Rehab Centers for Serious Mental Illness and Addiction in Colorado

What counts as a serious mental illness, and how is it treated alongside substance use?

A serious mental illness is a mental health condition that substantially limits daily life, such as a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder or major depression with significant impairment, and in Colorado it is treated alongside substance use disorder through one coordinated plan.

Many other conditions affect mood or stress but leave work, housing and relationships largely intact. A serious mental illness tends to disrupt those areas for long stretches, which is why psychiatric care, medication and housing support often sit inside the same treatment plan as addiction care.

Co-occurring treatment means psychiatric care and addiction care happen together, ideally with one team sharing notes and goals. Colorado programs that describe this approach are gathered on the dual diagnosis rehab in Colorado page. Not every program admits people with psychotic or bipolar disorders, so raise it on the first call.

Ask before admission whether a program continues antipsychotics, mood stabilizers or long-acting injectables, and who prescribes on site. Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program, covers mental health and addiction treatment through regional plans that can say which programs are in network.

Levels of care listed in Colorado

Colorado programs that list serious mental illness care report a range of settings, from hospital-level psychiatric care to weekly outpatient visits. Programs also differ in whether they accept people with psychotic or bipolar disorders, so ask about this directly when you call.

Where do adults with serious mental illness get public mental health care in Colorado?

Public mental health care in Colorado is coordinated by the Behavioral Health Administration, a state agency housed within the Colorado Department of Human Services. The BHA licenses behavioral health providers through a Behavioral Health Entity license with endorsements. It also oversees federal block grant money that helps pay for care for people without other coverage. The BHA points people to the OwnPath directory to search for providers.

To request an assessment, call a program’s intake line and ask for a mental health and substance use evaluation. Health First Colorado members can also ask their regional health plan to arrange one. During the assessment, ask whether the provider can connect you with assertive community treatment teams, coordinated specialty care for early psychosis, peer support specialists or supported housing. Availability of these services varies by region. Lower-cost options are listed under state-funded rehab in Colorado.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover treatment for serious mental illness and substance use?

Yes. Health First Colorado, the state’s Medicaid program run by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, covers behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use treatment. Colorado expanded Medicaid on January 1, 2014, which opened coverage to more low-income adults.

Since July 1, 2025, Regional Accountable Entities have managed the behavioral health benefit in each region:

• Region 1: Rocky Mountain Health Plans, including RMHP Prime
• Region 2: Northeast Health Partners
• Region 3: Colorado Community Health Alliance
• Region 4: Colorado Access

Elevate Medicaid Choice from Denver Health is a separate managed care plan. Pregnant and postpartum members with a substance use disorder may qualify for the Special Connections program. Your regional plan can tell you which programs are in network and whether any programs specific to serious mental illness apply to you. Read more about Medicaid-accepting rehab. Each listing also notes the other payment types it accepts.

Will a program in Colorado continue my psychiatric medications during substance use treatment?

Many programs will, but policies differ, so ask before admission. Specifically, ask whether the program continues these medications:

• antipsychotics
• mood stabilizers
• long-acting injectables
• medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder

Also ask who prescribes on site and how often a psychiatric prescriber sees residents. Ask whether the staff will coordinate with your current psychiatrist through a signed release.

Opioid treatment programs in Colorado operate under the BHA’s State Opioid Treatment Authority. Programs offering buprenorphine are listed on the Suboxone clinics in Colorado page. Bring a current medication list and your pharmacy details to intake so doses are not interrupted.

What crisis help is available for serious mental illness in Colorado?

In Colorado, you can call or text 988 at any hour to reach 988 Colorado, which now handles the calls that used to go to Colorado Crisis Services. Ask the person who answers about mobile crisis response and crisis stabilization options near you. Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Comparing Colorado listings

Accreditation from the Joint Commission or CARF appears on listings where a provider reports it. You can look up a provider’s license through the BHA. Listings also show languages and populations served, including Spanish-speaking rehab in Colorado.

The setting of these programs often matters in Colorado:

• About half are in urban areas and roughly a third are rural.
• 54 percent sit at high elevation, with a median of 5,510 feet.
• 73 percent are within 25 miles of a river, most often the North Fork South Platte River.
• Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is the most common nearest airport, and the median distance to the nearest airport is 18.2 miles.

Browse every program type on the Colorado rehab directory.