DENVER ~ Denver - In a move to continue the state's efforts in providing mental and behavioral health care to its citizens, Governor Jared Polis has appointed Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera as the Interim Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). This decision comes after former Commissioner Dannette Smith's retirement and will be effective from Saturday, February 28th until a permanent commissioner is selected.

Governor Polis expressed his confidence in Lt. Governor Primavera's ability to lead the BHA during this transition period. He stated, "I'm focused on expanding access to the health care Coloradans need to live strong and healthy lives. Lt. Governor Primavera is one of the original visionaries for the BHA, and is the clear choice to step in and further BHA's important work." He also highlighted her experience as the Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care and her role as his trusted partner.

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Lt. Governor Primavera, who has been a strong advocate for expanding access to high-quality and affordable health care, expressed her gratitude for being given this additional responsibility. She stated, "Strong mental and behavioral health care is the basis of a healthy life." She also shared her passion for ensuring behavioral health care for all Coloradans and her readiness to continue supporting this vital work.

As second-in-command to Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera has a proven track record of leadership on important health care issues. In her role as Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, she leads innovative efforts to expand access to high-quality and affordable health care for all Coloradans. She also oversees the Governor's Health Cabinet, where leaders from various departments coordinate on statewide efforts to improve health outcomes for citizens.

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The Lt. Governor has been actively involved in advancing behavioral health care in Colorado through her participation in various committees and task forces. She brings a unique perspective to her role, having been diagnosed with cancer four times and being a lifelong health care advocate. Her experience in leading organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors also makes her a strong operational leader.

In addition to her role in the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, Lt. Governor Primavera also oversees Serve Colorado, which is responsible for AmeriCorps State and National in Colorado. Under her leadership, Serve Colorado launched the Youth Mental Health Corps, a model initiative that connects students to mental health care supports and creates career pathways to strengthen the behavioral health care workforce.

Lt. Governor Primavera's appointment as Interim Commissioner of the BHA is a testament to her dedication and commitment to improving access to mental and behavioral health care for all Coloradans. With her steady, experienced, and compassionate leadership, she is expected to continue the important work of the BHA while a permanent commissioner is selected.

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