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Colorado Department of Human Services

Problem Gambling

 

Introduction


House Bill 08-1314 was passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 2008 in order to provide resources to support prevention, education, and counseling to Colorado residents with problem gambling issues. It also provides for counselor training specific to problem gambling in order to build a workforce able to deliver these services. The Office of Behavioral Health (Division) within the Department of Human Services is responsible for administering this program.

 

 

Implementation


The Office determined that the most efficient and effective method to achieve the legislative intent with the limited funds available was to partially subcontract a portion of the administration of the program. The contract was awarded to the Center of Excellence for problem gambling at the University of Denver through a competitive bid process.  The Center of Excellence provides services such as education and treatment of problem gamblers and those affected by someone else’s problem gambling, training and supervision of problem gambling counselors, as well as gathering, analyzing, and publishing research regarding the effectiveness of the programs.

 

 

Community Education, Prevention and Outreach

 

  • The Center of Excellence offers a one-day free conference on problem gambling each year in addition to other efforts to raise awareness of problem gambling issues within the state.
  • The Division currently works with an existing statewide network of prevention providers to facilitate problem gambling prevention efforts.

 

 

Training & Supervision

 

  • The Center of Excellence has developed 30 hours of online core training for counselors available at no charge.
  • The Center of Excellence offers one hour of clinical supervision per week for counselors-in-training that is specific to problem gambling, also available at no charge to Colorado residents.
  • For information about counselor training or treatment services: https://portfolio.du.edu/pc/port?portfolio=pgtrc

 

 

Treatment

 

  • The Center of Excellence offers treatment at no cost or low cost to Colorado residents through the Problem Gambling Research and Treatment Center (PGRTC) located at the University of Denver.

 

 

Advisory Council


The Office has held several public comment meetings and has established an Advisory Council that meets quarterly.  The Division remains committed to working with stakeholders to address the service needs of consumers with problem gambling issues.

 

 

Last Updated: 11/1/2010


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