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