Plan for mental health centers moves forward

A long-delayed plan to establish emergency mental health centers around Colorado is moving forward after a court dispute over the bidding process.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and state health officials called for the centers in late 2012 in response to mass shootings in a movie theater in Colorado and Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

The plan was to have four walk-in crisis centers around the state, and lawmakers approved $20 million for the projects. The state chose Crisis Access of Colorado for the projects, but other mental health providers raised questions about bidding.

The state revoked the awards, and Crisis Access filed a lawsuit.

The Denver Post reports that the state and Crisis Access reached a settlement this week. State officials will soon begin contract negotiations with four other providers.