Colorado Enhances Mental Health Care with Transitional Living Homes to Accelerate Competency Recovery

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In Colorado, there are only two state-run psychiatric hospitals available for people with serious mental illnesses and those facing criminal charges. When patients are ready to leave these facilities, a big question often arises: where do they go next?

A promising solution is the new mental health transitional living (MHTL) homes. These homes provide a supportive setting for people recovering from mental health issues. They are located in various cities, such as Lakewood, Littleton, Westminster, Pueblo West, and Colorado Springs. The Cascade Home in Colorado Springs opened its doors in March 2024, offering a safe and transitional space for individuals in need.

Bonnie Wright, the division director of the MHTL Homes program, describes these homes as exactly what they sound like: transitional housing. “These homes help individuals get back on their feet and reintegrate into the community,” she explains. “They provide a space for people to adjust and prepare for the next stage of their lives.”

The homes are managed by the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health. Some homes are state-run, meaning all the staff is state-employed, while others are privately operated but must meet specific state requirements. Wright notes that the state provides support and funding to these contracted homes to help them function effectively.

Nathan Duran-Martinez, 44, spent about a year at the Cascade Home. His struggles with mental health began during his college years. “I played college football, but after injuring my knee, my career ended,” he recalls. This setback led to feelings of depression and anxiety, and at the time, he didn’t understand what he was experiencing.

Unfortunately, Duran-Martinez turned to alcohol and drugs, which led him to live on the streets for over a decade. After relocating from New Mexico to Colorado in 2020, he faced a significant breakdown at work. He ended up living in distressing conditions, even falling victim to frostbite during a snowstorm that eventually led to the amputation of both his legs.

After his surgery, he entered the El Paso County Jail while recovering in a wheelchair and later made his way to the Cascade Home. “I learned how to communicate and be honest with myself and others,” he shares. Living in a stable environment with responsibilities helped him feel normal again. “Having a bed, eating dinner at a table, and just being part of a community made a huge difference,” he adds.

The MHTL homes emerged from House Bill 22-1303, which identified a clear need for more community-based mental health options. Leora Joseph, director of the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, emphasizes that these homes aim to support individuals transitioning out of intensive care while freeing up hospital beds for incoming patients. This approach is essential in addressing discharge barriers where certain patients face difficulties finding appropriate housing after leaving the hospital.

Currently, Colorado is under a consent decree due to past failures in addressing timely mental health treatment, which has resulted in stay lists. These MHTL homes play a role in remedying that situation by offering a step-down option from hospital care. According to Joseph, they can also serve as a step-up resource for individuals needing more support.

Notably, the MHTL homes are set up in different tiers. Level 1 homes, like Cascade, accept clients from multiple sources, primarily prioritizing those from hospitals. These homes primarily focus on individuals who can begin to navigate life more independently. Level 2 homes are dedicated exclusively to clients coming from state mental health hospitals and offer additional therapeutic services on-site.

When fully operational, Colorado will have 13 contracted MHTL homes and three state-run homes, with an expected total of five Level 1 homes and 10 Level 2 homes opening by June. One additional home will provide a nursing home level of care, but an exact opening date is still being determined.

As these resources expand, Duran-Martinez reflects the hope that the MHTL homes inspire in people like him: “Having this community has given me a sense of hope,” he says. The MHTL homes are transforming lives and helping former patients find their place back in society.

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