Suicide Prevention Commission

Suicide Prevention Commission

• Agency/Organization: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Office of Suicide Prevention

• Region: Statewide

• Issue Area: Mental Health/Suicide Prevention

• Mission Statement: The Colorado Suicide Prevention Commission (Commission) was created in 2014 (per C.R.S. §25-1.5-111) to provide collaborative leadership for suicide prevention efforts. HB 24-1252 continues the Commission for another 10 years. The Commission makes data-driven and evidence-based recommendations for Colorado and serves in an advisory capacity to set priorities for the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP). Housed in the Prevention Services Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) is designated the lead entity for suicide prevention efforts in the state. OSP's mission is to serve as the lead entity for suicide prevention, intervention supports, and postvention efforts in Colorado, collaborating with communities statewide to reduce the impact of suicide. Commission recommendations serve to improve Colorado’s suicide prevention partnerships, initiatives, and alignment between public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The OSP provides updates regarding the Commission’s work and impact in its annual legislative report released in November.

• Membership Criteria:

  • The Commission membership must be in accordance to statute and consist of no more than twenty-two (22) statutorily mandated seats and represents Coloradans with lived experience, state and local agencies, and those who come from communities and sectors that experience disproportionate impacts of suicide. Members who shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

• Time Commitment:

  • Commit to serve a minimum of one, two-year term on the Commission, renewable up to one additional two-year term.

  • Attend Commission meetings (approximately 4 per year), most to be held virtually. One meeting per year may be held in-person within the Denver-metro area.

  • Actively participate in meetings in person, or via teleconferencing or web-conferencing. 

  • Represent the Commission and communicate with your community/constituency regarding Commission activities and priorities. 

  • Represent the views of your agency and/or community at Commission meetings. 

  • Adhere to any bylaws proposed by the co-chairs, Commission, or Office of Suicide Prevention/Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

• Compensation: Members shall serve without compensation; except that the members may seek reimbursement for travel expenses to and from meetings of the Commission. 

• Contact Information: 

  • Website

  • Application

  • Email: Seth Tyra - Seth.Tyra@state.co.us