Bennet, Hickenlooper Welcome Over $600,000 to Prevent Veteran Suicides in Colorado

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper welcomed $642,629 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Colorado suicide prevention services for veterans. The VA awarded two organizations - the Healing Warriors Program in the Eastern Plains and the Front Range and the Valley-Wide Health Systems in Southern Colorado - as part of VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.

"Our country's veterans have sacrificed so much to keep us safe, and we must do more to ensure they have access to the mental health care they've earned," said Bennet. "I'm grateful Colorado will benefit from this investment, which will save lives and expand urgently needed support to veterans nationwide."

"Over six thousand veterans die by suicide each year. We won't stand by as our veterans suffer in silence after serving their country," said Hickenlooper. "These grants will save lives."

Bennet and Hickenlooper are ardent advocates for veterans and their access to care. In 2022, the senators helped pass the PACT Act, the largest-ever expansion in veteran health care. Last year, they cosponsored a resolution to designate Warrior Call Day to encourage Americans to check in with veterans to strengthen support of veteran suicide prevention.