First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REVISED
LLS NO. R25-0325.01 Frank Stoner x5498
HJR25-1008
House Committees Senate Committees
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 25-1008
C
ONCERNING DESIGNATING THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER AS101
"C
O-RESPONDER UNITS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS102
P
ROFESSIONALS WEEK" IN COLORADO.103
WHEREAS, The State of Colorado is committed to providing1
support for those facing behavioral health issues in our community; and2
WHEREAS, Behavioral health describes the emotions and3
behaviors that affect an individual's overall well-being, including mental4
health disorders and substance use; and5
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that6
more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness; and7
WHEREAS, Widespread opioid use continues to grow across the8
SENATE
Final Reading
February 10, 2025
HOUSE
Final Reading
January 29, 2025
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
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, McCluskie, 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
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Michaelson Jenet and Pelton B., Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin,
Coleman, 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.
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. nation and our state, with over 80,000 overdose deaths occurring1
nationally in 2023; and2
WHEREAS, Behavioral health conditions may lead to3
homelessness, criminal charges, and arrests and have a serious impact on4
our communities; and5
WHEREAS, The many issues created by mental illness, substance6
use, and addiction are community problems, but the burden of their7
solution must not be shouldered solely by law enforcement, fire services,8
and emergency medical services staff; and9
WHEREAS, Many communities have turned to the evidence-based10
and proven-effective programs called Co-Responder programs; and11
WHEREAS, The Co-Responder model pairs law enforcement, fire12
services, and emergency medical services with behavioral health crisis13
professionals to intervene and respond to behavioral health-related14
emergencies; and15
WHEREAS, These units utilize the combined expertise of law16
enforcement and first responders with behavioral health crisis17
professionals to de-escalate situations and help link individuals18
experiencing behavioral health issues to appropriate resources in their19
communities, including counseling; access to medication;20
medical-assisted treatment for alcohol and drug dependency; and access21
to housing, food, basic necessities, and other similar resources; and22
WHEREAS, Co-Responder programs have expanded across many23
communities within Colorado, offering both statewide and local support.24
Co-Responder Units in Colorado have embraced the philosophy of25
meeting those in need where they are to offer emergency access to26
treatment, connection to community resources, and ongoing care; and27
WHEREAS, Colorado Co-Responder Units have responded to28
thousands of emergency and non-emergency calls for service, provided29
crisis intervention, conducted important follow-up conversations,30
developed safety plans, and assisted people in getting connected with the31
resources they need for healthier living; and32
WHEREAS, These first responders and behavioral health crisis33
professionals have shown exceptional commitment, dedication,34
1008
-2- leadership, and passion to help those in need, reinforcing how vital their1
work is to the communities of Colorado; now, therefore,2
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth3
General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:4
(1) That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly,5
along with the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance (COCRA) and the6
International Co-Responder Alliance (ICRA), hereby dedicate the week7
of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as Co-Responder Units and8
Behavioral Health Crisis Professionals Week in Colorado;9
(2) That we express our appreciation and gratitude for the10
co-responder units and behavioral health crisis professionals working11
across Colorado who routinely respond to crisis situations, sometimes12
putting themselves in harm's way, to ensure the best possible outcomes13
for their communities; and14
(3) That we call upon Coloradans to recognize, honor, and give15
thanks to these amazing professionals for their daily service and great16
work they do to assist those in need.17
Be It Further Resolved, That two copies of this Joint Resolution18
be sent to Sergeant Robert L. Cook of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office19
on behalf of both the Colorado Co-Responder Alliance and the20
International Co-Responder Alliance.21
1008
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