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San Miguel County commissioners press for clearer plan on mental‑health co‑responder coverage in East End
Summary
Residents and Egnor officials raised a recent incident in which emergency responders left a mental‑health worker alone at the scene. Commissioners said they have long sought to restore a co‑responder program and expect review when a newly appointed sheriff takes office June 2.
San Miguel County commissioners told Egnor residents on May 1 that restoring structured mental‑health response in the East End is a top priority, but that a clear plan will depend on the incoming sheriff and results of a county behavioral‑health strategic plan.
Residents and local officials described an incident in which deputies and an ambulance were not available to assist a mental‑health clinician during a call; the fire department remained at scene. Darlene Williams and others asked commissioners how the county intends to handle future calls.
Commissioner Anne Brown said the board has repeatedly listed improving access to behavioral health as a top priority and has pursued a co‑responder model in the past (a mental‑health professional riding with law enforcement or EMS on selected calls). Brown said the previous co‑responder effort ended when the staff person left and the part‑time workload did not justify two full‑time positions.
Brown added the current sheriff, who is nearing retirement, has restricted deputies from responding to mental‑health calls because of liability concerns he associates with Senate Bill 217. The board recently appointed Under Sheriff Dan Koval (to begin June 2) to succeed Sheriff Bill Masters; Brown said Koval indicated he would be willing to re‑examine the sheriff’s policies and “be a little more flexible” about supporting behavioral‑health professionals on scene.
Commissioners said a countywide behavioral‑health strategic plan is in progress and will recommend options that do not require funding two full‑time co‑responders where call volume is low. Commissioners said any new approach could start as a pilot on the East End and be expanded countywide.
What residents told commissioners - Dolores County’s emergency responders declined to continue responding in one case, prompting local concern about mutual‑aid coverage. - Del Creek ambulance received a $15,000 county contribution this year; residents were unsure how that money relates to response obligations.
What commissioners said they will do - Continue the behavioral‑health strategic‑planning work and return with options for East‑End coverage. - Coordinate with incoming Sheriff Dan Koval and neighboring Dolores County to explore shared approaches.
No formal policy was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners said they expect to have more to report after the new sheriff takes office and after completion of the strategic‑planning recommendations.
