Larimer County commissioners approve contract with SummitStone Health Partners to continue clinical service at Longview behavioral health facility

Nearly two years since Larimer County’s behavioral health facility opened to the community, Larimer County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an amended contract with SummitStone Health Partners to continue providing mental health and substance-use care services.

Making contract amendments is to be expected throughout a public-private partnership and reflects the unique and dynamic nature of operating the Acute Care facility at Longview campus, made possible by the County’s dedicated behavioral health sales tax.

“Our partners at SummitStone provide compassionate, high-quality and around-the-clock services that didn’t exist in Larimer County before Acute Care opened its doors,” said Amy Martonis, director of Behavioral Health Services. 

“They have done a tremendous job of supporting children, teens, and adults navigating individualized behavioral health crises, and we continue learning together how to enhance an already-strong care model that other communities want to emulate.” 

Larimer County voters in 2018 approved a 20-year tax initiative that would require an extension to continue after it expires Dec. 31, 2038. For every $100 spent in the county, 25 cents goes to expanding and enhancing behavioral health care. 

Fast forward seven years, and the Behavioral Health Services Department is honoring its commitments to voters by investing tax dollars through its annual Impact Fund Grant program and Acute Care facility.

Acute Care is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year to people of all ages – regardless of their ability to pay.

Between opening day, Dec. 2, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2025, SummitStone data show: 

• 6,827 unique clients accounted for 13,796 total visits to the Acute Care facility.
• There were 600 to 700 monthly visits to the facility’s behavioral health urgent care, where every client starts after walking in the front doors.
• About 250 clients per month were admitted for further care – think crisis stabilization or medically-managed withdrawal – after their initial visit to urgent care.
• A majority were walk-in clients and residents of Larimer County. 

Dr. Lesley Brooks, SummitStone’s chief medical officer and executive director of the Acute Care facility, thanked the Longview staff for their dedication and flexibility. 

“Providing whole-person behavioral health care isn’t just a goal — it’s our promise. To serve our community, in a way that melds behavioral and physical health needs, at a specially designed and uniquely-funded facility like ours, is rare and meaningful work,” she said, “And I couldn’t be prouder of our team, as they have treated a growing number of clients with increasingly layered and complex needs.”

Contract amendments included those made to reflect the opening of the facility’s new adolescent unit, which adds eight beds for overnight crisis stabilization care for youth ages 12-17. Adolescents and teens were always able to visit behavioral health urgent care; this is an expansion of much-needed services.

SummitStone plans to reach full capacity in 2026 by bringing on line 16 additional beds for adults. The Acute Care facility will then have 56 beds total.

The County’s current contract with SummitStone runs through Dec. 31, 2028. Behavioral Health Services and SummitStone staff will continue collaborating to improve care, including through the assessment of client data.