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Brain Wave

In Colorado, your story has the power to change laws, end health-based discrimination, and promote healthier minds across the lifespan. You don’t have to be an expert to be an advocate. You just have to be ready to make a difference.

The Need is Great Our Voices Must Be Greater

More than one million Coloradans experience a mental health or substance use condition each year, yet the majority go without treatment. Our state faces a profound crisis, but these numbers are not just statistics—they are our neighbors, our family members, and ourselves. Your voice is essential to create the change our communities deserve.

A Statewide Challenge

Colorado has the second-highest prevalence of mental illness in the United States, and more than one in four adults (27.7%) reported poor mental health in 2025.

Barriers to Access

860,000 Coloradans said they needed mental health care in 2025 but could not get it. The single biggest barrier was the financial cost of care.

Youth in Crisis

While Colorado has seen some improvements, 40% of high school students still report persistent sadness or hopelessness, and the state has invested heavily in programs like “I Matter” to provide free therapy sessions for youth.

Rural Disparities

Suicide rates in rural Colorado are significantly higher than in urban areas, highlighting the critical need for heightened awareness and prevention across the entire state.

One Voice Is a Ripple Together, We Are a Wave

The Brain Wave is Mental Health Colorado’s statewide network of over 1,600 grassroots advocates who are the driving force behind our policy work. We are not a clinical program or a therapy service. We are a powerful, organized community of people with lived experience, family members, providers, and passionate allies. We believe that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. By sharing our personal stories with lawmakers, the media, and community partners, we illustrate the real-world barriers to care, exemplary improvements in practice, and build the unstoppable momentum needed to create systemic change.

Join the Brain Wave

We Give You the Training You Provide the Voice

Becoming a powerful advocate doesn’t happen overnight, and you don’t have to do it alone. As a Brain Wave member, you will have the opportunity to work with Mental Health Colorado’s expert staff. We provide a variety of in-person and webinar trainings, one-on-one coaching, and all the tools you need to effectively and confidently influence local and state policies.

We’ll Teach You How To…

Persuade your elected officials effectively.
Shape public policy and understand the legislative process.
Engage with the news media.
Advocate for change in your local community.
Illustrate barriers to care through lived experience.
Join the Brain Wave

When We Speak Up, We Win.

Policy change isn’t theoretical. It’s real, and it has a real impact on the lives of Coloradans. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Brain Wave advocates who share their stories and demand action, Mental Health Colorado has helped secure landmark legislation. Your voice is part of a winning strategy.

Legislative Victories Powered by the Brain Wave

2017

SB17-207 Strengthen Colorado Behavioral Health Crisis System

Concerning strengthening Colorado’s statewide response to behavioral health crises, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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2017

HB17-1229 Workers’ Compensation For Mental Impairment

Concerning a clarification of when a worker may be compensated for a claim of mental impairment for a psychologically traumatic event under workers’ compensation.
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2017

HB17-1207 No Detention Facility Requirement Youth Ages 10-12

The bill creates provisions that remove the requirements for the department of human services to receive, detain, or provide care for any juvenile who is 10 years of age and older…
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2019

HB19-1193 Behavioral Health Supports For High-risk Families

The act amends existing programs that provide access to substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and parenting women up to one year postpartum. The act creates child care pilo…
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2019

HB19-1287 Treatment For Opioids And Substance Use Disorders

Concerning methods to increase access to treatment for behavioral health disorders, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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2019

HB19-1009 Substance Use Disorders Recovery

Concerning supports for persons recovering from substance use disorders, and, in connection therewith, expanding a program in the department of local affairs that provides voucher…
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2019

SB19-223 Actions Related To Competency To Proceed

Concerning actions related to competency to proceed, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation.
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2019

SB19-222 Individuals At Risk Of Institutionalization

Concerning the improvement of access to behavioral health services for individuals at risk of institutionalization, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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2019

HB19-1269 Mental Health Parity Insurance Medicaid

Concerning measures to improve behavioral health care coverage practices, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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2019

