Building Colorado’s Mental Health Hub in Aurora

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Aurora is uniquely positioned to become Colorado’s leading hub for mental health treatment — strengthening and expanding the state’s behavioral health system while complementing the work already underway in Pueblo.

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With major medical campuses, a diverse population, and central access across the metro region, House District 42 is the right place for a state-of-the-art mental health facility that provides crisis stabilization, inpatient and long-term care, culturally informed services, and comprehensive wraparound support.

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This vision recognizes Pueblo’s statewide behavioral health office as a critical partner, while establishing Aurora as the primary location for Colorado’s state mental health hospital, with Pueblo serving as a satellite facility. Together, this model creates a coordinated, accessible system that better meets the needs of communities across the state.

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A centralized mental health hub in Aurora is not just about infrastructure — it’s about dignity, access, and outcomes. It’s about building a system that works for people in crisis and supports long-term recovery, while ensuring no community is left behind.

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As Your Legislator, I Will:

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• Advocate for Aurora to serve as Colorado’s primary state mental health hospital location, with Pueblo as a key satellite partner

• Secure state funding for crisis stabilization, inpatient, and long-term behavioral health care capacity

• Ensure culturally responsive, community-informed mental health services are built into facility design and care delivery

• Strengthen coordination between hospitals, community providers, and state agencies to improve access and outcomes

• Prioritize workforce investment to recruit and retain mental health professionals

• Center dignity, access, and long-term recovery in all behavioral health policy decisions

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This approach builds a coordinated statewide system that meets people where they are, responds to crisis with care, and supports lasting recovery—while ensuring every community benefits.