Unanimous

March 30, 2018

Put six Republicans and three Democrats on the same stage, and you might not expect them to agree on anything. When it comes to improving mental health care, however, you can find common ground.

Nine candidates shared a stage last week at our first-ever gubernatorial forum. If you were among the 400 people who joined us, thank you!

Even if you couldn’t make it, you can watch the forum (thanks to Children’s Hospital Colorado and Costello Productions) here. If you don’t have an hour, check out this four-minute recap.

The candidates fielded eight questions on mental health and substance use policy. Most said they wanted to expand school-based services, drug and alcohol treatment, and suicide prevention programs, although they differed on the details.

One proposal drew unanimous support: the Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO. These court orders allow law enforcement officers, following due process, to remove weapons from the homes of people who pose a danger to themselves or others.

Five states have enacted ERPO laws. Please tell Colorado’s legislators to do the same.

We’re working with members of both parties to introduce and pass such a bill right now. Both Governor John Hickenlooper and—judging from our forum—his successor have pledged to sign it.

-Andrew Romanoff