The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration on Wednesday celebrated the launch of a new network of safety net services.

The new network — called Colorado LIFTS or Linking Individuals and Families to Services — aims to streamline the process of finding care across the state.

LIFTS connects Coloradans directly to crisis, substance use and mental health providers all in one place, officials said. 

Members of the behavioral health community gathered on the steps of the Capitol Wednesday for a fair, highlighting available services through the network.

“The new Colorado LIFTS network is really a big step towards making help more accessible and easy,” said Gov. Jared Polis

LIFTS, which is coordinated and funded through BHA  service organizations, has 250 providers from across Colorado.

The behavioral agency anticipates that roughly 110,754 individuals in the state may require mental health services in 2025.

Previously, different behavioral health areas were separate, according to Kayla Martin, director of contracts and procurement for the state agency.

“Now, what the Colorado LIFTS network does is unifies all of behavioral health services under one spectrum,” she said.

Administration officials hope that, by funneling funds to local providers, it will reduce the administrative burden and make services more accessible for those in rural communities.

“We have statewide impact, but we’re located in Denver and mostly staffed by people who live in Denver. So, with the regional model, we have these vendors that have really close relationships in the communities,” said Martin.

Among the primary vendors in the network are Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Signal Behavioral Health Network.

“Far too long, navigating the behavioral health system has been a frustrating, even disheartening experience for people in Colorado in our most challenging moments,” said BHA Commissioner Dannette R. Smith. “Whether we are seeking support for ourselves or for someone we love, we should not have to struggle to contact to connect for care.”

According to Smith, the first year of the network’s operation will be about identifying gaps in the care system and working with partners to adapt over time.

“Over the next 10 years, with the support of our bosses, we aim to make this system and network so bold and robust that people in Colorado can reach out in their communities and touch the support they need, weaving into hospitals, if needed, schools, and, if involved, looking at the criminal justice system and beyond,” she said.

According to BHA officials, Colorado spends over $200 million per year on mental health, crisis support and substance use services.

Around 25% of that money comes from the federal government; the rest is from the state.