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Become a member and be a better Denverite every day.

Become a member and be a better Denverite every day.

Become a member and be a better Denverite every day.

Denver is expanding a program that has mental health providers accompany cops

The Denver and the Mental Health Center of Denver program has co-responders accompany police on calls that are likely to be mental health-related.

Erica Meltzer

Sep. 02, 2016, 11:51 a.m.

Sep. 02, 2016, 11:51 a.m.

“Co-responders” are mental health professionals who go on calls with police officers when it seems like the person in question might have untreated mental health problems. The idea is to get people treatment instead of putting them in jail for what is ultimately a medical issue.

Denver and the Mental Health Center of Denver started a pilot program in April to have three co-responders accompany police on calls that were likely to be mental health-related. By July, they had responded to 427 calls involving someone experiencing an mental or behavioral health crisis and diverted 408 people to treatment instead of jail.

Now that program is expanding to six co-responders.

The program is part of Denver’s Crisis Intervention and Response Unit and represents a partnership between Denver Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health Strategies, the Denver Police Department and the Mental Health Center of Denver.

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Reiko Mike and her home in Elyria Swansea. March 31, 2020. Mike closed on the home In March, when it became the first home sold as part of the GES Community Land Trust. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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A rendering of an affordable housing project coming to Baker. (Department of Housing Stability)

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Emergency response vehicles on I-225 in Aurora after a driver sped into protesters on July 25, 2020. The woman below fell from the highway soon after the driver passed and a protester began firing a gun.

Man who fired shots during Elijah McClain protest in Aurora charged with attempted first-degree murder

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Richard Maxwell outside Morey Middle School on Aug. 3, 2020. (Donna Bryson/Denverite)

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A protest march begins, demanding justice for Elijah McClain. July 25, 2020.

Aurora City Council approves Vanessa Wilson as police chief

The decision comes during a tumultuous time in the department as it faces criticism over clashes with protesters.

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The goose cullings have ended (for now). Now can Denver’s parks be fowl-proofed?

Animal rights activists hope so. The city isn't taking anything off the table.

Stapleton, Aug. 29, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Central Park will replace Stapleton as the northeast neighborhood’s name

The voters have spoken.

I-70 expansion construction sits just beyond the fence of this home on Columbine Street in Elyria Swansea. July 22, 2020.

Residents on I-70 construction noise: “At this point we’re just used to it”

Their homes are shaking, but many Elyria-Swansea residents don't oppose Kiewit's extended noise variance request.

An RTD driver in a face mask waits at RTD’s Central Park Station Thursday morning, April 9, 2020. The Regional Transportation District could lose a quarter of a billion dollars in revenue, and potentially more, because of fallout over work, jobs and the economy because of coronavirus.

Denver coronavirus cases leveling off, but please keep wearing face masks (and wash your hands), says Hancock

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Elitch Gardens, April 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Well, it’s official: Elitch’s won’t open at all this year

Mental Health Center of Denver workers Chris Richardson and Randi Edwards speak to Charles Gilmore on a sidewalk in North Capitol Hill. July 30, 2020.

Service providers slam an operation this week to remove a tent city from a park near the state Capitol

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A new mass testing facility for COVID-19 at the Pepsi Center. May 21, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver’s free coronavirus testing site at the Pepsi Center will stay open — for now

The city has been footing a majority of the site's bill, though i'ts requested federal reimbursement.

Two of Olive Moya's favorite Denver murals are on the Dateline Gallery building, 3004 Larimer St. July 29, 2020.

Here’s a free walking tour of some of Denver’s murals, curated by local muralist Olive Moya

Because you asked for it!

Charlie Blackmon on a snowy opening day at Coors Field, April 6, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Goodbye, July. Hello, weekend.

The Hidden Brook Apartments in East Colfax, Nov. 21, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver rent median falling during the pandemic

Apartment List calculated the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Denver at $1,344 in July.

We couldn't get permission to use the actual photo, linked below, so here is this image instead.

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Inside Denver's downtown detention center. Oct. 11, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Coronavirus gave Denver a chance to experiment with freeing inmates and jailing fewer people. How’s that going?

For one thing, people of color still make up a disproportionate amount of detainees.