Atchity replaces Romanoff as the head of Mental Health Colorado

Mental Health Colorado has a new leader, now that Andrew Romanoff is running for U.S. Senate.

The non-partisan advocacy nonprofit named Vincent Atchity its permanent president and CEO Thursday.

Nancy VanDeMark led the 65-year-old organization on an interim basis since Romanoff, the former speaker of the Colorado House, stepped down late last year after four years. VanDeMark is the former director of the Office of Behavioral Health at the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Atchity has been the executive director of The Equitas Project, which works on mental health issues and policies involving criminal justice.

In its announcement, Mental Health Colorado said Atchity would “leverage a statewide network of partners in advocacy, health care, government, education, public safety and the justice system to drive systemic transformation to Colorado’s mental health landscape.”

“Every Coloradan has a role to play in supporting improved mental health,” Atchity said in a statement. “There can be no passive waiting for someone somewhere else to do something. I look forward to joining Mental Health Colorado in continuing to advance collaborative, cross-sector efforts to improve mental health and access to quality care.”

Moe Keller, a former state legislator who is Mental Health Colorado’s director of advocacy, said the organization’s leaders are excited to have Atchity onboard.

“Vincent brings so much knowledge and passion around mental health, and we are looking forward to his leadership,” she stated. “From my previous years working with Vincent, I know his collaborative and inclusive style will serve us well.”