Vail opens first mountain-region mental health facility

EDWARDS, Colo. (May 23, 2025) — Community leaders, health professionals and construction partners gathered May 16 to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Vail Precourt Healing Center, the first dedicated inpatient behavioral health facility in Colorado’s mountain region.

Developed by Vail Health and built by Haselden Construction, the 50,000-square-foot center in Edwards represents a critical step forward in addressing a longstanding care gap in Western Colorado, said the company.

“We are the only psychiatric facility between Salt Lake City and Denver,” said Chris Lindley, executive director of Vail Health. “That fact alone speaks to the critical need. This center brings hope and healing to individuals and families who have waited far too long for accessible behavioral health services.”

The center includes 28 inpatient beds, split evenly between adults and adolescents ages 12 and up, bilingual services, age-specific units, outdoor therapy spaces, and a calming, recovery-oriented design. It began admitting patients earlier this spring and has already drawn referrals from as far away as Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Haselden Construction, which broke ground on the project in September 2022, faced formidable challenges, including record snowfall, permitting delays and unexpected foundational issues. Yet the project remained on schedule thanks to what CEO and President Byron Haselden described as “exceptional collaboration and commitment.”

“This facility is a game changer not just for the Vail Valley, but for the larger conversation around mental health, especially in construction, where mental illness is far too common,” Haselden said. “We’re proud to help build a place where healing is possible.”

The Vail Precourt Healing Center is designed to address the so-called “paradise paradox,” a phenomenon in which picturesque mountain towns often experience elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Until now, residents in Eagle County and neighboring areas often had to travel hours to Denver or Grand Junction for inpatient care.

Inside the facility, large windows offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, while state-of-the-art safety technologies, exercise and recreation rooms and natural light support a holistic approach to recovery.

As demand for behavioral health services continues to grow nationwide, the Vail Precourt Healing Center offers a new model, one that combines advanced clinical care with thoughtful infrastructure and community investment.