Governor John Hickenlooper announced proposed changes to Colorado’s mental health services and support system.

The changes come in response to this summer's Aurora theater massacre.

Former neuroscience grad student James Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and wounding 70 others in the July shootings.  But why did he do it?  His attorneys say mental illness is a factor.

The Governor's new plan calls for a change in state law, allowing the judicial system to instantly transmit mental health records to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. That means more efficient firearm background checks.

The plan would also establish statewide mental health crisis centers and hotlines, among other services for the mentally ill.

State Human Services executive director, Reggie Bicha was in Grand Junction today, speaking on behalf of the governor.

“What we hope to do with this strategy is to make more in the public aware of it and create better access points to get people the service and information that they need,” Bicha said.  “We want to make sure that treatment of mental illness is as normal as treatment of a broken arm is in the state of Colorado.”

Officials in favor of the changes say that streamlining the process makes sense if we want to get people into the right treatment at the right time.

The proposed investment into Colorado’s mental health totals more than $18 million.

The funding was proposed to the general assembly last month.  Pending approval, the changes could go into effect as early as July.

The changes come in response to this summer's Aurora theater massacre.

Former neuroscience grad student James Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and wounding 70 others in the July shootings.  But why did he do it?  His attorneys say mental illness is a factor.

The Governor's new plan calls for a change in state law, allowing the judicial system to instantly transmit mental health records to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. That means more efficient firearm background checks.

The plan would also establish statewide mental health crisis centers and hotlines, among other services for the mentally ill.

State Human Services executive director, Reggie Bicha was in Grand Junction today, speaking on behalf of the governor.

“What we hope to do with this strategy is to make more in the public aware of it and create better access points to get people the service and information that they need,” Bicha said.  “We want to make sure that treatment of mental illness is as normal as treatment of a broken arm is in the state of Colorado.”

Officials in favor of the changes say that streamlining the process makes sense if we want to get people into the right treatment at the right time.

The proposed investment into Colorado’s mental health totals more than $18 million.

The funding was proposed to the general assembly last month.  Pending approval, the changes could go into effect as early as July.