Boulder County outlines first mental and behavioral health tax awards and opens competitive grants to cities

Boulder County staff presented the first rounds of awards from the mental and behavioral health tax and described how remaining funds are being distributed. Staff listed allocations by program: "That was 2,000,000 for mental health and substance use treatment services," they said for equitable access grants; they also listed roughly $1,000,000 for peer and recovery-oriented supports and about $1,100,000 for community prevention and training. Staff said the first competitive round closed on Aug. 27 and that future windows are expected in mid-2027 (a July-ish window).

Commissioners emphasized that the program is intended to be solutions-oriented and that government entities (cities and school districts) may apply to competitive grant pools where multiple providers exist. "So a city could apply and compete," a county official said, and staff added they plan a request-for-proposals for residential step-down housing on a county-owned site on Emery Court. No policy change was made at the meeting; staff said they will continue implementing allocations and solicit further proposals.