Colorado Settles $19 Million Lawsuit Over Fatal Shooting of 22-Year-Old Man Suffering From Mental Health Crisis

A settlement was announced Tuesday that will provide $19 million to the parents of a 22-year-old Colorado man who was killed by a sheriff’s deputy while suffering from a mental health crisis. The shooting of Christian Glass in the mountain town of Silver Plume last year drew national attention and prompted calls for reform in how authorities respond to people with mental health issues.

The settlement includes not only the $19 million from the state and local governments, but also changes to how officers are trained. Clear Creek County will establish a crisis response team and its sheriff’s office will train and certify all deputies in crisis intervention, according to documents released by the Glass attorneys.

The settlement is seen as a victory for the Glass family, who have been advocating for better mental health services and training for law enforcement officers. “We are hopeful that this settlement will bring some measure of justice and closure to the Glass family,” said attorney Mari Newman.

The settlement is also seen as a step forward in the effort to reform how authorities respond to people with mental health issues. “We are hopeful that this settlement will bring about meaningful change in the way law enforcement officers are trained to respond to people in crisis,” said attorney David Lane.

The settlement is a reminder of the need to ensure that law enforcement officers are properly trained to respond to people with mental health issues. It is also a victory for the Glass family, who have been advocating for better mental health services and training for law enforcement officers.