Larimer County Mental Health Facility Passes Vote

The votes are in, and a mental health and withdrawal management facility in Larimer County has been approved with over 61 percent support.

A 0.25 percent sales tax will be used to build a "medical triage", as stated by Larimer County Behavioral Health Project Director Laurie Stolen.

Stolen went on to say that the facility will be like a "mental health emergency room" where medical assessments are taken and patients are then placed accordingly within the facility. Offering everything from detox, rehab and mental health services, the facility will be located on forty acres of Larimer County-owned land at South Taft Hill Road and Trilby Road, between Fort Collins and Loveland.

Personally, my family has been affected by mental health as my grandmother and sister struggle with mental disorders. I know we are not alone in this and I also know that the quality of your mental health isn't always a choice, leaving many homeless or in poverty.

According to the Coloradoan, campaign treasurer and volunteer coordinator, Jody Shadduck-McNalley said she did more than 60 presentations across the county, from Colorado State University to a retirement home in Berthoud, to help explain how this would impact the county.

Shadduck-McNalley said that, after every presentation, people would approach her with their stories and those difficult conversations fueled her during the campaign.

Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson said, "there are so many citizens in our county who are unable to get the help they need. I think we're going to be a leader in the state (in mental and behavioral health services)."

Johnson also stated that this was the most important issue he has worked on in his ten years as a commissioner.

You too can contribute to the future of your community by registering to vote here.