GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Western Colorado's only psychiatric hospital will be shutting down.
Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction will close after March 10, the medical center announced on Facebook Monday. Outpatient services will remain open.
The West Springs Hospital has provided inpatient psychiatric care to the Western Slope for 20 years. However, according to a report in The Denver Post, the hospital faced financial issues and struggled to fill the facility's 48 licensed beds.
The board of directors said in the closure announcement, "It is time to take a step back and explore other care models that are more sustainable in today's changing healthcare environment. "
The hospital said that outpatient services on the same main campus as the hospital, like the Withdrawal Management program, would continue serving patients.
The West Springs board of directors said it would evaluate other uses for the hospital building funded by the community. According to the Facebook post, they are looking for options that will still meet the area's healthcare needs.
The Denver Post reported that the facility employs more than 200 people, most of whom will lose their jobs. The hospital said it will contact community partners to help staff find job fairs and openings.
The board said the hospital would help patients transfer medical records and treatment to other inpatient healthcare providers. West Springs also plans to help the community find other resources available in an emergency.
According to the board of directors, the medical center is still part of the Colorado Crisis Services response system. Anyone needing mental health support can call 1-844-493-TALK (8244) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a caregiver.
Denver7's Robert Garrison contributed to this report
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