House Joint Resolution 25-1008

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 25-1008

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Armagost and Bird, Bacon, Barron, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, English, Espenoza, Feret, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Pugliese, Richardson, Ricks, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, Zokaie, McCluskie;

also SENATOR(S) Michaelson Jenet and Pelton B., Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jaquez Lewis, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Liston, Lundeen, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman.

CONCERNING DESIGNATING THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER AS "CO-RESPONDER UNITS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS PROFESSIONALS WEEK" IN COLORADO.

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

WHEREAS, Behavioral health describes the emotions and behaviors that affect an individual's overall well-being, including mental health disorders and substance use; and

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

WHEREAS, Widespread opioid use continues to grow across the nation and our state, with over 80,000 overdose deaths occurring nationally in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Behavioral health conditions may lead to homelessness, criminal charges, and arrests and have a serious impact on our communities; and

WHEREAS, The many issues created by mental illness, substance use, and addiction are community problems, but the burden of their solution must not be shouldered solely by law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical services staff; and

WHEREAS, Many communities have turned to the evidence-based and proven-effective programs called Co-Responder programs; and

WHEREAS, The Co-Responder model pairs law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical services with behavioral health crisis professionals to intervene and respond to behavioral health-related emergencies; and

WHEREAS, These units utilize the combined expertise of law enforcement and first responders with behavioral health crisis professionals to de-escalate situations and help link individuals experiencing behavioral health issues to appropriate resources in their communities, including counseling; access to medication; medical-assisted treatment for alcohol and drug dependency; and access to housing, food, basic necessities, and other similar resources; and

WHEREAS, Co-Responder programs have expanded across many communities within Colorado, offering both statewide and local support. Co-Responder Units in Colorado have embraced the philosophy of meeting those in need where they are to offer emergency access to treatment, connection to community resources, and ongoing care; and

WHEREAS, Colorado Co-Responder Units have responded to thousands of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, provided crisis intervention, conducted important follow-up conversations, developed safety plans, and assisted people in getting connected with the resources they need for healthier living; and

WHEREAS, These first responders and behavioral health crisis professionals have shown exceptional commitment, dedication, leadership, and passion to help those in need, reinforcing how vital their work is to the communities of Colorado; now, therefore,

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

(1)  That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly, along with the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance (COCRA) and the International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA), hereby dedicate the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as Co-Responder Units and Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week in Colorado;

(2)  That we express our appreciation and gratitude for the co-responder units and behavioral health crisis professionals working across Colorado who routinely respond to crisis situations, sometimes putting themselves in harm's way, to ensure the best possible outcomes for their communities; and

(3)  That we call upon Coloradans to recognize, honor, and give thanks to these amazing professionals for their daily service and great work they do to assist those in need.

Be It Further Resolved, That two copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to Sergeant Robert L. Cook of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office on behalf of both the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance and the International Co-Responder Alliance.