The Ag Behavioral Health Working Group approved minutes from its prior meeting, agreed to hold its November meeting in conjunction with an Ag Behavioral Health Summit in Monte Vista and discussed a proposed amendment to the group charter that would allow the commissioner of agriculture to replace appointed members who miss meetings without providing a designated alternate.

Chair Clinton Wilson and Colorado Department of Agriculture staff outlined the upcoming schedule: the working group’s regular October meeting remains set for Oct. 28; the November meeting will be held on Nov. 13 immediately before the Monte Vista summit; and the December meeting was proposed for Dec. 16 (moved earlier to avoid holiday scheduling). The group also opened the application process for new members to fill vacancies created by recent departures.

Robert Sikata of the Colorado Department of Agriculture introduced a proposed change to the working-group charter to address repeated absenteeism. The suggested language would allow “the commissioner of agriculture or their designee at their discretion [to] replace any appointed work group member who has more than four absences per calendar year where they did not arrange for a designated alternate,” Sikata said. Members discussed the proposal without voting; staff said the proposal will be circulated by email for broader comment and returned to the full group at the next meeting.

Subcommittees reported progress: Chad Reznicek said the literature review and data‑outcomes work will move into writing in October and that the subgroup plans in-depth interviews to supplement producer surveys; MJ Guzman and others noted interview scheduling is underway. The outreach subcommittee reported plans for summit publicity including press releases, targeted newsletters (Farm Bureau, AgrAbility, RMFU), and invitations to journalists to increase media coverage. Members noted that provider lists in some rural areas are sparse and encouraged targeted outreach.

The group discussed resourcing and participation. Several unpaid members raised concerns about travel and time burdens; staff representatives confirmed there are funds available to reimburse travel and lodging (over 50 miles) for working-group members who do not have sponsoring-organization funding. Members asked staff to circulate reimbursement instructions and contact details.

The meeting concluded with a call for participation in the Monte Vista summit and a reminder that several funding and contact items shared earlier in the meeting (by AG staff) would be distributed in chat and follow-up emails.

Ending: The working group will circulate the proposed attendance‑policy language and travel‑reimbursement instructions by email, will accept new member applications ahead of the October meeting, and will reconvene at the Monte Vista summit on Nov. 13 to continue planning and table-topic discussions.