Letter from the Director: Growth, possibility and the path ahead at Larimer County Behavioral Health Services

The summer solstice season invites everyone to celebrate growth, be open to new possibilities, and trust the paths unfolding before us.

As I practice this reflection in my own life, I am also mindful of its relevance to our Larimer County Behavioral Health Services team’s work. 

Our department and the greater Larimer County behavioral health system of care have evolved since voters approved the 20-year tax initiative in 2018. 

Is there room for improvement? The answer is always “yes,” and we are seeing more intentional collaboration than ever before. Federal and state-level funding cuts mean organizations cannot afford to survive alone. But our local funding empowers us to add, adapt, and expand services for people experiencing mental health and substance-use challenges and disorders.

Amid the funding challenges other communities are navigating, Larimer County is able to invest in care and the workforce – because our community values behavioral health. 

Celebrate Growth 

• BHS launched its investment strategy with the annual Impact Fund Grant Program and later added the Acute Care facility at Longview campus, made possible through a unique public-private partnership between Larimer County and SummitStone Health Partners. 
• This spring, BHS added its first-of-a-kind workforce program manager to work with partners to recruit, develop, and retain high-quality behavioral health professionals. 
• We have also added a new deputy administrator role, to manage our expanding portfolio and support Acute Care facility operations. 

Be Open to New Possibilities 

• Our portfolio is now multi-pronged – going deeper than the grant program and crisis center to include the Synergy Fund and multi-year funding initiatives. 
• We are also figuring out how to measure the collective impact of our work, which will help our community see the bigger picture of their return on their investment – versus only the impact on individuals and the organizations that support them. 

Trust Our Unfolding Path 

• As BHS’ work has evolved, so too have your expectations of us. We have heard and continue to get affirmation that our department should be a convener – an entity that brings together people and organizations across the continuum of care. 
• We are humbled to serve in this role, integrating that approach into everything from our values to our 2026-30 Strategic Plan. This work is deeply human and requires grit and heart. While care providers focus on the people they are supporting, we will track what’s happening across the system and be a point of connection so we’re collectively better for the people of Larimer County. 

In community, 

Amy Martonis, LCSW