SB19-010 Professional Behavioral Health Services For Schools

Concerning professional behavioral health services for schools, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
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2026

SB26-060 Youth Coaches Mental Health Education & Concussion Awareness

Requires youth athlete coaches to receive basic mental health education and ensure parents are informed when a young athlete who sustains a concussion may experience related menta…
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2020

SB20-181 Measures on Incompetent to Proceed

Reform the criminal justice system for individuals who are languishing in jail awaiting competency restoration and create a work group to look at how enhanced sentencing laws disp…
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2020

SB20-007 Treatment Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders

Improves insurance coverage and increases access to care for substance use disorders.
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2020

HB20-1085 Prevention of Substance Use Disorders

Prevents substance use disorders.
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2020

HB20-1312 Behavioral Health Training Requirements Educator License

Requires that 10 out of the 90 hours required for teacher re-certification include some form of behavioral health training that is culturally responsive and trauma- and evidence-i…
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2021

HB21-1211 Regulation of Restrictive Housing in Jails

Ends the use of solitary confinement in Colorado jails for people with specific health conditions. As with many other states in the nation, individuals with serious mental health…
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2021

SB21-154 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network

Colorado’s suicide rate is one of the highest in the nation, especially for youth. Studies show most suicide attempts are made within three hours or less of someone having suicida…
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2021

HB21-1021 Peer Support Professionals Behavioral Health

Expands the reach of peer recovery support service programs by ensuring that peers are more widely available, reasonably compensated, and well trained.
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2022

HB22-1061 Modifications to Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

Allows the Court to order an individual found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) to be placed on conditional release immediately after being acquitted NGRI. It also sets up m…
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2023

SB23-176 Protections for People with an Eating Disorder

Prohibits certain health benefit plans or the state medical assistance program from utilizing the body mass index, ideal body weight, or any other standard requiring an achieved w…
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2023

HB23-1268 Private Treatment for Out-of-state Defendant

Clarifies the process for treating a supervised or unsupervised person in a private treatment program in Colorado and directs the program to assist the supervised or unsupervised…
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2023

HB23-1013 Use of Restrictive Practices in Prisons

Regulates the use of restrictive practices on individuals in correctional facilities. The bill prohibits the use of a clinical restraint on an individual unless certain criteria a…
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2024

SB24-117 Eating Disorder Treatment & Recovery Programs

Requires the behavioral health administration (BHA) to require all eating disorder treatment and recovery facilities to hold an appropriate designation based on the level of care…
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2025

SB25-042 Behavioral Health Crisis Response Recommendations

Requires the department of public safety (DPS), in collaboration with the behavioral health administration (BHA), to convene a stakeholder group to identify existing resources and…
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2025

HB25-1002 Medical Necessity Determination Insurance Coverage

Clarifies that the health benefits coverage for the prevention of, screening for, and treatment of behavioral, mental health, and substance use disorders must be no less extensive…
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    The Voices of the Wave

    “Sharing my story with legislators was terrifying, but it was the first time I felt like my struggle could actually prevent someone else’s. That’s power.”
    – Adriana, Brain Wave Advocate, Denver
    “As a pediatrician and a mother, I’ve seen the system from both sides. Advocating with the Brain Wave allows me to fight for families like mine on a scale I never could alone.”
    – Karolyn, Parent Advocate, Greeley
    “I know that men don’t like to talk about their mental health, but I am committed to changing that. The Brain Wave gave me a platform to show that vulnerability is a strength.”
    – Raymond, Peer Advocate, Colorado Springs

    Ready to Make a Difference? Join Us.

    You are not alone. Join over 1,600 Coloradans who are turning their experience into action. Sign up to become part of the Brain Wave today. Your voice is our most powerful tool for change.

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    Download the Brain Wave toolkit today and take the first step on your journey to making waves for mental health in Colorado.

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    Ready to make a difference?

    The movement for healthier minds across the lifespan is powered by voices like yours. Join us and turn your experience into action.
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