Board approves first reading of PACT cost-share MOU to stabilize local co-responder funding

Pitkin County commissioners approved on first reading a memorandum of understanding to share local costs among Pitkin County, the City of Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village for the PACT co-responder program.

Raleigh Bacharach, PACT administrator with the Public Health Department, told the board that PACT has relied on grants since inception and grant volatility has put staffing and operations at risk. The proposed MOU would allocate local contributions using a percentage formula that staff say is based on calls for service and PACT utilization by jurisdiction; county 2026 contributions would come from public health reserves, avoiding a 2026 budget supplemental. "By bringing in some local dollars from each jurisdiction, we could have more diverse funding portfolio," Bacharach said.

Board members asked whether outside grant-writing support could be used to supplement PACT’s efforts; staff confirmed they have used a third-party grant team successfully for prior grants. Cat Bush, co-responder clinician and PACT team lead, described the operational benefits and said community and law-enforcement partners have been supportive; she called local funding for sustainability "huge." The board voted to approve first reading and set a public hearing for Feb. 25.