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Brain Wave

The Brain Wave is our community of over 1,600 advocates from across Colorado with a shared mission- to end health-based discrimination and urge state leaders to prioritize the health and well-being of all Coloradans. Join today to stay updated on how you can get involved! 

The Need is Great Our Voices Must Be Greater

Access to mental health and substance use care is critical for the health and well-being of Colorado communities. Too many Coloradans lack access to essential supports and services, and we are working to change that. By joining the Brain Wave, you are joining a statewide movement to make a lasting impact on Colorado’s health. 

A Statewide Challenge

More than one in four adults in Colorado (27.7%) report having a mental health condition. 

Barriers to Access

179,874 Coloradans needed mental health care in 2025 but could not get it due to the cost of care. 

Youth in Crisis

43,000 youth in Colorado (9.88%) report having a substance use condition. 

Rural Disparities

Suicide rates in rural communities are significantly higher than in urban areas– both are higher in Colorado than the national average. 

One Voice Is a Ripple Together, We Are a Wave

As a member of the Brain Wave, you are part of a community that recognizes that those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution. Whether you are a person with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges, a care provider frustrated with challenges embedded in our system, or you are interested in advocating on behalf of your friends, loved ones and neighbors, this is your opportunity to make a real difference. By sharing our stories and speaking out, we remind others that these are human issues that require responses rooted in humanity. 

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We Give You the Training You Provide the Voice

You don’t have to be an expert to be an advocate. Your passion for change is all that’s needed to get started. As a member of the Brain Wave, you’ll have access to advocacy tools and training, including one-on-one support to help you develop a strong voice and make a meaningful impact.  

We’ll Teach You How To…

Craft your story for the most impact.
Advocate for change online and in your local community.
Communicate with state and local officials.
Understand the legislative process and shape public policy.
Join the Brain Wave

When We Speak Up, We Win.

Our advocacy doesn’t only take place at the Capitol, but when it does, our voices are often the determining factor that influences lawmakers to make policy decisions that reflect the needs of our communities. We are grateful for every Brain Waver who has shown up to advocate alongside us to promote the health and well-being of all Coloradans.

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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Teva
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
Johnson & Johnson
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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

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