Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Its mission is to strengthen Colorado’s mental health system by providing Coloradans with greater access to crisis services wherever they are at 24/7/365 regardless of ability to pay.
Bilingual services in Spanish are offered here at Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, known as Colorado Crisis Services, and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. All three are linked and routed to the same line.
“HABLAMOS TU IDIOMA, ESCUCHAMOS A TU CORAZÓN” (WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE, WE LISTEN TO YOUR HEART)
“UNA LÍNEA DE AYUDA EN TU IDIOMA PARA UNA VIDA MÁS FUERTE” (A HELP LINE IN YOUR LANGUAGE FOR A STRONGER LIFE)
Brindamos nuestros servicios en español y la comunidad hispana recibe servicios de alta calidad en su idioma. Quiero que nuestra comunidad comience a darse cuenta de que su salud mental es importante, que está bien no estar bien todo el tiempo y que está bien pedir ayuda. Hay un cambio cultural que debe suceder y quiero ser parte de ese cambio.
We provide our services in Spanish, the Hispanic community receives high-quality services in their language. I want our community to start realizing that their mental health matters, that it is okay to not be okay all the time and that it is okay to ask for help. There is a cultural change that needs to happen, and I want to be part of that change.
As of July 16, 2022, Colorado, along with the rest of the United States, is using the 988 dialing code. https://bha.colorado.gov/behavioral-health/988
988 is the new, easy-to-remember three-digit number for calls (multiple languages), text, or chat (English only) that connects people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline), where compassionate, accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health–related distress. The chat feature will be available through the Lifeline’s website.
988 calls are routed to Lifeline call centers across the country based on a person’s area code from the phone they are calling from. Colorado is actively engaged with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and partners across the country to determine the appropriate solutions for call routing.
This situation is not unique to Colorado. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) recognizes that many people in Colorado do not have a phone number with a Colorado area code. We want to ensure a safe, immediate connection to local resources and support. While Colorado works to ensure all calls, regardless of area code, get routed to a call center physically near the caller, we will continue to promote our statewide crisis line at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.
Stay informed
We will keep everyone updated on the latest news about 988 through the monthly Behavioral Health Administration newsletter. Sign up to begin receiving the newsletter.
Frequently asked questions
What is 988?What kind of training do 988 call takers have?What is the difference between 988 and Colorado Crisis Services?How will 988 and 911 interact?How is this different from 911?Is 988 open to everyone?What is the Lifeline?Is the 1-800-273-8255 Lifeline number going away?Is 988 available for substance use crisis?What is the BHA’s role in 988?What is the BHA’s long term goal for 988?
988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board of Directors
Senate Bill 21-154 established the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise in the Department to impose a 988 surcharge and a prepaid wireless 988 charge; fund the 988 crisis hotline; work with third parties to provide crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care; authorize and issue revenue bonds payable from the newly created 988 Crisis Hotline Cash Fund; and adopt, amend, or repeal policies to regulate its affairs.
The enterprise is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor. Learn more about the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board of Directors. Expand the section below for a list of directors.Membership
988 Implementation Planning Committee archives
Expand the sections below for archives of the Colorado 988 Implementation Planning Committee’s meetings and work.MeetingsCommittee MembersWork GroupsResources
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support. Our crisis clinicians and peer specialists are available 24/7/365 via phone, text, or in-person at our walk-in centers. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know—start here. Our clinicians will listen and care. We are dedicated to offering guidance, no matter what the issue.
When you call Colorado Crisis Services, you will be connected to a clinician—or you can choose to speak with a peer specialist who has gone through experiences similar to yours. We offer translation services in more than 200 languages for non-English speakers, we engage in immediate problem solving, and we can even make follow-up calls to ensure you receive continued care.
Crisis looks and feels different for everyone—so if you find yourself struggling with any mental health, substance use, or emotional challenge, our services are for you. No problem is too small. Common call topics include: depression, substance use, grief and loss, self-injury, suicidal thoughts, bullying, stress, parenting concerns, trauma, drugs and alcohol, relationship problems, family crisis, anxiety, COVID-related challenges, domestic violence, homelessness, disability, concerns for a friend or family member, recovery support, and resource questions.
