Mental Health Colorado Awards 2026 Legislators and Advocates of the Year, Continuing Champions Awards

From left:  Senator Rod Pelton, Senator Cleave Simpson, Vice-President of Government Affairs for Mental Health Colorado Wendy Buxton-Andrade (a former Prowers County Commissioner), and Representative Ty Winter at the 2026 Mental Health Colorado awards ceremony

DENVER — On Wednesday, June 10th, Mental Health Colorado honored and celebrated its annual Legislators and Advocates of the Year Awards for the 2026 legislative session. Each year, Mental Health Colorado honors bipartisan lawmakers and advocates for their outstanding commitment to promoting healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans.

“Mental Health Colorado’s work to pass laws, change practices, and build a movement depends on courageous advocates and bipartisan leaders who are willing to champion this work,” said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “This year’s honorees demonstrated extraordinary dedication to improving lives, expanding access to care, reducing health-based discrimination, and ensuring Colorado continues leading the nation in mental health policy.”

 

Mental Health Colorado’s 2026 Legislators and Advocates of the Year

 

Advocate of the Year Awards

Stella Deslongchamp accepting her award

Stella Deslongchamp: Stella led the passage of  Senate Bill 26-060, known as “Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act,” which requires mental health education for youth sports coaches and strengthens awareness around the mental health impacts of concussions. The bill was named in honor of her daughter Alyssa Peterson, a young Colorado athlete who died by suicide following mental health struggles after a concussion.

Emily Peterson: Emily, Alyssa’s sister, also worked with her family to champion the passage of Senate Bill 60, bravely sharing her voice and experience to provide protections for other Colorado athletes.

Dr. Mark Allen:  Owner and Founder of Peak Sports Psychiatry, Dr. Allen has played a key role in researching the long-term mental health effects of concussions on young athletes and laid the foundation for Senate Bill 60.

Montee Ball: The Former Denver Broncos Running Back and College Football Hall of Famer has used his own firsthand experience as an athlete who struggled with mental health challenges after a concussion to help others. He championed Senate Bill 60 to ensure coaches and families can recognize warning signs, speak up early, and connect families to mental health support.

 

Legislator of the Year Awards

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Representative Ty Winter and Senator Rod Pelton represent Southeast Colorado including Prowers County

Representative Ty Winter accepting his award

– Rep. Ty Winter: Rep. Winter was a sponsor of Senate Bill 60. A rancher, small business owner, and Eastern Plains legislator, Rep. Winter played football at Mesa State College and has been a strong advocate for behavioral health access in rural Colorado. He sponsored Senate Bill 23-174 to expand behavioral health services for young Medicaid recipients, helped preserve the Rural Behavioral Health Voucher Program, and co-sponsored Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act to strengthen protections for young athletes.

Senator Pelton accepting his award

– Sen. Rod Pelton: Senator Pelton was a sponsor of Senate Bill 60. A farmer and rancher, Sen. Pelton has helped advance Colorado’s behavioral health transformation efforts for years. Sen. Pelton has sponsored legislation strengthening peer support services, children’s mental health programs, crisis response systems, and rural access to care, and co-sponsored Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act to support the mental health of young athletes.

– Rep. Gretchen Rydin: Rep.Rydin is a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee and sponsored Senate Bill 131, which establishes common-sense guardrails to curb impulsive online sports betting and protect Coloradans from the financial, emotional, and social harms of problem gambling

A licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and addictions counselor, Rep. Rydin brings valuable frontline behavioral health expertise to the Colorado legislature.

During the 2026 legislative session, she sponsored:

• House Bill 26-1063 to improve access to behavioral health transportation services;
• House Bill 26-1195 to establish safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy;
• Senate Bill 26-014, modifying provisions related to the defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity; and
• House Bill 26-1024, raising the age of voluntary relinquishment of a child.

Through her work, Rep. Rydin continues to advance policies that strengthen access to care, protect vulnerable populations, and support Colorado families.

– Rep. Eliza Hamrick: Rep. Hamrick is a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee and a key sponsor of Senate Bill 60. An educator and longtime advocate for Colorado children and families, Rep. Hamrick has championed legislation supporting youth mental health, suicide prevention, and student well-being. Her years of leadership includes Senate Bill 60 Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act, as well as legislation addressing dyslexia screening, bullying prevention, firearm safety education, and behavioral health crisis response.

– Sen. Lindsey Daugherty: Senator Daugherty is a member of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and a sponsor of Senate Bill 60. An attorney who represented abused and neglected children before joining the legislature, Sen. Daugherty has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for Colorado’s children and families. Sen. Daugherty has sponsored legislation strengthening suicide prevention efforts, supporting foster youth, expanding access to care, and protecting the well-being of young people across Colorado. This year, she continued that commitment as a sponsor of Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act.

 

Continuing Champion Award

• Sen. Cleave Simpson: A farmer, business owner, and longtime advocate for rural Colorado, Sen. Simpson has played a leading role in strengthening Colorado’s behavioral health system. His work includes advancing behavioral health workforce development, crisis response reform, secure transportation services, and implementation of the Behavioral Health Administration to improve access to care statewide.

Senator Cleave Simpson accepting his award

The awards recognize individuals who played a critical role during the 2026 legislative session in advancing policies that support mental health, strengthen communities, and improve outcomes for Coloradans and families statewide.

“This year’s champions reflect the bipartisan, community-driven collaboration necessary to create meaningful progress on mental health,” said Atchity. “Their leadership is helping build a Colorado where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

 

ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO: Mental Health Colorado has been a leading voice for mental health advocacy in Colorado since 1953, working to promote healthier minds across the lifespan through public policy, community engagement, and grassroots advocacy. The organization works to expand access to care, end health-based discrimination, disentangle mental health and criminal justice, and support the well-being of children, families, and communities throughout the state.

For more information about Mental Health Colorado and its advocacy work, visit MentalHealthColorado.org.

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