Approves an agreement with Mental Health Center of Denver, d/b/a WellPower, for $2,104,859.00 with an end date of 11-30-2026 for continued Co-Responder services funded by the Caring for Denver Foundation grant, citywide (POLIC-202581732).

The City and County of Denver has approved a $2,104,859.00 agreement with the Mental Health Center of Denver, d/b/a WellPower, for continued Co-Responder services through November 30, 2026. This funding, provided by the Caring for Denver Foundation grant, supports the citywide Crisis Intervention Response Unit (CIRU) program (Resolution No. CR25-1969, City Clerk’s Filing No. 202581732).

Program Details:

• The CIRU program, which began in 2016, pairs 33 licensed mental health clinicians with first responders from the Denver Police Department (DPD), Denver Fire Department (DFD), Denver Sheriff Department (DSD), and Denver Parks and Recreation.
• Clinicians respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises, aiming to de-escalate situations, prevent arrests and injuries, and connect individuals to appropriate community support and services.
• Over the past nine years, the program has responded to over 47,000 calls for service, with less than 1.5% resulting in arrest or citation, demonstrating its effectiveness in diverting individuals from the criminal justice system.
• The agreement also includes provisions for ongoing training for first responders in trauma-informed, client-centered approaches.

This agreement ensures the continuation of critical mental health support for residents experiencing crises, providing a more appropriate and effective response than traditional law enforcement alone. It helps reduce arrests and citations for mental health-related incidents and connects individuals to long-term community services, fostering overall community safety and well-being.

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