and arrests and have a serious impact on our communities; and

• Page 2, Line 5

• Page 2, Line 6WHEREAS, The many issues created by mental illness, substance

• Page 2, Line 7use, and addiction are community problems, but the burden of their

• Page 2, Line 8solution must not be shouldered solely by law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical services staff; and

• Page 2, Line 9

• Page 2, Line 10WHEREAS, Many communities have turned to the evidence-based and proven-effective programs called Co-Responder programs; and

• Page 2, Line 11

• Page 2, Line 12WHEREAS, The Co-Responder model pairs law enforcement, fire

• Page 2, Line 13services, and emergency medical services with behavioral health crisis

• Page 2, Line 14professionals to intervene and respond to behavioral health-related emergencies; and

• Page 2, Line 15

• Page 2, Line 16WHEREAS, These units utilize the combined expertise of law

• Page 2, Line 17enforcement and first responders with behavioral health crisis

• Page 2, Line 18professionals to de-escalate situations and help link individuals

• Page 2, Line 19experiencing behavioral health issues to appropriate resources in their

• Page 2, Line 20communities, including counseling; access to medication;

• Page 2, Line 21medical-assisted treatment for alcohol and drug dependency; and access to housing, food, basic necessities, and other similar resources; and

• Page 2, Line 22

• Page 2, Line 23WHEREAS, Co-Responder programs have expanded across many

• Page 2, Line 24communities within Colorado, offering both statewide and local support.

• Page 2, Line 25Co-Responder Units in Colorado have embraced the philosophy of

• Page 2, Line 26meeting those in need where they are to offer emergency access to treatment, connection to community resources, and ongoing care; and

• Page 2, Line 27

• Page 2, Line 28WHEREAS, Colorado Co-Responder Units have responded to

• Page 2, Line 29thousands of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, provided

• Page 2, Line 30crisis intervention, conducted important follow-up conversations,

• Page 2, Line 31developed safety plans, and assisted people in getting connected with the resources they need for healthier living; and

• Page 2, Line 32

• Page 2, Line 33WHEREAS, These first responders and behavioral health crisis

• Page 2, Line 34professionals have shown exceptional commitment, dedication,

• Page 3, Line 1leadership, and passion to help those in need, reinforcing how vital their work is to the communities of Colorado; now, therefore,

• Page 3, Line 2

• Page 3, Line 3Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:

• Page 3, Line 4

• Page 3, Line 5(1)  That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly,

• Page 3, Line 6along with the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance (COCRA) and the

• Page 3, Line 7International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA), hereby dedicate the week

• Page 3, Line 8of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week in Colorado;

• Page 3, Line 9

• Page 3, Line 10(2)  That we express our appreciation and gratitude for the

• Page 3, Line 11co-responder units and behavioral health crisis professionals working

• Page 3, Line 12across Colorado who routinely respond to crisis situations, sometimes

• Page 3, Line 13putting themselves in harm's way, to ensure the best possible outcomes for their communities; and

• Page 3, Line 14

• Page 3, Line 15(3)  That we call upon Coloradans to recognize, honor, and give

• Page 3, Line 16thanks to these amazing professionals for their daily service and great work they do to assist those in need.

• Page 3, Line 17

• Page 3, Line 18Be It Further Resolved, That two copies of this Joint Resolution

• Page 3, Line 19be sent to Sergeant Robert L. Cook of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office

• Page 3, Line 20on behalf of both the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance and the International Co-Responder Alliance.