Senate committee advances bill to expand veterans behavioral‑health grants, set up regional administrators

House Bill 1132 would expand and implement the veterans behavioral health grant program created by Proposition KK and preserve existing funding for Veterans Community Living Centers (VCLCs). Sponsor Senator Hendrickson told the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee the bill directs up to $5 million to expand the program and authorizes the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), to designate Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASOs) to administer grants regionally (timecode 4091.44–4124.54).

Why it matters: Witnesses said the bill would broaden access to evidence‑based and culturally informed behavioral health services for veterans and their families statewide, complementing VA and local services and targeting gaps in mountain and rural areas. Opponents raised privacy and firearm‑related concerns tied to clinical reporting and involuntary commitment processes.

Program details Senator Hendrickson said the statute would require grant recipients to have expertise serving veterans, demonstrate the ability to provide data and comply with department requirements, and maintain local provider relationships to ensure continuity of care. The sponsor said BHASOs were chosen as regional entities that can tailor grants to local needs and coordinate with DMVA and community non‑profits.

Supporters Erica Gannon, legislative affairs officer for the Behavioral Health Administration, testified that aligning the expansion with BHASO structures will enable regionally informed approaches and ensure access across prevention to recovery services. Amy Moore, clinic director at the Cohen Military Family Clinic in Colorado Springs, said the clinic’s model typically completes care in 8–12 sessions and that internal outcome measures show clinically significant improvement for more than 70 percent of clients within an average of eight sessions. Damien McCabe described his nonprofit Next Chapter program’s data and testified that increased funding would let vetted community providers expand into mountain and rural regions.

Opposition and concerns An opponent from Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (identified in the hearing as Catching Valentinus) said the bill could subject veterans who disclose firearm ownership in clinical treatment to heightened risk of being targeted for removal of firearm rights through clinical referrals. Proponents and committee members responded that BHASO participation does not automatically create information‑sharing obligations with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and emphasized existing due process protections for temporary firearm removal tied to imminent risk assessments.

Committee action Senator Hendrickson moved House Bill 1132 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the committee recorded a 3–2 roll call vote to advance the bill. The committee record shows the Department of Human Services and BHA will be available for follow‑up questions on implementation and any required rulemaking.

What’s next With the committee’s favorable recommendation, the bill moves to the Committee of the Whole for additional debate. Supporters asked that rules and grant criteria emphasize cultural competency, data collection for outcomes, and services that can be delivered virtually and in underserved areas.