Larimer County BOCC Work Session 8/17/26 11:00 a.m.

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners held a work session on August 17, 2026, focused primarily on the Behavioral Health Services Department's annual impact fund grant program. The department recommended increasing the grant allocation from $2.8 million to $3 million for 2026, including a one-time $200,000 increase to fund additional projects. The board discussed the grant application process, funding tiers, and the distribution of awards across targeted behavioral health project areas. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of funding, especially related to workforce development and the potential impacts of upcoming Medicaid changes (HR1 cliff) on service demand and financial stability. The commissioners agreed to approve the one-time $200,000 increase for tier 2 projects in 2026 but preferred to delay a permanent increase to $3 million until more data and consensus on fiscal impacts and workforce strategies are available. The discussion also covered transparency improvements, such as a new searchable grant database and enhanced communications with grantees.