Hickenlooper wants expansion of mental health care

Gov. John Hickenlooper will discuss a proposed expansion of Colorado’s mental health services that includes urgent care for the mentally ill and housing vouchers in a response to this summer’s Aurora theater shootings.

The governor’s office says the plan developed by Hickenlooper and state health officials requires lawmakers to approve $18.5 million in funding. Hickenlooper planned to comment on the proposals Tuesday morning.

The plans includes opening five 24-hour walk-in centers for mental health care in Colorado and establishing a statewide mental health crisis hotline. Those two initiatives alone are estimated to cost $10.2 million.

Another part of the plan calls for the state’s Judicial System and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to better coordinate with electronic mental health records during background checks for gun buyers.