988 Colorado Mental Health Line Marks One Year of Impact

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988 Colorado Mental Health Line Marks One Year of Impact

The state’s primary resource for crisis support and services experiences positive growth in awareness and utilization

DENVER: This month marks the one-year anniversary of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988 Colorado), the state’s primary crisis and mental health line, and its statewide push to increase awareness of the free service. A survey of people in Colorado indicates an 80 percent increase in awareness of 988 Colorado as a mental health resource.

988 Colorado is the easy-to-remember number that allows anyone concerned about an emotional, mental health, or substance use concern to be immediately connected with a trained specialist for free, confidential support via call, text and chat.

In July 2024, 988 Colorado launched a new website, logo and name as part of a statewide public awareness campaign. The effort, supported by community outreach, grassroots engagement, materials distribution, media relations and advertising, serves to better connect those in need to immediate support.

Year 1 Impact: 988 Colorado Awareness and Utilization

Increased awareness of 988 Colorado as a mental health resource: 80 percent increase in awareness of 988 Colorado from July 2024 to January 2025 (Sources: Corona Research)

Increased confidence in 988 Colorado as a reliable mental health resource: 28 percent increase of repeat callers to 988 Colorado from September 2024 to May 2025 (Source: 988 Colorado Dashboard, Engagement Information, September 2024 to present)

Increased preference for call feature for support: 15 percent increase in total calls to 988 Colorado from July 2024 – May 2025 (Source: 988 Colorado Dashboard, Engagement by Source, Historic Data)

Increased marketing campaign reach: To date, the marketing campaign has garnered 684 million impressions through paid media, earned media coverage, social media, and website traffic.

“The growth demonstrates the success of our efforts to help ensure people in Colorado know about the free and immediate resources available to them,” said 988 Colorado Director Gordon Coombes. “The one-year anniversary provides the perfect moment to take a look at the usage to see where we are making in-roads, to understand how people are using the service, and how we can improve awareness and enhance our service to meet the needs of all people of Colorado. We’re committed to listening and learning as we continue building on this promising foundation.”

Over the past 12 months, 988 Colorado received 93,834 calls, 16,383 texts, and 9,225 live chats. Of these, 83,718 calls (89 percent), 14,188 texts (87 percent), and 8,340 chats (90 percent) were identified as crisis-related and answered by trained specialists. The top five reasons for contacting 988 were anxiety, social concerns, self-harm or suicidal thoughts, depression, and substance use. Most interactions were successfully de-escalated by trained crisis care specialists. The majority of contacts came from individuals aged 26–39, with men being the most frequent callers, and most reaching out on their own behalf. Answer rates and speed to answer times both exceed benchmarks set for 988 and are on par with national averages.

From September 2024 to May 2025, after the new 988 call center launched, the average call answer rate within 15 seconds consistently exceeded the 92 percent goal, with speed to answer improving to under 15 seconds by April 2025.

Among callers who completed a satisfaction survey, about 75 percent reported that they would recommend 988, felt staff were culturally sensitive, able to meet their needs, compassionate, and treated them with dignity and respect.

What’s Next for 988 Colorado

Continued Streamlining of 988 Colorado and Colorado Crisis Services: Effective July 1, 2025, the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988 Colorado) became the state’s primary crisis and mental health line in alignment with national efforts, providing immediate support and services. Colorado legislation (SB25-236) combined 988 Colorado and Colorado Crisis Services (CCS). Those who call or text CCS are immediately connected to 988 Colorado.

Continued Education of 988 Colorado for Colorado Youth: Under House Bill 22-1052, Colorado schools ensure all students and families have access to 988 Colorado and Safe2Tell contact information via ID cards, campus displays or take-home resources. This update will be effective for the upcoming school year, 2025-2026.

988 Colorado will be rolling out a youth-focused version of its public awareness campaign this fall, informed by research with Colorado youth.

Continued Awareness Building of 988 Colorado through Community Engagement: This month, 988 Colorado is launching 988 Colorado Radio, a soothing YouTube live that will play on a loop for free. In partnership with the Colorado Rockies and AEG Presents: Rocky Mountains, 988 Colorado will bring the new 988 Colorado Radio to life as a soothing lounge at pop-up events in the Denver area this summer.

About the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line

The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988 Colorado) is the easy-to-remember three-digit number that allows anyone concerned about an emotional, mental health, or substance use concern to be immediately connected with a trained specialist who will listen without judgement. 988 is free, confidential and available 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 or visit 988Colorado.com to live chat.

About the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise

In preparation for the launch of 988 in Colorado, Senate Bill 21-154 established the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise in the Department to:

• Impose a 988 surcharge and a prepaid wireless 988 charge;

• Fund the 988 crisis hotline;

• Work with third parties to provide crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care;

• Authorize and issue revenue bonds payable from the newly created 988 Crisis Hotline Cash Fund; and

• Adopt, amend, or repeal policies to regulate its affairs.

The enterprise is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor.