Mental Health Colorado Releases 2026 Legislative Report & Scorecard

Every year, Mental Health Colorado works alongside advocates, people with lived experience, providers, and lawmakers to advance policies that promote healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans. Today, we’re proud to release our 2026 Legislative Report & Scorecard, highlighting the legislation we championed during the 2026 General Assembly and recognizing the lawmakers whose votes advanced health, well-being, and equitable access to care.

This year’s report reflects meaningful bipartisan progress toward a Colorado where every person has the support they need to thrive before experiencing a crisis. From expanding access to behavioral health care to strengthening protections for young people, older adults, and individuals in recovery, the 2026 legislative session demonstrated that thoughtful public policy can improve health outcomes and build stronger communities.

Read the Full Report Here

Highlights from the 2026 Legislative Session

Among Mental Health Colorado’s most significant policy victories was the passage of SB26-060, Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act, which requires mental health education and concussion awareness training for youth sports coaches. Named in honor of Alyssa Peterson, the law recognizes the connection between brain injuries and mental health and helps equip trusted adults to identify and respond to concerns earlier.

The report also highlights Mental Health Colorado’s advocacy in support of legislation that:

• Established additional safeguards to reduce harms associated with sports betting (SB26-131)
• Created guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy (HB26-1195)
• Established Colorado’s ibogaine research pilot program within the Behavioral Health Administration (HB26-1325)
• Required recovery residences to obtain licensure through the Behavioral Health Administration (SB26-113)

The report also summarizes Mental Health Colorado’s work to advance policies that improve access to housing, healthcare, and community supports; reduce harms associated with drugs and alcohol; end health-based discrimination; and continue shifting Colorado’s approach from crisis response toward prevention and early intervention.

2026 Legislative Scorecard

The 2026 Legislative Scorecard evaluates how Colorado legislators voted on five key priority bills aligned with Mental Health Colorado’s mission to pass laws, change practices, and build a movement that promotes healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans. Lawmakers earning the highest scores demonstrated strong support for policies that expand access to care, promote well-being, and reduce health-based discrimination.

This year, 62 Colorado lawmakers earned perfect scores for their support of Mental Health Colorado’s legislative priorities.