2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 13 - COURTS AND COURT PROCEDURE (§§ 13-1-101 — 13-100-104) › ADVOCATES (§§ 13-91-101 — 13-100-104) › Article 95 - OFFICE OF THE STATEWIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COURT LIAISON (§§ 13-95-101 — 13-95-109) › Section 13-95-104 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Bridges of Colorado commission - creation - membership - duties - repeal

(1)
There is created in the office the bridges of Colorado commission to support the office.
(2)
(a)
The commission is comprised of the following members:
(I)
The executive director of the Colorado district attorneys' council, or the executive director's designee;
(II)
The state public defender, or the state public defender's designee;
(III)
The commissioner of the behavioral health administration, or the commissioner's designee;
(IV)
The director of the office within a state department responsible for assisting civil and forensic mental health patients, or the director's designee;
(V)
The state court administrator, or the state court administrator's designee; and
(VI)
The following members, appointed by the chief justice of the Colorado supreme court:
(A)
A representative from a disability rights organization that provides services to the populations served by the office;
(B)
A representative from a behavioral health, disability, or criminal justice advocacy organization that advocates for the populations served by the office;
(C)
A representative from an organization that provides housing or other resources to the populations served by the office; and
(D)
Three Colorado residents, at least two of whom are individuals with lived experience reflective of the populations served by the office.
(b)
The chief justice shall make appointments to the commission pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(VI) of this section no later than July 1, 2023.
(c)
Members appointed by the chief justice must not be employed or under contract with the office or the office within a state department responsible for assisting civil and forensic mental health patients. To represent the diversity of the communities served by the office, when making designations or appointments to the commission, the designating and appointing authorities shall consider a designee's or appointee's place of residence or employment, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, race, ethnic background, and lived experience.
(d)
(I)
Except for the initial appointments made pursuant to subsection (2)(d)(II) of this section, the term of appointment for each member appointed by the chief justice pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(VI) of this section is three years. The chief justice may reappoint a member for additional terms.
(II)
(A)
For the initial term of appointment of the members pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(VI) of this section, the chief justice shall appoint two members to a three-year term, two members to a two-year term, and one member to a one-year term.
(B)
This subsection (2)(d)(II) is repealed, effective December 31, 2025.
(e)
Each member of the commission serves without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the member's duties.
(3)
The director shall call the first meeting of the commission to occur no later than July 31, 2023.
(4)
The director and the commission shall establish procedures for the operation of the commission.
(5)
The commission shall:
(a)
Appoint the director of the office. The commission may remove a director for cause.
(b)
Work cooperatively with the director to provide guidance to the office; provide fiscal oversight of the general operating budget of the office; participate in funding decisions relating to the provision of services; and assist with the duties of the office concerning office training and public outreach, as needed.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 471,§ 5, eff. 8/7/2024.
Added by 2023 Ch. 119,§ 1, eff. 4/27/2023.
2024 Ch. 471, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.