Sen. Michael Bennet, candidate for governor in this year’s election, speaks to western slopers during the West Slope People’s Forum, hosted by the Western Colorado Alliance at the Dual Immersion Academy in Grand Junction on April 18, 2026.
Larry Robinson / The Daily Sentinel
Sen. Michael Bennet introduced a bill last week that would set aside funding for mental health programs to support law enforcement efforts.
“The legislation will provide dedicated funds for collaborative partnerships between law enforcement, health professionals, case managers, and outreach teams to improve public safety and connect people with mental health services and community resources,” a press release announcing the bill stated. “Instead of treating situations primarily as criminal matters, the goal is to stabilize the person, reduce escalation, and connect them with care.”
According to the release, the bill will pair mental health clinicians with a paramedics and/ or EMTs to respond to some low-risk 911 calls; train crisis workers to respond to calls for service and help stabilize situations; provide mental health services for people, including those in crisis, who may need further evaluation and treatment; stabilize encounters between law enforcement officers and people experiencing behavioral health crises and connect the people with appropriate support programs; and build case management and outreach teams to follow up with people to develop solutions to reduce repeat interactions with law enforcement.
Bennet was joined in introducing the bill by Rep. Jason Crow.
Scott Crabtree
Grand Junction Police Department Chief Matt Smith
Scott Crabtree
One of the people quoted in the press release announcing the bill was Grand Junction Police Chief Matt Smith, who said, “By combining the skills of highly trained Police Officers with mental health clinicians we are able to provide a safer environment to address the needs of an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. This collaborative effort allows many individuals to get resources at home or the most appropriate treatment facility for their individual needs.”
The bill is also being supported by the La Plata County Sheriff, Alamosa Police Chief and Vail Police Chief.
Bennet originally introduced the bill, dubbed the Supporting Mental Assistance Responder Teams (SMART) act, in 2022, and again in 2024.
“Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis end up in situations that escalate because they are not getting the care and support they need,” said Bennet. “Law enforcement agencies across Colorado are partnering with behavioral health specialists to help de-escalate crises, connect people to treatment and long-term support, and ensure individuals receive the help they need in the moment. This legislation builds on that approach so that communities across the country can better respond to mental health crises while strengthening public safety.”