When a Coloradan calls 988, schedules therapy through Medicaid, or walks into a treatment center, they’re stepping into a behavioral health system that is changing. In a partnership between OIT’s Colorado Digital Service (CDS), the Governor’s Office, Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), and the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)—a division of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)—the state embarked on a journey in 2022 to reimagine how mental health and substance use services are delivered to Coloradans.
But rebuilding a system this complex takes more than policy. It takes new tools, better data and a focus on the people who rely on it every day.
The Challenge
For years, the behavioral health system in Colorado was weighed down by disconnected tools and outdated technology. Providers had to navigate multiple systems just to stay in compliance. People looking for care often had no clear way to find services or understand what was available to them. It made a hard situation even harder.
Our Role
OIT’s CDS joined the effort early to support the state’s endeavors. What began as a short engagement with the Office of Behavioral Health turned into a multi-year partnership, bringing in product managers, designers, developers and procurement experts. Together, we worked to modernize systems and center the experience around real users—patients, providers and families.
What We Built Together
- Performance Hub: A public dashboard that helps people explore behavioral health trends across the state, powered by a new data infrastructure.
- Client Care Search: A tool that lets providers log and find available beds and services in real-time.
- OwnPath Care Directory: A free, easy-to-use website where Coloradans can find behavioral health providers near them. It receives over 4,000 visits each month.
- OwnPath Profile: A simple portal that allows providers to keep their listing details up to date.
- Central Registry: A tool to support compliance for Medication Assisted Treatment programs.
Additionally, we worked together to modernize LADDERS, the state’s provider licensing system, to reflect new requirements and improve data accuracy. We also helped create a stronger vendor ecosystem, bringing on contractors and managing partners across product and delivery.
What’s Ahead
The tools and practices put in place are now helping BHA staff, providers and communities across Colorado. In the coming months, BHA will continue building on this work by hiring a new Tech and Data Division Director, launching a recruitment campaign for providers to join the OwnPath Directory, and aligning their tech efforts more closely with statewide program goals.