Resources Following Tragedy in Colorado Springs

CCI joins El Paso County and all of Colorado as we are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy.

Anyone looking to support the needs of the victims, families and the community during this time can donate at coloradohealingfund.org.

Statewide Crisis Services and Mental Health Resources

Colorado Crisis Services: For help with any mental health, substance use or emotional concern, call Colorado Crisis Services at 844- 493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255. Our trained professionals provide free, immediate, and confidential help, 24/7/365. Learn more at ColoradoCrisisServices.org.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org. Youth can request a counselor who specifically focuses on the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults via call, text, and chat.

OwnPath: OwnPath connects Coloradans with behavioral health providers licensed by the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and to search for specific services or use a guided search to identify providers or resources that best meet their needs. Learn more at OwnPath.co.

Youth-Focused Crisis Services and Mental Health Resources

Below the Surface: Below the Surface aims to help teens connect to and get support from the Colorado Crisis Services (CCS) text line. Text TALK to 38255 to speak with a trained counselor 24/7 on a personal, free, confidential line. Learn more at BelowTheSurfaceCo.com.

IMatter: I Matter provides up to six free therapy sessions for any Colorado youth 18 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services. Therapy is provided by licensed clinicians in Colorado. Visit IMatterColorado.org to sign up for free therapy sessions.

Inside Out Youth Services: Inside Out Youth Services builds access, equity, and power with LGBTQIA2+ young people, through leadership, advocacy, community-building, education, and peer support. Find a list of LGBTQIA+ resources at InsideOutYS.org/Resources.

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free. Visit TheTrevorProject.org to get connected.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHGRF) Webinar | December 1

The Colorado Energy Office and the Colorado Clean Energy Fund invite commissioners and county staff  to attend a meeting to discuss the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHGRF), a grant program outlined in the recent passing of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). This meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, December 1st from 2:00pm to 3:30pm MST and will center on reviewing a proposed, coordinated strategy among the State, municipalities, counties, and Tribal governments to apply for funding in the GHGRF for Colorado. This meeting will inform a joint response in early December to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is administering the funds outlined in Section 134(a)(1) of the GHGRF.

A collaborative, unified approach will better position Colorado to access funding from the GHGRF, streamline the process of deploying capital and managing reporting, and ultimately provide for execution of projects across the state that align with the State’s goals for environmental justice and supporting energy transition communities.

Click here for more details and register to attend here: Accessing Funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Colorado’s Strategy for a Coordinated Approach.

Tiny Home Regulation Development Underway

The Division of Housing’s Building Codes & Standards Section (BCS) has been working to implement HB22-1242, which went into effect on August 10, 2022. This bill primaraily establishes the regulation of “tiny homes” manufactured for use in Colorado to begin on July 1, 2023.

  • The bill requires three new members be appointed to the 12-member Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) charged with recommending construction and installation codes to be adopted by the State Housing Board. Two of the members are from the tiny home industry and one from energy conservation. The two positions from the tiny home industry have been filled. DOH is still working to fill the energy conservation position.
  • The TAC held its first meeting on November 1 to begin the process of recommending construction and installation codes/standards for consideration by the State Housing Board in the form of proposed rules at a rulemaking hearing scheduled for May 9, 2023. The TAC met for a second time on November 15 and will meet 10 more times through the end of March in order to finalize its proposed rules to be considered by the Board along with written and verbal testimony from the public in response to the proposed rules.

Keep a lookout: BCS will be posting an Administrative IV position to help implement HB22-1242 and to oversee the regulation of tiny homes. BCS will also eventually fill positions for an Engineer, Inspector, and Program Assistant as a result of this bill.

Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP) To Be Finalized Soon!

HB22-1282 went into effect on May 20, 2022, and it establishes a $40 million Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP) to incentivize the construction and installation of prefabricated homes in Colorado, e.g. modular homes and tiny homes. IHIP will be housed under the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). OEDIT has drafted guidelines for IHIP, received public input in response to the draft guidelines, and is currently working to finalize them by mid-November. DOH staff members are assisting OEDIT with this process along with other members of the IHIP interagency group convened to implement this program. The bill also directs OEDIT to consult with DOH in the establishment of its loan application process and to collaborate with DOH in the consideration of loan applications and the awarding of any loan funds.