We recently learned of some disheartening news. The
state of Colorado is changing who answers the 988 suicide and crisis line.
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration has issued a “notice of intent” to contract with another organization, not Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners.
Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners is a homegrown non-profit organization founded in 2008 that has answered the
Colorado Crisis Line and the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in Colorado for 14 years!
Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners currently employs 330 people, majority of whom live in Colorado. There is speculation that the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration is considering contracting with an out-of-state provider.
Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners' dedicated employees are our local, trusted crisis call-takers. They have built partnerships across the state and have prioritized employing a roster of call-takers representative of the populations they serve.
In every suicide prevention training we provide, we make a point to let Colorado residents with out-of-state cell phone numbers know that they should use the direct Colorado Crisis Services number (Call 844-493-TALK (8255) or Text “TALK” to 38255) instead of 988 (which currently routes you to the state line that corresponds with your area code) so that we can ensure that they talk with Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners.
Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners are our trusted partners in this work. For 14 years, they have led the country with their extensive training, expertise, and ability to serve people in crisis.
For many callers, calling the crisis line is their first contact with the greater mental health system. It is imperative that we have knowledgeable, caring, compassionate people doing this work right, and Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners have proven to do this.
Prioritizing cost or efficiency over effective crisis response is unethical. The lives of our friends and neighbors matter more than saving money.
Please reach out and urge the Behavioral Health Administration and Senators Jenet & Kolker to reinstitute the contract with Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners.
Please take 5 minutes to: 
