Fort Lyon Program Referrals

Stable Recovery
Residents are encouraged to stay for up to two years to recover and attain health stability. During their stay, residents fully engage in the operations of the campus including food services, facilities maintenance, grounds maintenance, housekeeping and wastewater management in conjunction with daily participation in peer support groups. Local colleges also provide training in computer technology, construction industries, health services, agricultural sciences, and more to interested residents.

Reintegration
Upon completion of the program, residents will be assisted to obtain housing and employment to their community of choice through partnerships with local and state-wide organizations. Qualified graduates may also attain housing subsidies through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to ensure long-term housing stability.

More information on eligibility and admission requirements can be found here. 
A printable flyer for potential residents of Fort Lyon can be downloaded and printed here.

Fort Lyon is part of state and community efforts to repurpose the former Fort Lyon VA Hospital facility to meet the needs of people from across the state. Initial funding to establish and operate the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community was provided by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, through federal, state, local and private sources including commitments from Bent County Office of Economic Development for local transportation.

In addition to Colorado Department of Local Affairs and Bent County Office of Economic Development, partners of the program include:

• Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center 
• Colorado Health Care Policy and Finance Authority 
• Colorado Division of Behavioral Health 
• Lamar Community College 
• Otero Junior College 
• Prowers Medical Center 
• Region Six Alcohol and Drug Abuse Corporation (RESADA) 
• Southeast Health Group 
• Valley Wide Health Systems, Inc.

If you are a homeless service provider or health care provider seeking to refer a candidate to the Fort Lyon program, please contact our Referral Liaison at fortlyonreferrals@coloradocoalition.org or (719) 662-1162.

• Complete the Referral Application Online 

or

• Download the Referral Packet

Fort Lyon Admissions Criteria:

Application must be completed in its entirety including referral source information.
When reviewing applications, the following criteria is used to determine acceptance.

1. Most important: Applicant has a desire to work on recovery.
2. Returning Residents should refer to the Readmission Policy.
3. Homeless or at risk of losing their housing. An example of "at risk" might be someone couch surfing or living with someone that may be asking them to leave due to their SUD.
4. 18 years of age or older.
5. Colorado resident for at least 6 months.
6. Admission cannot be a condition of probation or parole.
7. If on parole or released from lengthy incarceration, there must be a minimum of 6 months of independent living prior to acceptance.
8. Have no open cases. Applicant must have all cases closed prior to coming into the program. We are not able to accept those that are incompetent to stand trial, on bond, or acceptance will be used to modify sentencing or plea agreements.
9. No recent violent charges on background.
10. We struggle with those with arson on their background since housing is our goal. If someone is really advocating and that is the only hold up, we will probably accept.
11. No registered sex offenders.
12. Mental Health Illness or tri-morbid clinical conditions are treatable by Psych/BHP/Medical Staff. Also, non-clinical staff can manage the behavior.

Other important information:

1. It is very important resident arrives with at least thirty supply of all required medications and 30 refill.
2. Detox requirements: Must be safely detoxed from their drug of choice. See detox requirements.
3. We look at mobility issues. We want to welcome everyone, but applicant must understand this is a large campus and elevators may not be operating at times.

Required Documents:

1. Applications completed in its entirety, including referral source signatures.  
2. Completed medical information (included in application) 

Access to Tuberculosis (TB) screening has been a barrier to entry for some people seeking treatment and recovery at our Fort Lyon Residential Community. Due to the hard work of the Fort Lyon team, TB testing is now available for participants upon arrival. 

Print this criteria here.