For many Coloradans, finding help for mental health or substance use challenges can feel like navigating a maze, especially without insurance or a clear starting point. A new statewide initiative hopes to change that.
On Wednesday, state leaders gathered at the Capitol Building in Denver to celebrate the official launch of Colorado LIFTS (Linking Individuals and Families To Services), a program designed to make behavioral health support easier to find and access, no matter where someone lives or what kind of insurance they have.
“Today, we’re taking an important step toward making help more available to those in need,” said Governor Jared Polis during the rally and resource fair hosted by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).
With Colorado LIFTS, anyone seeking mental health or substance use care can visit ownpath.co, enter their zip code, and connect to a local care navigator or service provider. Whether someone is uninsured or underinsured, on Medicaid, or has private insurance, the goal is the same: help them get support close to home without unnecessary obstacles.
“If you live in Sterling or Pueblo, you don’t need a provider in Denver. You need one in your region,” Polis said. “Creating a simple, easy portal to access the help you need is a big step, and that’s why we’re here celebrating this launch today.”
At the heart of the initiative are four Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, or BHASOs (pronounced “bah-so”). Each serves a different region of Colorado and acts as a hub that connects people to local services like therapy, addiction treatment, or crisis support.
But BHASOs do more than connect people to care. They manage provider partnerships, help connect uninsured and underinsured people to free or low-cost care funded by the state, track which programs are working, and adapt care services to meet regional needs.
Another key part of the program is reducing the paperwork and red tape that providers often face. That way, they can spend more time delivering care, especially in rural areas, where access is often limited.
“This is about connecting people to care and building local solutions that last,” said Meg Taylor, Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Rocky Mountain Health Plans, one of the organizations leading the effort.
Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera emphasized that equity and simplicity are key to the program’s design. “Access to behavioral healthcare shouldn’t depend on your income, your zip code, or your ability to navigate a complicated system. With Colorado LIFTS, we’re breaking down those barriers,” she said.
Dannette R. Smith, BHA Commissioner, highlighted the urgency driving the program’s launch. “Over 110,000 Coloradans may need publicly funded mental health care this year, and around 250,000 calls are expected to our 988 crisis line in the next six months,” she said. “People in Colorado need support. They need easy access to high-quality, affordable behavioral health services.”
Smith described Colorado LIFTS as a bold model for delivering care directly in communities, whether that is in hospitals, schools, or the justice system. “We want this system to be so responsive that people can reach out and touch the support they need,” she said. The first year, she added, will focus on identifying service gaps and acting quickly to close them. “We’re not just talking; we’re moving to action.”
Daniel Darting, CEO of Signal Behavioral Health, said this launch represents a turning point. “Change is one of the hardest things to achieve in healthcare, but thanks to the leadership of Governor Polis and Commissioner Smith, we have seen a commitment to addressing what has not been working in behavioral health.”
As Colorado LIFTS gets off the ground, state leaders and community partners hope it will become a lasting model that ensures no Coloradan has to face life’s toughest challenges without knowing where to turn.
“We're making it clear that no one should have to struggle alone with the challenges that life throws their way,” said Polis. “Over the years, we’ve made bold strides to streamline and elevate Colorado's behavioral health system, and the launch of Colorado LIFTS is a big step in that direction.”
