Colorado Behavioral Health Administration - Planning and Advisory Council

The Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (BHPAC) serves as a mandated oversight body for the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) ^[1][1] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Planning & Advisory Council (BHPAC)." colorado.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions. This council advises the state on its federal block grant applications and addresses statewide policy issues impacting the behavioral health system ^[2][2] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council." colorado.gov, 21 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/bhpac. It operates under federal law and guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ^[2][2] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council." colorado.gov, 21 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/bhpac. The council includes persons in recovery, family members, state agency representatives, and treatment providers ^[1][1] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Planning & Advisory Council (BHPAC)." colorado.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions. At least half of the council must consist of individuals with lived experience in the behavioral health system ^[3][3] Colorado Hospital Association. "Behavioral Health Administration HB 22-1278 Summary." cha.com, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://cha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BHA-HB-22-1278-Summary.pdf. The BHA, which the council advises, manages a total 2025-2026 budget of approximately $308 million ^[4][4] Luning, Ernest. "Costs explode for Colorado program covering pregnant women and children living in the U.S. illegally." Colorado Politics, 19 Mar. 2026, https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/premium/costs-explode-for-colorado-program-covering-pregnant-women-and-children/article_6a7e8e5e-e62a-11ee-8e6a-2f8e8e5e6a7e.html.

Historical Background

The Colorado General Assembly established the BHA and its advisory framework through House Bill 22-1278, which was signed on May 25, 2022 ^[5][5] Colorado Department of Human Services. "Bill to establish Behavioral Health Administration signed into law." colorado.gov, 26 May 2022, https://cdhs.colorado.gov/news/bill-to-establish-behavioral-health-administration-signed-into-law. Legislators created the entity to fix a fragmented system that forced many families to seek out-of-state care ^[6][6] Colorado Senate Democrats. "HHS Committee Clears Bills to Streamline and Improve Colorado's Behavioral Health System." senatedems.co, 28 Apr. 2025, https://www.senatedems.co/news/hhs-committee-clears-bills-to-streamline-and-improve-colorados-behavioral-health-system. The BHA officially launched on July 1, 2022, to centralize mental health and substance use services ^[5][5] Colorado Department of Human Services. "Bill to establish Behavioral Health Administration signed into law." colorado.gov, 26 May 2022, https://cdhs.colorado.gov/news/bill-to-establish-behavioral-health-administration-signed-into-law. The BHPAC specifically evolved from earlier federal requirements to oversee Mental Health Block Grants and Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Block Grants ^[2][2] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council." colorado.gov, 21 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/bhpac. Since its founding, the administration has moved to consolidate diverse networks into regional Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASOs) to improve local service delivery ^[7][7] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Health Equity Strategic Plan." colorado.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/strategic-plan/equity-action-plan.

Current Events

Governor Jared Polis appointed Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera as the Interim Commissioner of the BHA on February 28, 2026 ^[8][8] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Commissioner and structure." colorado.gov, 27 Feb. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/commissioner-and-structure. The administration is currently conducting a national search for a permanent leader following this transition ^[8][8] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Commissioner and structure." colorado.gov, 27 Feb. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/commissioner-and-structure. In early 2026, the council faced significant budget discussions as Colorado projected a nearly $1 billion shortfall for the 2026-2027 fiscal year ^[4][4] Luning, Ernest. "Costs explode for Colorado program covering pregnant women and children living in the U.S. illegally." Colorado Politics, 19 Mar. 2026, https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/premium/costs-explode-for-colorado-program-covering-pregnant-women-and-children/article_6a7e8e5e-e62a-11ee-8e6a-2f8e8e5e6a7e.html. The BHA recommended a $2 million decrease in its general fund allocation for the upcoming cycle ^[4][4] Luning, Ernest. "Costs explode for Colorado program covering pregnant women and children living in the U.S. illegally." Colorado Politics, 19 Mar. 2026, https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/premium/costs-explode-for-colorado-program-covering-pregnant-women-and-children/article_6a7e8e5e-e62a-11ee-8e6a-2f8e8e5e6a7e.html. On January 15, 2026, the advisory council held a public meeting to discuss strategic planning and system gaps ^[9][9] Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. "Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC)." colorado.gov, 20 Jan. 2026, https://bha.colorado.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/bhaac. The BHA also released updated provider rules in February 2026 to align state standards with national clinical criteria ^[10][10] Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council. "February 2026 - CBHC Newsletter." cbhc.org, 14 Feb. 2026, https://www.cbhc.org/newsletters/february-2026.