Colorado Judicial Branch - Administration - Court Services

Mental Health Diversion Program

The Mental Health Diversion Program (MHDP) is a pre-plea pilot diversion program for those with unmet mental health needs, arrested for low level non-Victim Rights Act offenses. Program candidates undergo mental health screening and assessment. Participants are diverted from routine criminal case processing to mental health and/or psychiatric treatment. Successful completion of the six-month diversion period requires no new criminal charges and initiation of treatment. The outcome for successful participation is dismissal or non-filing of criminal charges. Each local program determines eligible offenses, and eligibility criteria.

Target Population	Adults with unmet mental health needs, arrested for low level, non-VRA criminal offenses
Program Services	Mental health screening and assessment Mental health treatment Psychiatric treatment Case management
Participant Benefits	Access to treatment Dismissed charges Employment, housing and family stability
Community Benefits	Reduced jail overcrowding Incarceration and prosecution cost savings Increased community safety
Authority	SB 18-249, SB 19-211, HB 20-1393 C.R.S. §18-1.3-101.5
Contact	Kara Martin kara.martin@judicial.state.co.us 720.625.5963

Pilot Sites

Pilot Judicial District and Program Contact	Participating Counties
6th Judicial District, Brian Miller Brian.Miller@co.laplata.co.us (Operations suspended as of 7/1/2020)	Archuleta La Plata San Juan
8th Judicial District, Necole Hampton hamptonl@co.larimer.co.us (Operations suspended as of 7/1/2020)	Jackson Larimer
16th Judicial District, Kassie Martin kmartin@da16co.gov (Operations suspended as of 7/1/2020)	Bent Crowley Otero
20th Judicial District, Mary McKenzie mmckenzie@bouldercounty.org	Boulder

Special Announcements

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact Colorado Crisis Services by texting “TALK” to 38255 or call 1-844-493-8255.

https://coloradocrisisservices.org/

MHDP Operations Suspended

As of July 1, 2020 and until further notice, MHDP pilot programs in the 6th, 8th and 16th Judicial Districts have lost funding and suspended operations due to the statewide budget crisis. Operations continue in the 20th Judicial District.

FY19 Annual Report

Quarterly Report Deadlines
April 30
July 31
October 31
January 31

Business Resources

Public Defenders

http://www.coloradodefenders.us/offices/

Colorado MHDP

Mental Health Screens

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Other State Judicial Criminal Justice Programs

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