Governor Polis Issues Executive Order Expanding the Competency Task Force

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis issued an Executive Order amending a previous Executive Order to expand the Competency Task Force. The new Executive Order will add two new voting members to the Competency Task Force to be appointed by September 10, 2026. In addition, the amendment will require the Colorado Department of Human Services to consult with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to identify and discuss solutions for challenges the Tribes or their members face when interacting with the state competency system.

"New additions to this Task Force will further increase public safety and improve access to care for low-level non-violent offenders. I was proud to sign SB26-149 - Pathways for Individuals with Mental Health Disorder on May 21, 2026, which updates our competency laws to ensure that those who have been found incompetent and unrestorable and pose a serious risk to themselves or others are provided support, not released into the community," said Governor Polis.

The task force includes representatives from:

• Department of Human Services;
• Behavioral Health Administration;
• Health Care Policy and Financing;
• Department of Local Affairs;
• Department of Public Safety;
• Bridges of Colorado;
• State Court Administrator's Office;
• Colorado Judicial Branch;
• Bicameral and bipartisan representation from the Colorado General Assembly;
• Colorado Office of the State Public Defender;
• Colorado District Attorney's Offices, and county attorney's offices; and
• The disability, behavioral health, and victim communities, including a victim of a crime perpetrated by someone who has been found incompetent to stand trial.

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