El Paso County Public Health Steps Down From Youth Suicide Prevention Leadership
El Paso County Public Health is ending its 10-year leadership role in community youth suicide prevention efforts in the Colorado Springs-Pueblo region. The agency cited budget restructuring and the conclusion of pandemic-era grants for the decision, which comes as the…
Colorado Springs Pueblo, CO, October 11, 2026 — El Paso County Public Health has announced it will conclude its 10-year tenure leading community youth suicide prevention initiatives across the Colorado Springs-Pueblo region. The agency’s decision to step down from this leadership role has been attributed to internal budget restructuring and the expiration of pandemic-era grants that previously supported these efforts.
The transition comes at a critical juncture, as El Paso County reported a significant increase in youth suicides during the past year. This rise in incidents has amplified concerns among community partners who rely on the established framework and leadership provided by the public health department.
Details regarding the specific organizations that will assume responsibility for continuing these vital prevention efforts, or how the transition will be managed logistically, were not immediately available. Community partners have expressed apprehension regarding the capacity of other entities to fully sustain the comprehensive work undertaken over the last decade.
The program, which has been in place for a decade, aimed to address and mitigate the factors contributing to youth suicide within the region. The conclusion of its leadership by El Paso County Public Health marks a significant shift in the landscape of local mental health and prevention services for young people.
Story summarized from the original created by Debbie Kelley on gazette.com, see more information here.
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