By Surveyor Staff

The Larimer County Board of Commissioners approved a Detox and Mental Health Treatment Facility and Services issue to be included on the November ballot.

The volunteer Advisory Board, People for Healthier Larimer County, now takes the issue to voters. The proposed facility will address a gap in services for county residents.

“Mental illness and substance abuse are serious health issues for 1 in 4 people in Larimer County,” read a statement provided by Larimer County. “People in crisis end up in the emergency room, the jail, or in Greeley’s public detox facility. Larimer County residents need a public facility to get through a crisis, and to get the continuum of care a treatment facility will provide. Mental illness and substance use disorders are treatable health conditions.”

The ballot issue calls for a sales tax of 25 cents on $100 for 25 years. The tax, if approved by voters, begins Jan. 1, 2017. The money collected will be used to build, improve, maintain, and operate a treatment and detox facility for mental health, alcohol and drug abuse with associated support services.

The facility, with an estimated cost of $20-million for construction, will be conveniently located in Larimer County. Once built, the annual operating budget is expected to be $16 million dollars, which includes revenues of $4 million from Medicare and Medicaid.
“Ensuring people will have access to the help they need is a great investment in our communities,” the statement read.

The website www.larimerbehavioralhealth.com was launched earlier this summer by the citizens group to help keep people informed, provide letters to the editor information, and collect donations. People for a Healthier Larimer County also have Facebook and Twitter pages.
Visit ‘People for a Healthier Larimer County’ on Facebook and follow the organization on Twitter for updates and information. Or, visit www.larimerbehavioralhealth.com for more information about the facility and to get involved. People for a Healthier Larimer County can be reached at [email protected].