Colorado 988 routing now based on real-time location; state hiring 9-1-1/988 coordinator
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Summary
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration told the task force that, as of March 4, carriers now route 988 calls based on real-time location rather than area code. The BHA is hiring a 9-1-1/988 coordinator to develop call-transfer protocols and strengthen PSAP relationships.
Norman Kiddichai, project director at the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, reported that as of March 4 major carriers (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) had implemented location-based routing for 988 calls, replacing earlier area-code-based routing that sometimes directed callers to national centers outside Colorado.
Kiddichai said the state has 11 active 988 centers under contract with vendor Solari and that the BHA seeks to increase in-state routing and capacity. The BHA is hiring a 9-1-1/988 coordinator to develop call‑transfer protocols, strengthen relationships with PSAPs and improve coordination for mental‑health crises that involve law enforcement. Norman said the BHA received 42 applications for the position and planned to include task force staff in the interview process.
He offered to be a contact for PSAPs with questions and said the BHA intends to attend the task force more frequently as the new coordinator is onboarded.