Request Involuntary Commitment Evaluation - Denver
This guide explains how to request an involuntary civil commitment evaluation in Denver, Colorado. It covers who may begin a petition, the immediate actions for people in crisis, where petitions are filed, the role of law enforcement and courts, and expected timelines. The procedures that govern civil commitment in Denver arise from Colorado mental health statutes and are administered locally by Denver County courts, Denver Human Services, and allied crisis teams.
Who can request an evaluation
Under Colorado civil commitment procedures, petitions can be initiated by relatives, physicians, peace officers, mental health professionals, or any concerned person with relevant firsthand information about a person’s dangerous behavior or grave disability. In Denver these petitions are handled through Denver County Court and coordinated with Denver Human Services and local crisis response teams.
How the process works
- Initial evaluation: a peace officer or qualified clinician may take a person for an emergency evaluation if there is probable cause to believe they are a danger to self or others or gravely disabled.
- Filing a petition: a written petition is filed in Denver County Court to request a civil commitment hearing.
- Court hearing: the court schedules an expedited hearing where evidence and testimonies are presented; the respondent has rights to counsel and to present evidence.
- Temporary detention or involuntary treatment: if the court finds statutory criteria met, it may order involuntary hospitalization, treatment, or conditional release under court supervision.
Penalties & Enforcement
Involuntary commitment is a civil procedure, not a municipal bylaw enforcement matter; therefore criminal fines or daily monetary penalties are generally not the remedy for commitment decisions. Specific monetary fines for failure to comply with civil commitment criteria are not applicable in the commitment determination itself and are not specified on the primary statute and court procedure pages referenced in Resources below.
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited pages for civil commitment proceedings; civil commitment focuses on detention and treatment orders rather than fines.
- Escalation: the court may order short-term emergency detention followed by longer civil commitment orders if statutory criteria persist; specific escalation fee schedules are not specified on the cited pages.
- Non-monetary sanctions: orders for involuntary hospitalization, court-ordered treatment, conditional release with supervision, and potential appointment of a guardian or conservator.
- Enforcer and pathways: Denver County Court enforces court orders; Denver Human Services and designated behavioral health providers coordinate evaluations and treatment placements.
- Appeals and review: respondents may seek review or appeal through Colorado courts; statutory timelines for emergency holds and hearings are set by Colorado mental health statutes and court rules and are referenced in Resources.
Applications & Forms
The practical filing instrument in Denver is a civil commitment petition filed with Denver County Court (often called a "Petition for Involuntary Civil Commitment"). Specific court form numbers or fee amounts are not specified on the primary statute pages; petition forms and filing instructions are available from Denver County Court or Colorado Judicial Branch clerk’s offices (see Resources for links).
Immediate action steps
- If there is imminent danger, call 911 and request a crisis/emergency response.
- Contact Denver Human Services or a mobile crisis team for urgent behavioral health response and possible transport for evaluation.
- If not immediate danger, prepare facts and witnesses and file a petition with Denver County Court to begin a civil commitment proceeding.
FAQ
- Who can start an involuntary commitment petition?
- Relatives, physicians, peace officers, mental health professionals, or any concerned person with firsthand information may file a petition to request an evaluation or hearing.
- How long can someone be held for emergency evaluation?
- Emergency evaluation holds are governed by Colorado statutes and court rules; exact initial hold lengths and statutory timelines should be confirmed with Denver County Court or the cited statutes.
- Will the person be entitled to an attorney?
- Yes. Respondents have rights to legal counsel in civil commitment hearings; courts can appoint counsel if the respondent cannot afford one.
How-To
- Call 911 or request immediate crisis response if the person is an imminent danger to self or others.
- Contact Denver Human Services or a local mobile crisis team to request evaluation and coordination of care.
- Gather documentation: medical records, witness statements, and recent behavior supporting the petition.
- File a civil commitment petition with Denver County Court (court clerk) or ask a clinician or attorney to file on your behalf.
- Attend the court hearing and present evidence; follow any court-ordered treatment, release conditions, or appeal deadlines.
Key Takeaways
- Involuntary commitment in Denver follows Colorado civil commitment statutes and is managed through Denver County Court and local behavioral health services.
- For immediate danger, call 911; for non-emergencies, contact Denver Human Services or the court clerk for petition filing guidance.
Help and Support / Resources
- Denver Human Services - Behavioral Health and Crisis Response
- Colorado Judicial Branch - Forms and Court Information
- Colorado General Assembly - Revised Statutes (Title 27, mental health statutes)