Peace Officer Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnership Grant Program

The Peace Officer Behavioral Health Support and Community Partnership Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Division of Local Government, a state-level agency that provides funding and technical assistance to local governments and public safety entities across Colorado. This program is designed to address the increasing need for behavioral health support among peace officers and to strengthen partnerships between law enforcement and community-based service providers. The Division of Local Government operates under the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and focuses on improving community resilience, public safety, and effective governance through targeted funding initiatives. The primary purpose of this grant program is to support mental health and wellness initiatives for peace officers while also promoting collaborative community response models. Funding is intended to enhance services such as co-responder programs, community-based alternative response systems, and behavioral health interventions that reduce reliance on traditional law enforcement responses. The program emphasizes the importance of addressing job-related trauma experienced by peace officers and improving outcomes through proactive mental health support, training, and policy development. Eligible uses of funds include establishing or expanding co-responder community response programs, developing alternative response strategies that involve behavioral health professionals, and providing counseling services for peace officers and their immediate family members. Additionally, funds may be used to support the development and implementation of policies for officers involved in critical incidents such as shootings or fatal use of force. Training and education initiatives focused on recognizing and addressing job-related mental trauma are also allowable, as are peer support programs and the development of remote behavioral health service networks. These activities must directly support the behavioral health and wellness of peace officers or strengthen partnerships with community-based service providers. Eligibility for this program includes law enforcement agencies, peace officer organizations, tribal governments, and public safety agencies that employ peace officers within the State of Colorado. Behavioral health or social service providers are also eligible to participate, but only through partnerships with qualifying law enforcement or public safety agencies. This requirement ensures that funded activities maintain a direct connection to peace officer support and community safety outcomes. The program is limited geographically to the state of Colorado, and applicants must demonstrate their capacity to implement the proposed activities within this jurisdiction. The application process is managed through a defined funding cycle, with applications opening on June 15, 2026, and closing on July 24, 2026. Applicants are expected to complete required forms, including budget templates and summary documentation, and submit their proposals within this timeframe. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the provided materials, applicants should expect review based on alignment with program goals, feasibility of implementation, and demonstrated need for behavioral health support services. Supporting documentation and adherence to program guidelines are critical components of a successful application. For the fiscal year 2026 to 2027 cycle, approximately 1600000 dollars in total funding is available. The number and size of individual awards are not specified, suggesting that funding may be distributed across multiple recipients based on project scope and quality. There is no explicit mention of matching requirements, indicating that cost sharing may not be mandatory. Applicants should prepare detailed budgets and clearly justify how requested funds will be used to achieve program objectives. Program inquiries and initial interest communications are directed to the assigned Program Manager, with Ella Bowman serving as the primary contact for this grant. She can be reached via email at ella.bowman@state.co.us or by phone at 3038647896. Additional general inquiries may be directed to the Division of Local Government helpdesk. The program operates on an annual funding cycle tied to the state fiscal year, and future opportunities are likely to follow a similar timeline, although applicants should monitor official announcements for updates and changes.

Align proposal with behavioral health outcomes and demonstrate partnership with law enforcement agencies