2021 Colorado Code
Title 27 - Behavioral Health
Article 81 - Alcohol Use Education, Prevention, and Treatment
§ 27-81-104. Duties of the Office of Behavioral Health - Review

1. In addition to duties prescribed by section 27-80-102, the office of behavioral health shall:
   1. Develop, encourage, and foster statewide, regional, and local plans and programs for the prevention of substance use disorders and treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs, in cooperation with public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals, and provide technical assistance and consultation services for these purposes;
   2. Coordinate the efforts and enlist the assistance of all public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals interested in prevention of substance use disorders and treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs;
   3. [ ] Utilize community mental health centers and clinics, or other approved treatment facilities, whenever feasible;
   4. Cooperate with the department of corrections in establishing and conducting programs for the prevention of substance use disorders and treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs in appropriate agencies and institutions and for persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs in or on parole from correctional institutions and in carrying out duties specified in subsections (1)(i) and (1)(k) of this section;
   5. Cooperate with the department of education, schools, police departments, courts, and other public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals in establishing programs for the prevention of substance use disorders and treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs and preparing curriculum materials for use at all levels of school education;
   6. Prepare, publish, evaluate, and disseminate educational material dealing with the nature and effects of alcohol and drugs;
   7. Develop and implement, as an integral part of substance use disorder treatment programs, an educational program for use in the treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs. The program must include the dissemination of information concerning the nature and effects of alcohol and drugs.
   8. Organize and foster training programs for all persons engaged in treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs;
   9. Sponsor and encourage research into the causes and nature of substance use disorders and treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs, and serve as a clearinghouse for information relating to substance use disorders;
   10. Specify uniform methods for keeping statistical information by public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals and collect and make available relevant statistical information, including number of persons treated, frequency of admission and readmission, and frequency and duration of treatment;
   11. Advise the governor in the preparation of a comprehensive plan for treatment of persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs for inclusion in the state's comprehensive health plan;
   12. Review all state health, welfare, and treatment plans to be submitted for federal funding under federal legislation and advise the governor on provisions to be included relating to substance use disorders, persons with substance use disorders, and persons under the influence of drugs;
   13. Assist in the development of, and cooperate with, substance use education and treatment programs for employees of state and local governments and businesses and industries in this state;
   14. Utilize the support and assistance of interested persons in the community, particularly persons with substance use disorders that are in remission, to encourage persons with substance use disorders to voluntarily undergo treatment;
   15. Cooperate with the department of transportation in establishing and conducting programs designed to deal with the problem of persons operating motor vehicles while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or drugs;
   16. Encourage general hospitals and other appropriate health facilities to admit without discrimination persons with substance use disorders, persons intoxicated by alcohol, and persons under the influence of drugs and to provide them with adequate and appropriate treatment;
   17. Encourage all health and disability insurance programs to include substance use disorders as a covered illness; and
   18. Submit to the governor an annual report covering the activities of the office of behavioral health.

(c) [ ] Utilize behavioral health entities, community mental health centers and clinics, or other approved treatment facilities, whenever feasible;

History. Source: L. 2010: Entire article added with relocations,(SB 10-175), ch. 188, p. 734, § 2, effective April 29. L. 2017: Entire section amended,(SB 17-242), ch. 263, p. 1364, § 273, effective May 25. L. 2019: (1)(c) amended,(HB 19-1237), ch. 413, p. 3645, § 21, effective July 1, 2022. L. 2020: Entire section amended,(SB 20-007), ch. 286, p. 1394, § 14, effective July 13.

This section is similar to former § 25-1-304 as it existed prior to 2010.

For the legislative declaration in SB 17-242, see section 1 of chapter 263, Session Laws of Colorado 2017.

Applied in Ramos v. Lamm, 485 F. Supp. 122 (D. Colo. 1979 ) (decided prior to 2010 amendments to this article).