Tax Proposal Targets New Aurora Mental Health Hospital; CU Anschutz Honors Clinical Leaders
Aurora, CO – March 7, 2026 – Lawmakers advance a tax plan to fund a new state mental health hospital in Aurora as CU Anschutz recognizes leading clinicians.
State lawmakers are moving forward with a ballot proposal that could shape the future of inpatient behavioral health care in Aurora.
Tax Measure Aims to Fund New Mental Health Institute
House Bill 26-1301 would ask Colorado voters in November 2026 to approve increases in excise taxes on alcohol and retail marijuana to finance construction and operation of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Aurora. If approved, the measure would raise specific per-gallon and per-liter alcohol taxes and increase state retail marijuana taxes by 0.42 percentage points starting in 2027.
Revenue would be directed into a dedicated hospital support account within the state capital construction fund. Under the proposal, funding would first go toward building the new Aurora facility, then to operating costs, and later to additional long-term civil commitment capacity elsewhere in the state.
Supporters say the plan is designed to address ongoing capacity challenges in Colorado’s behavioral health system. Because the measure would raise taxes, it must be approved by voters before taking effect.
CU Anschutz Recognizes Clinical Excellence
On March 3, the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Medicine inducted 14 clinicians into its Clinical Excellence Society. The honorees provide care at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and other affiliated sites on and around the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
The recognition highlights physicians and faculty members noted for their commitment to patient care. University leaders described the society as a way to formally celebrate clinical work alongside research and teaching achievements.
For Aurora residents who rely on the Anschutz campus for specialty and hospital care, the ceremony underscores the campus’ role as a major regional hub for advanced treatment and academic medicine.
What Residents Should Know
The proposed mental health hospital funding changes would not take effect unless voters approve them in November 2026. In the meantime, construction and operational details remain tied to the legislative process.
Residents seeking behavioral health services can continue to access care through existing hospital systems and community providers while the proposal moves through committees and toward a possible ballot question.
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If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
