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Suicide in Colorado

Information is from a study done by The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention

Introduction | Suicide in Colorado | Suicide in College | Suicide Prevention | Warning Signs |General Statistics | Risk Factors | Myths | News and Events | Resources | Active Minds Forum

The impact of suicide in Colorado is prevalent. One teen or youth commits suicide in Colorado a week. Stastics have shown consistently that Colorado is in the top 15 in suicide rates in the United States and near the top of the list in the western states. In 1998 Colorado's suicide death rate was ranked 12th. In 1999, the suicide death rate was 14.4 per 100,000, which was 36% higher than the national average of 10.6.

In March 2001, The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention compiled this information about suicide in Colorado. As the ninth leading cause in the state it was an important topic to study further.

Risk for Suicide by Group

In Colorado the largest amount of suicides occur in men ages 35-44. From 1991-2000, 18 percent of all suicide deaths in Colorado were in this category, which represented an average of 110 deaths per year. Women in this same age group only accounted for 5 percent of all suicide deaths.

Youth and Young Adults

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among children, teenagers and yound adults. Boys are more likely to complete suicide, girls think about suicide and make plans more often. Girls are also more likely to be hospitalized for a suicide attempt.

Racial and Ethnic Differences

The highest rates for suicide deaths in Colorado is among whites 17.8 per 100,000. In comparison the rates for Hispanics (11.9), African-Americans (9.1), Native Americans(10.3), and Asians (8.0) is much lower. Between 1991 and 2000 out of 6,225 suicides, 86 percent were white, 9 percent were Hispanic, 2 percent were African-Americans and less than 1 percennt were Native Americans and Asians.

Counties at High Risk for Suicide Deaths

Counties with the largest reported suicide deaths include urban metropolitan Denver, including Adams, Araphoe, Douglas and Jefferson, which report 53-94 suicides every year. El Paso County reports about 70 suicide deaths each year. Boulder, Larimer, Mesa and Pueblo report 21-43 suicides.

Counties at High Risk for Suicide Attempts

The counties with the highest risks for suicide attempts tend to be in the southern part of the state, particulary in the San Luis Vallye. Other areas at risk are on the Western Slope in Mesa, Delta and Dolores counties. High attempt areas were also found in Denver County, with lower scores for counties surrounding Denver, including Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson and Douglas.

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