The undersigned healthcare practitioners urge you to support proposed legislation in Colorado
to grant prescriptive authority to psychologists with advanced and specialized training in clinical
psychopharmacology. Colorado is in a serious mental health crisis, with a high prevalence of
mental health issues through the community and a significant shortage of mental health
professionals statewide. Nationally, Colorado ranks 51 st of 50 states and Washington DC for
prevalence of adults with mental illness and lack of access to care. Since the COVID-19
pandemic, rates of mental health issues in Coloradans have increased, with nearly 50% of
Coloradans experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a more than a 50% increase
in Coloradans calling or texting a crisis hotline.

As healthcare practitioners, we intimately understand the impact that the lack of access to care
is having on Coloradans. We see it every day. That is why, we write this letter urging your
support to grant prescriptive authority to licensed psychologists with advanced degrees and
training in prescribing psychotropic medications, with the goal of increasing access to
appropriate behavioral health treatment for Coloradans. (this is the statement missing)

We support this initiative because the amount of education and training it would take for a
psychologist to be able to achieve prescription authority is extensive and adequate to serve
patients well. Prescribing psychologists have a long track record of safely prescribing in the
military healthcare system, New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho. We stand
alongside other experts in the field who have supported and continue to support prescription
authority for psychologists.

While we know that it is imperative to hear from current professionals who are supportive in
states where this already exists, we wanted to take the opportunity to also allow you the
perspective of behavioral health professionals and other physicians right here in Colorado and
throughout the nation.