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Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty” devastating Crime”
Sep 25th
Ballot Initiative to Fund the Colorado Crime Victim Services and Behavioral Health and Crisis Response
Boulder County, Colo. — The District Attorney’s Office strongly supports the ballot measure to bolster crime victim services and behavioral health programs across Colorado.
Federal funding for victim services is expected to decrease by 40-50% in the coming year. Our office supported legislation for ongoing, sustainable funding for victims’ services. This ballot measure to the November 2024 statewide election will ask Colorado voters to approve an excise tax on the gross taxable retail sales of gun dealers, gun manufacturers, and ammunition vendors. The collected revenue will fund mental health services, including for at-risk youth and veterans, and support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and other violent crimes. This legislation is critical as it will ensure that crime victims continue to receive the help and resources they need.
The measure aims to sustain and expand essential services for crime victims and individuals in behavioral health crises by creating a new revenue stream through a reasonable excise tax. If approved by voters in the November election, HB24-1349 will be allocated as follows:
- $30 million to the Colorado Crime Victim Services Fund to provide grant funding for services such as: counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency hotel, utility, rental, and attorney expenses,
- $8 million to the Behavioral Health Administration to provide crisis resolution services to youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and to provide mental health services for veterans, and
- $1 million to support school safety.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “As District Attorney, I see the devastating impacts that crime can have on victims and their families. Without this funding, victim services will be drastically reduced. I urge voters to consider victim services when they vote in November.”
City of Boulder and The Hope Institute Announce Opening of New Suicide Prevention Service
Sep 24th
The Hope Institute provides a crucial addition to Boulder’s behavioral health resources aimed at suicide prevention.
BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder and The Hope Institute are excited to announce the opening of The Hope Institute on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Located at 1790 30th Street, STE 350, their services will be available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and will offer vital outpatient services, including both in-person and telehealth treatments for individuals experiencing serious thoughts of suicide.
Data from local nonprofit and government agencies, health care providers and the city’s Crisis Intervention Response Team show that suicidality continues to be a challenge for community members of all ages, and that it can take a range of supports to help people build a life they see as worth living.
The Hope Institute provides short-term outpatient care (6-12 weeks) to individuals of all ages including individual and group counseling, using the evidence-based treatments Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and additional services for those most in need. With a proven track record of reducing suicidal ideation in an average of six weeks, services can benefit community members with a wide range of public and private insurance coverage and people who are uninsured.
“We are excited to open in Boulder,” said Dr. Derek J. Lee, executive director of The Hope Institute of America. “Boulder is a great example of a community committed to supporting a range of quality mental and behavioral health services for its community members to thrive. My hope is that Boulder can be an anchor that brings more suicide prevention services to the region.”
The city provided $400,000 in startup support to The Hope Institute through the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
“Many local organizations are providing excellent support and treatment for community members at risk for suicide,” shared Human Services Senior Manager Wendy Schwartz. “The Hope Institute’s services are intended to complement and partner with existing care providers. During the short-term stabilization period with clients, The Hope Institute will work with local partners to transition them to longer-term care options that best fit their needs.”
The city is dedicated to working with community partners to support comprehensive mental health resources for all Boulder community members. Learn more about available community mental health resources on the city’s website.
Learn more about The Hope Institute online, by emailing help.boulder@thehopeinstitute.net or by calling 720-970-7752.
FIGHTING WILDLAND FIRES IN BOULDE
Sep 22nd
Dear Neighbor, This past week, I was in Washington working on a bipartisan plan that prioritizes the needs of Coloradans, keeps the government running, and supports hard-working families across the country. With just eight days until government funding expires, rest assured we are working tirelessly to ensure veterans, seniors, first responders, and many others receive the support they deserve. One pressing issue I want to highlight is the treatment of our federal wildland firefighters.
If Congress doesn’t act by the end of the month, these brave first responders will face a steep pay cut. As you may know, in 2021 I fought hard to secure a temporary pay increase for these firefighters through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Now, it is crucial that we make this adjustment permanent. That’s why, as House Assistant Minority Leader, I recently led an effort, alongside many of my colleagues, to urge Congress to come together and ensure wildland firefighters receive the pay they deserve. I also introduced a package of bipartisan bills that ensure those impacted by wildfires receive the assistance they require at the speed they deserve. Mitigation and response and recovery go hand in hand, and our three new bills will help to equip homeowners, small business owners, and individuals with the foundational tools required to rebuild their lives after a disaster. Read more about our bipartisan bills to simplify disaster recovery HERE. When it comes to supporting our firefighters and tackling western wildfires, the stakes are simply too high for us to ignore these issues — and I’ll continue working with members from both sides of the aisle to take action. Watch my remarks on the need to enact permanent pay increases for federal wildland firefighters below! In other news, I was proud to receive the Wilderness Champion Award from the National Wilderness Coalition. As the Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, I remain committed to safeguarding our cherished wilderness and public lands for future generations. NEWS! LONGMONT & FORT COLLINS I was proud to announce nearly $3 million in federal funding for Longmont and Fort Collins to build safer streets and reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries. This is yet another example of the ways in which the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for folks across our communities. ANN: SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS! Service Academy Nominations for this year are open till October 1, 2024! If you are interested in applying to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine Academy, you need to secure a nomination for your application! Learn more about the nomination application HERE. Questions? Please contact Chloe Nicklas, chloe.nicklas@mail.house.gov DISTRICT TEAM UPDATES This month, Team Neguse visited with Community Food Share to hear about food insecurities facing Coloradans. Community Food Share distributes over 27,000 meals each day across Colorado and rescues 14 tons of food daily from going to waste. Communities Should you need any assistance from our office, please do not hesitate to reach out. Please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay hopeful! Sincerely, Joe Neguse Member of Congress BOULDER OFFICE 2503 Walnut St Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80302 Phone:
(303) 335-1045
