The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado

When you set up a new monthly donation between Nov. 1 and Dec. 9 on ColoradoGivesDay.org, Colorado Gives Foundation will automatically match your first month’s gift up to $100. Please consider this option.

Every year, children and families in our community face unimaginable loss. Their grief can feel like climbing a mountain, with steep challenges, unexpected storms, and moments when strength is hard to find. Yet, with support, hope returns.

Meet the youngest member of our 2024 Ironhorse Remembrance Ride Team. He and his dad rode 47 miles over mountain passes, through heat, snow, and sleet, in memory of both his birth mom and grandfather. Their ride reflects what grief truly is: difficult, courageous, and possible with support.

And that is why The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado exists.

Montezuma County leads childhood bereavement in Colorado and the United States, with 1 in 6 children projected to lose a parent or sibling to death by the age of 18, the and the rate double for indigenous children. La Plata County is not far behind, with a higher rate than most of the state. (CBEM 2025)

Bereaved people are at an 80% higher risk for suicide, self-harm and substance use. With 12% of our rural and tribal populations living well below the poverty level, our appeal for your support is urgent. 

         

It costs $450/day to send a child to grief camp.

Family grief therapy costs $150 per session.

$1500 will offer a full scholarship for one child to attend summer grief camp or allow us to run one adult support group.

When you set up a new monthly donation between Nov. 1 and Dec. 9 on ColoradoGivesDay.org, Colorado Gives Foundation will automatically match your first month’s gift up to $100. Please consider this option.

           

• We provide grief counseling for more than 200 clients per month 
• 48% of our clients are children, another 16% are their guardians, with 15% of these being grandparents raising grandchildren

Please help us support the well-being of our bereaved community!

Testimonials

           

From our children and teens:

"I realized I am not alone."

"Everyone at camp understands what I am feeling."

"I made my first friend since my mom died."

"I got to tell everyone about my brother. I miss him so much."

And our families:

"No one thinks about the loss of income when a loved passes away. Whether it's a spouse or a grieving parent who has to take a leave of absence, knowing your children can get the help they need is a huge relief".

"They were a calm in a crazy storm".

"Our family will be eternally grateful for The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado."

"Thank you to the Grief Center of SW Colorado, for holding our hearts in your hands, through the journey of grief.” 

“I would like to thank the Grief Center of Southwest Colorado and a big shout out to my therapist who has helped me find my way through grief. She has given me tools and skills to cope with the adversity of my now new lifestyle of physical, emotional and mental pain. I refer to her as my Earth Angel.”         

And the community:

“In our times of tragedy and loss we have a strong relationship with The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado; coming together in times of need.”  -- Durango school counselor

"After the tragic loss of an employee, we reached out to The Grief Center and they were able to send someone to meet with the rest of our staff IMMEDIATELY. They then offered continued support for our entire team for several months -- until it was no longer needed.  We would not have made it through this time cohesively without their ongoing care."