West Pines breaks new ground in Westminster

Intermountain Health and Acadia Healthcare Company held a groundbreaking ceremony May 31 for West Pines Behavioral Hospital, a new 144-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital serving Denver-area residents. The event occurred on the site of the new hospital at 11455 Huron St. in Westminster and celebrated the previously announced joint venture partnership between Intermountain Health and Acadia Healthcare. 

The new freestanding behavioral health hospital will house 144 beds and expand comprehensive inpatient and intensive outpatient services to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in the Denver-metro area.

City of Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally and other dignitaries and leaders from Intermountain Health and Acadia Healthcare attended the event.

Attendees saw the site of the new hospital and an architectural rendering, which has been purposefully designed to provide state-of-the-art treatment to patients who struggle with acute symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as substance abuse-disorders.

Event speakers discussed its anticipated impact on the community’s need for additional acute and intensive outpatient behavioral health services, and reaffirmed West Pines’ long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, accessible behavioral healthcare in the community. 

“The shortage of mental health resources is a national problem that we also face in Denver,” said Scott Peek, Lutheran president and Front Range Market president for Intermountain Health. “West Pines is in an accessible location that will offer quality treatment programs and build upon its legacy of providing quality behavioral health services to Front Range communities.” 

“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to introduce the new West Pines Behavioral Hospital to this community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Woods, Operations Group President for Acadia Healthcare. “We are so proud to be affiliated with Intermountain Health and to work together to address a rising need in this area. West Pines will be a strong member of the Westminster community, collaborating with all organizations, hospitals and first responders.” 

The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2024. JE Dunn Construction is the general contractor, and Stengel Hill Architecture is the architect.