Aspen Therapy Collective

Lafayette, CO

Mental Health Legislative Policy Engagement 

Aspen Therapy Collective prioritizes community mental health. This means that we actively follow local, state, and federal legislation that may impact the mental health of our community. We regularly contact representatives to educate and advocate for policies to support mental healthcare. Did you know that you can too? Sharing your story is one of the most powerful ways that you can influence policy. Below are some resources to help you get started. 

URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Stop the Return of Prior Authorization in Colorado Medicaid

What’s Changing?
Colorado Medicaid plans to reinstate “prior authorization” for therapy in January 2026 — this means your therapist would have to ask the Medicaid insurance company for permission before continuing your care after a certain number of sessions. 

🚫 Why This Hurts People 

  • Delays care — therapy could pause while waiting for approval.


  • Interrupts progress — stopping mid-treatment can make symptoms worse.


  • Adds red tape — therapists will spend more time on paperwork, less time helping people.


  • Violates fairness — mental health should be covered the same as physical health. 

📜 Colorado Law Already Outlawed This 

In 2022, lawmakers passed SB22-156, which removed prior authorization for outpatient psychotherapy. Now, officials are trying to undo that progress — even though it’s against the law and harms access to care. 

Send them your story: Use our sample letter to make it easy — just fill in your experience and email it to your representative.

Find your representatives:

 👉 https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator


If you would like to stay up to date on current events and policies, check these links below:


If you would like to contact your state legislator in regards to any policy, visit:

  • How to locate your state legislator:

    https://leg.colorado.gov/FindMyLegislator 

    Once on the website, you can search for your location on the map, or you enter your address in to find the specific legislator for your address. 

  • 5 Calls:

    https://5calls.org/ 

    This website walks you through how to call your representative to voice your opinion on current legislation and policy.  You are able to choose which issue you would like to call about and it provides an overview to the current situation or policy. It also provides you a script to be able to convey your message as clearly and succinctly as possible.