Colorado Behavioral Health Administration - Advisory Council

The Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC) serves as a statutory body within the Colorado Department of Human Services ^[1][1] Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC)." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/behavioral-health-administration-advisory-council-bhaac.. This council provides formal recommendations to the Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the State Board of Human Services ^[2][2] Behavioral Health Administration. "Boards and Commissions." colorado.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://bha.colorado.gov/about-bha/boards-and-commissions.. Its legal mandate requires members to advise on system gaps, standards of care, and strategic policy for the state's mental health and substance use services ^[3][3] Colorado General Assembly. "HB22-1278 Behavioral Health Administration." colorado.gov, 30 June 2024, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1278.. The group consists of 15 to 20 members appointed by the Commissioner, with at least half the members required to have lived experience in the behavioral health system ^[4][4] Colorado Department of Human Services. "Bill to establish Behavioral Health Administration signed into law." colorado.gov, 26 May 2022, https://cdhs.colorado.gov/press-release/bill-to-establish-behavioral-health-administration-signed-into-law.. This structure ensures that individuals who use or provide these services have a direct voice in state-level decision-making processes ^[1][1] Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC)." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/behavioral-health-administration-advisory-council-bhaac..

Historical Background

Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 22-1278 into law on May 25, 2022, which officially established both the BHA and its Advisory Council ^[4][4] Colorado Department of Human Services. "Bill to establish Behavioral Health Administration signed into law." colorado.gov, 26 May 2022, https://cdhs.colorado.gov/press-release/bill-to-establish-behavioral-health-administration-signed-into-law.. The state created this entity to solve a fragmented system where behavioral health programs were scattered across multiple departments ^[3][3] Colorado General Assembly. "HB22-1278 Behavioral Health Administration." colorado.gov, 30 June 2024, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1278.. The Council began its formal activities in late 2022 to assist the newly launched BHA in transforming care access ^[5][5] Behavioral Health Administration. "Meeting Recordings and Resources." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about-bha/boards-and-commissions/bha-advisory-council.. Since its founding, the Council has overseen the transition of licensing authority and the development of a statewide behavioral health safety net ^[3][3] Colorado General Assembly. "HB22-1278 Behavioral Health Administration." colorado.gov, 30 June 2024, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1278.. A major milestone occurred in July 2024 when the BHA, informed by Council feedback, established regionally-based administrative service organizations to streamline local care delivery ^[3][3] Colorado General Assembly. "HB22-1278 Behavioral Health Administration." colorado.gov, 30 June 2024, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1278..

Current Events

The Advisory Council held its first meeting of the 2026 calendar year on January 15, 2026, to discuss the implementation of the BHA strategic plan ^[5][5] Behavioral Health Administration. "Meeting Recordings and Resources." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about-bha/boards-and-commissions/bha-advisory-council.. During the same period, state budget discussions for the 2026-27 fiscal year proposed a $5.9 million reduction in General Fund appropriations for the BHA to address administrative duplications ^[6][6] Colorado General Assembly. "FY 2026-27 Budget Briefing Summary - Behavioral Health Administration." colorado.gov, 05 Dec. 2025, https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/fy2026-27_behbri_sum.pdf.. In March 2026, the Colorado General Assembly introduced legislation to cut various interim committees due to budget constraints, though the BHAAC continues its monthly public meetings on the third Thursday of each month ^[5][5] Behavioral Health Administration. "Meeting Recordings and Resources." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about-bha/boards-and-commissions/bha-advisory-council.. Recent council sessions have focused on identifying service trends through the Systems Advocacy Subcommittee and reviewing the BHA performance plan for the upcoming fiscal year ^[1][1] Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC)." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/behavioral-health-administration-advisory-council-bhaac..