Douglas County and Children's Hospital Colorado celebrated a $3.4 million investment this week in a new pediatric mental health emergency unit at the hospital's South Campus in Highlands Ranch, expected to open in 2027.
What's being built
The unit will occupy existing space adjacent to the South Campus emergency department. Planned features include a pediatric mental health emergency unit, crisis stabilization services for short-term assessment and care while providers decide next steps, dedicated treatment and de-escalation rooms, nursing and supervision stations, and spaces for providers to meet with families. The goal, per the county, is to reduce barriers to care and help families get support before a crisis worsens or requires inpatient hospitalization.
Where the money comes from
The $3.4 million investment comes from opioid settlement funds, administered by the Douglas County Opioid Council. Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon, who chairs the Opioid Council, helped advance the investment and identified the site.
"No family should have to navigate a child's mental health crisis alone," Laydon said.
Dr. Ron-Li Liaw, Children's Hospital Colorado's Mental Health in-Chief, said: "No single entity can solve the youth mental health crisis alone."
Who else is involved
Hospital leaders, donors and community philanthropic partners are backing the project, including the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, which accepts donations for youth mental health programming.
Timeline
The space is expected to open in 2027.
Related coverage
This is the latest Douglas County opioid settlement investment in youth services; see our coverage of the county's $1.45 million in opioid settlement awards for youth prevention and recovery providers and the Pathway to Hope Fund's mental health scholarships. For the hospital's other recent Highlands Ranch expansion, see our coverage of the Children's Hospital Colorado Ortho and Sports Medicine Center.
Sources: Douglas County, "More help, closer to home: Douglas County celebrates investment in youth mental health care", posted Nov. 6, 2026, checked Nov. 7, 2026.