These are presently licensed by CDPHE as Behavioral Health Entities under Chapters 2 and 3. Licensing authority of ATUs is transitioning to the Behavioral Health Administration as of January 1, 2025.
Patients are people in need of short-term, acute psychiatric care but who don't require inpatient hospitalization. The services provided are intensive and individualized services, such as crisis management and stabilization, in a secured residential setting. Nurses, social workers, professional counselors are the license staff who are routinely on-site.
Search for inspection and occurrence findings on our find and compare facilities page. You can search by city or county.
Joint agency oversight
We issue licenses on the basis of program approval in the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and compliance with our regulations. The facility must be designated to initiate an involuntary hold on a person with a mental illness (also termed "27-65 designation").
Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) (303-866-7400) oversees the clinical and treatment components, these include: Admission and discharge, Staffing, Treatment Medical records, Client rights.
Our Health Facilities’ Behavioral Health and Community Services team ensures facility compliance with non-clinical and physical plant requirements:
Emergency preparedness, infection control, dietary services, linen and laundry services, interior and exterior environment, fire safety.
CDPHE maintains a Behavioral Health Entity (BHE) website, please visit the BHE page for more information.