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Children's Hospital Colorado saw pediatric ER visits involving mental health concerns jump about 65% from 2019 to 2025, and the number could climb even higher this year, hospital officials tell us.

Why it matters: The surge comes as Colorado records some of the highest suicide rates among children and young adults in the country.

By the numbers: Children's Hospital projects roughly 7,300 mental health-related ER visits among patients 18 and younger this year across its four campuses, child psychiatrist Beau Carubia tells Axios.

• That would be a roughly 74% increase from 2019.
• Inpatient psychiatric admissions — typically reserved for some of the most serious cases — increased 50% between 2019 and 2025, Carubia says.

"Those are the children who have an imminent risk to themselves, to others, or some kind of safety concern where they are not safe to go home," Carubia adds.

Zoom in: It's difficult to pinpoint root causes, but Carubia says inadequate access to treatment is a major concern.

• ER staff can assess patients and connect them with additional mental health services.
• Limited treatment availability, insurance barriers or unaffordable care can leave some young people without ongoing treatment, potentially returning them to the ER.

Yes, but: Getting health insurers to cover behavioral health services can be difficult in Colorado, Carubia says.

• A state law that took effect this year aims to address the problem.

What's next: Colorado could get nearly $615 million from the landmark Meta settlement stemming from allegations that the company's platforms harmed children.

• "The funding will make a positive difference for youth mental health," Gov. Polis said in an August statement.
• Carubia says he hopes some of the money can help expand treatment options for young people.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The hotline is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Ayuda disponible en español.

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Axios Social Club is bringing readers together for dinner in the Highlands next Tuesday.

Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven't met yet.

• Let's change that.

How it works: Take a quiz, reserve a seat and we'll match you with five surprise guests at a surprise restaurant.

• Come solo or bring a friend.
• Afterward, you'll all meet for an after-party.

By the numbers: More than 1,200 Axios readers nationwide are digging in.

Details: Dinner starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15.99 per person, with food and drinks purchased separately.

Save your seat

💦 Lawn watering is prohibited in Denver starting tomorrow as part of Denver Water's Stage 1 drought resolution. (9News)

• But thankfully ... Denver expects about 1.4 inches of rain as the remnants of Hurricane Polo hit this week. (Denver Post 🔑)

🐻 Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes the same bear broke into at least 20 garages in the Ken Caryl neighborhood in recent weeks, some more than once. (CBS Colorado)

⚡️ The average outage per Xcel Energy customer in the first half of 2026 was 89 minutes — raising alarms among regulators. (Colorado Sun)

It's time to dust off those cowboy boots: the stock show's a-coming.

Why it matters: After record-shattering attendance this year, organizers are encouraging people to snatch up tic cakets sooner than later.

State of play: Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the 2027 National Western Stock Show, an annual extravaganza that harkens back to Denver's cowtown past.

• The stock show will feature 45 ticketed events, including rodeos, livestock and horse shows, plus other family-friendly programming.

Context: The grand event opened its new headquarters in the National Western Campus in northeast Denver last year. The new digs include the Legacy, a four-story building boasting a Western-style saloon and art gallery.

If you go: The stock show runs Jan. 9–24. Admission starts at $24 for adults.

• A season pass for all 16 days starts at $85.

Send to a cowpoke

🤞 John is navigating two of the nation's busiest airports — Atlanta and Denver. Wish me luck.

💕 Alayna is happy to be home.

🫔 Esteban is loving the chiles rellenos from Superica.

Thanks to our editor, Gigi Sukin.