Colorado Revised Statutes Title 13. Courts and Court Procedure § 13-95-101. Legislative declaration and intent

(a) Colorado's citizens who are living with mental health and substance use disorders are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and they are at a significantly greater risk of incurring criminal justice involvement, longer terms of involvement, and harsher consequences of that involvement when compared to the general public;

(b) Colorado must make a commitment to ensure that all individuals within the criminal justice system are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their behavioral health history or mental state; and

(c) There is a significant need for enhanced communication among health-care systems, behavioral health systems, and criminal justice entities, including law enforcement, defense attorneys, district attorneys, county attorneys, judges, and probation, to foster collaboration that provides all individuals with a fair chance of living a healthy and productive life.

(a) Colorado has an obligation to ensure that entities within the criminal justice system are equipped with a greater understanding of behavioral health treatment options in the community; and

(b) Community mental health providers, including community mental health centers, are a critical component of achieving positive outcomes for individuals living with mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders and have long held an essential role in engaging criminal justice entities.

(a) Promote positive outcomes for individuals living with mental health or co-occurring behavioral health conditions;

(b) Inform criminal justice entities about community treatment options; and

(c) Connect individuals to behavioral health services.