Tag: Mental Health
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Colorado lawmakers target ‘ghost networks’ to expand access to mental health care
A few years ago, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance conducted a “secret shopper” survey on health insurance plans across six states, including Colorado. Of the 120 providers called, one-third were either inaccurately listed in the carrier database, out of service, or did not return the call. Only half of all calls to providers in…
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Colorado Coalition for the Homeless workers rally, citing low pay, high turnover
Dozens of Colorado Coalition for the Homeless frontline workers and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 rallied Thursday outside of a downtown CCH office building on north Broadway, calling on the nonprofit to address low wages and poor working conditions. The rally also comes on the heels of the city’s recent…
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Governor, legislators, advocates seek changes after cases expose gaps in Colorado’s competency system
After a series of high-profile crimes throughout the state last spring and summer exposed gaps in Colorado’s legal system for individuals declared incompetent to stand trial, lawmakers and an advocacy organization are pushing for changes this year. Extensive media coverage of cases such as Solomon Galligan’s — a convicted sex offender arrested last year for…
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Aurora Mental Health and Recovery opens ‘one-stop’ facility for health, substance use care
Aurora Mental Health and Recovery is opening a new facility that the organization said will provide “one-stop access” to mental healthcare and substance use care. AMHR’s Potomac Pavilion, a new 48,000-square-foot facility at 1290 S. Potomac St. in Aurora, is opening services to the public later this month. Kathie Snell, AMHR’s chief strategy and operations…
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Why doing good also makes us feel good, during the holidays and beyond
WASHINGTON (AP) — The holiday season is a time for giving thanks, giving gifts — and for many, a time for giving back. Food banks, services that deliver meals to seniors and other U.S. charities typically see a surge in volunteering between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. But there are good reasons to…
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Rising suicide rates prompt coordinated response in Routt and Moffat counties
Routt and Moffat counties have been going through a difficult period. Over the past few years, residents have lost neighbors, coworkers and longtime community members to suicide, losses that hit hard in places where people often know one another by first name. Last year, 10 people in Routt County and nine in Moffat County died…
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Colorado justices ponder ‘gotcha’ for defendant after messy process impacted mental health evidence
Some members of the Colorado Supreme Court were uncomfortable last week with letting a defendant’s murder conviction stand after a series of missteps resulted in a trial judge blocking jurors from hearing an expert’s assessment of the defendant’s mental health. Although the details were complicated, the legal issue was more streamlined: State law requires defendants…
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Colorado survey finds mental health improves, but young adults still struggle
Fewer Coloradans say they are struggling with their mental health, according to a new state survey, hinting at progress after the pandemic’s long shadow. Two years ago, as the country struggled to return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic, suicide was the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. among America’s youth and young adults.…
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Colorado Supreme Court signals intervention in 4 ongoing cases
The Colorado Supreme Court recently signaled that it may intervene in four cases from various trial courts, two criminal and two civil. At least four of the court’s seven members must agree to initiate the process of granting relief in a case outside the usual appellate procedure. The cases address an expert’s insight into child-parent…
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Parental rights group seeks to repeal competency law
A group of parental rights advocates and Republican lawmakers is urging the Colorado legislature to repeal a 2024 law that made changes to the state’s competency procedures. Established over the summer, the group called We The Parents includes members of the Colorado Parental Advocacy Network and legislators from the more conservative wing of the Republican…