DENVER — The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is planning to award a bid to an out-of-state company to operate the state’s 988 crisis line.
That company, Solari Crisis and Human Services, is based in Arizona.
988 is currently operated by Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, which is now preparing to lay off an estimated 330 workers.
That includes Erik Jacobsen, a community program liaison for the non-profit.
“That funding is the backbone of our organization, and in all likelihood will lead to 330 Coloradans and their families losing their job,” he said.
Jacobsen said Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners handles around 35,000 calls a month, and said it’s beneficial to have people locally answering those calls.
“We do get calls where we are literally the only thing between them and ending their life. I’ve taken calls where there’s a loaded firearm on your lap, I’ve taken calls where there’s pills in your hand, where you’re on the balcony on Colfax,” he said. “Our knowledge of the community and who the therapists are, is really relevant.”
A spokesperson for BHA said Solari received the highest score in an objective evaluation process.
Jacobsen said they’re now in the process of protesting the decision.
“I want Governor Polis to be notified,” he said. “What does it say to Colorado that you’re going to lay off 330 people that work in a non-profit sector and then outsource millions of dollars of taxpayer money to another state? I don’t think that sends the right message. Mental health is not a place where we should be cutting corners.”
A BHA spokesperson said 988 and Colorado Crisis Services lines will continue to operate during the re-procurement process and beyond, and said they’re committed to ensuring that all people in Colorado have access to the highest possible quality crisis services if and when they might need them.
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