Senate Joint Resolution 26-013 is a nonbinding resolution that recognizes February 26, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Action Day in Colorado. The resolution frames youth mental health as a statewide crisis and cites data on sadness, hopelessness, suicide risk, and shortages in mental health services to support the need for action. It also highlights the role of pediatric providers, schools, families, state agencies, and community partners in identifying and responding to mental health needs among children and adolescents.
The measure does not create a new program, mandate, or appropriation. Instead, it expresses the General Assembly’s commitment to promoting child and youth well-being through cost-effective investments, better coordination, and improved accessibility in the children’s mental health system. It also calls for continued collaboration with mental health professionals and local organizations to strengthen the continuum of care from early prevention to higher-acuity treatment.
Impact
Because SJR013 is a joint resolution, it does not amend Colorado statutes or directly change state law. Its legal effect is symbolic and declaratory: it formally recognizes Youth Mental Health Action Day and states legislative support for ongoing efforts to improve youth mental health services. The practical impact is to elevate the issue in state policy discussions and encourage coordination among agencies, providers, and community partners, but it does not itself require new spending, regulation, or enforcement.
Sentiment
The sentiment around the resolution appears strongly supportive and bipartisan. The bill passed the Senate 32-0 and the House 59-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The language of the resolution is affirming and urgent, emphasizing concern about youth mental health while also expressing appreciation for pediatric health-care providers and other stakeholders working on the issue.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the bill text or voting history. The resolution’s findings emphasize the severity of the youth mental health crisis and the need for more coordinated services, but it does not propose specific policy changes that might trigger disagreement. Any potential point of debate would likely be over the broader policy implications of the resolution’s call for “cost-effective investments” and system strengthening, rather than the recognition of the observance itself, which received unanimous support.