Tag: mental health
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Colorado candidates for governor share plans to tackle youth mental health crisis
Three candidates for Colorado’s highest elected office laid out their plans to address the state’s youth mental health crisis during a forum on Thursday. Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, and Republican State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer fielded questions about expanding access to mental health care for children, addressing the workforce shortage, and…
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Ex‑Bronco Montee Ball backs push at Colorado Capitol for stronger concussion protocols
Amid rising worries about the long‑term effects of head injuries in youth sports, a Colorado committee began reviewing legislation that would tighten concussion protocols and expand mental health awareness among coaches. Senate Bill 060 would require youth sports coaches to complete training on the mental health impacts of concussions. It would also require them to…
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El Paso County Sheriff’s Office asks for help locating missing, at-risk woman
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman last seen in Colorado Springs on Sunday afternoon. Haley, 45, has an “intellectual disability and mental health concerns” and is considered an at-risk adult, officials said in a social media post. Haley is 5-foot-10 and about 160 pounds,…
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Proposal to levy new fees on alcohol products in Colorado dies
The proposal to collect millions in new fees on alcohol products — dollars to be earmarked for Colorado programs aimed at addressing the behavioral and physical health effects of alcohol abuse — died on Tuesday. House Bill 1271 sought to create three separate “enterprises” and establish fees of $0.05 per gallon of beer and cider,…
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Colorado committee recommends rejecting alcohol, marijuana tax hike to fund mental health care
In a rare move, Colorado’s Capital Development Committee unanimously recommended that another legislative committee reject a bill asking voters to approve higher excise taxes on alcohol and marijuana to fund a new mental health hospital in Aurora. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, and Sen. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, House Bill 1301 proposes that all…
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Alleged ICE impersonator pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
A man involved in an hours-long standoff with law enforcement at a Colorado Springs home in August pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to most of his charges Tuesday. Antonio Mellon, 23, is accused of impersonating an immigration agent at an on-demand “ghost” delivery convenience store and then pointing a gun at law enforcement…
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Democrats eye new taxes on alcohol, marijuana to fund Colorado mental health spending
Facing hundreds of millions in budget shortfall, Colorado lawmakers are searching for ways to fund mental health services in a state that, advocates say, has consistently ranked among the worst in the nation for mental health outcomes. Several proposals this session aim to generate new revenue for treatment and hospital beds. The ideas — including…
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10th Circuit upholds violations, sanctions against Colorado Springs mental health hospital
The Denver-based federal appeals court agreed earlier this month that the government properly cited and penalized a Colorado Springs psychiatric hospital for failing to protect its staff from known risks posed by patients. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Cedar Springs Hospital in 2019. OSHA then issued a citation alleging that Cedar Springs violated…
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Colorado Supreme Court reverses Jeffco judge’s order for fender-bender plaintiff to undergo mental evaluation
The Colorado Supreme Court concluded on Monday that a Jefferson County judge improperly ordered a plaintiff in a personal injury case to sit for a mental health examination after the defendant’s experts suggested her injuries were actually psychological. The justices sided with plaintiff Spring Charlson, whose attorneys warned against allowing defense attorneys to delve into…
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Loss of grants leaves lingering effects
A recent report from the director of academic services for the Woodland Park School District highlighted the lingering effects of the loss of mental health-related state grant funding for students as well as staff. “The teachers are tired and seeing more behavioral events in classes,” said Karen Hamlow, speaking Dec. 17 during an informal school…