Nine current and former staff members at Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration have alleged that Commissioner Dannette Smith fostered a toxic and chaotic workplace, forcing many to seek other employment. The agency, which opened its doors in 2022 under a mission to streamline mental health and substance use programs, was established following a behavioral health task force commissioned by Governor Jared Polis in 2019. Smith took the helm in February 2024 after five years running the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and workers quickly noticed a shift in workplace culture, describing constant moving goalposts and conflicting priorities.
A November 2024 meeting became the focal point of workplace concerns when Smith, addressing a group of 25 leaders, made a comment referencing “cutting their throats”—which multiple attendees interpreted as a threat. An outside investigation by Investigations Law Group, completed in February and obtained through open records, found Smith did make a comment centered on cutting and bleeding. Though most attendees did not interpret it literally, two witnesses viewed it as job-related retaliation. During the same meeting, Smith told attendees they needed to call her the following morning to state whether they were “in” or “out,” which several witnesses said felt like an implied threat to job security.
Psychological Toll on Mental Health Workers
The investigation concluded that Smith’s comments violated the department’s code of conduct by not being “professional,” “respectful” or “courteous,” though it determined the comment did not communicate a threat of imminent physical harm. The $20,000 investigation found that Smith’s statements “reasonably communicated a threat to employees’ job security.”
Staff described an atmosphere of pervasive fear and paranoia, with Smith frequently concerned about leaks and constantly questioning employees about phone activity. Workers reported increased rates of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks during their tenure. Several said they began medication or sought regular therapy. Former employees described coworkers crying at desks or in cars, and felt relief upon leaving the agency—one stated, “When I go for walks now, I can see the world around me again, like my eyes had been closed for the past few years.”
As The Denver Post was reporting this story, Governor Polis announced Smith’s retirement from the cabinet-level position effective February 27, stating she “was not asked to resign.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.fortmorgantimes.com/2026/02/02/behavioral-health-administration-colorado-dannette-smith-investigation/