Colorado directs gifts toward enhanced nursing facility payments for behavioral care

The state health financing department must use qualifying gifts, grants, and donations to support and fund the enhanced reimbursement model. The model is for nursing facilities that serve residents with behavioral health needs. The department must receive the gifts, grants, or donations for the purpose of supporting and funding the model. The law takes effect August 13, 2026, if the legislature adjourns on May 13, 2026. If a referendum petition is filed in time, the affected part takes effect only if voters approve it, on the governor’s official declaration of the vote.

If the Joint Budget Committee asks, the executive director must report how the department used the qualifying gifts, grants, or donations. The report covers gifts, grants, or donations received for the nursing facility reimbursement model. The report is required only upon the Joint Budget Committee’s request. The law takes effect August 13, 2026, if the legislature adjourns on May 13, 2026. If a referendum petition is filed in time, the affected part takes effect only if voters approve it, on the governor’s official declaration of the vote.

Receiving these gifts does not commit the state to general fund spending, and the legislature may not reduce an appropriation for the same purpose because of the gifts. These rules apply to gifts, grants, and donations received for the nursing facility reimbursement model. The protection against an appropriation reduction applies to appropriations for the same purpose. The law takes effect August 13, 2026, if the legislature adjourns on May 13, 2026. If a referendum petition is filed in time, the affected part takes effect only if voters approve it, on the governor’s official declaration of the vote.