A Timeline of the It Takes A Valley: Transforming Behavioral Health Campaign
This article first appeared in the 2024 Campaign Impact Report >
The Power of Community Collaboration
What began as a bold vision to revolutionize the behavioral health system in the Eagle River Valley has grown into a model that can be replicated by other communities across the U.S. Inspired by Amanda Precourt’s personal testimony and following tragic losses that revealed gaps in local mental health resources, Vail Health initially invested $60 million to establish Eagle Valley Behavioral Health (EVBH).
With plans to create the Precourt Healing Center and significant in-kind support, this commitment grew to $200 million.
This investment highlights Vail Health’s exceptional dedication to addressing behavioral health challenges and supporting regional well-being.
It Takes A Valley: Transforming Behavioral Health, a $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, made possible numerous innovative programs and initiatives across Eagle County and the founding of new nonprofits in the behavioral health space. The campaign’s success demonstrates the power of innovation and community collaboration in developing comprehensive solutions fueled by philanthropy.
This timeline celebrates the extraordinary milestones we’ve achieved together. As we reflect on this journey, we thank everyone who has contributed to this transformative investment.
2019
- ▸Vail Health established Eagle Valley Behavioral Health — EVBH was founded with an initial $60 million commitment approved by the Vail Health Board. It Takes A Valley: Transforming Behavioral Health was launched with a $15 million lead contribution from Jay and Amanda Precourt.
- ▸Therapist Finder became available at EagleValleyBH.org, now VailHealthBH.org
- ▸First Responders led the way — Eagle County first responders were among the first to donate to EVBH when it launched the “First to Respond, First to Give” fundraising campaign, which had a 100% participation goal.
- ▸LONG LIVE marketing campaign launched to help destigmatize seeking mental health support
- ▸Behavioral health integrated into Colorado Mountain Medical — Colorado Mountain Medical, Vail Health‘s team of primary care physicians and specialists, enhanced patient care by incorporating behavioral health services directly into primary care visits, creating seamless access to comprehensive health support.
2020
EVBH distributed $3.16 million in community grants to nonprofit partners.
- ▸Olivia’s Fund launched — EVBH created Olivia’s Fund, a financial assistance program for behavioral health, in memory of Olivia Ortega. The fund is 100% funded by philanthropy.
- ▸Launched Mountain Strong Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Vail Health and other local companies
2021
EVBH distributed $2.95 million in community grants to nonprofit partners.
- ▸Your Hope Center established — Support from Vail Health Foundation and EVBH helped establish a nonprofit providing local crisis response, community stabilization, and school-based clinician services
- ▸BrightHouse opened its doors — Bright Future Foundation, a fundraising partner of Vail Health Foundation, celebrated the opening of BrightHouse, a shelter for domestic abuse victims in Eagle County.
- ▸Community Mental Health Center designation — EVBH achieved a significant milestone by becoming Colorado’s 18th Community Mental Health Center and the first new one in the state since 1989.
- ▸Behavioral Health Case Management services launched — Case managers aim to bridge the gap between those needing care and the resources available in Eagle County.
- ▸Vail Health hired its first psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner
2022
EVBH distributed $3.29 million in community grants to nonprofit partners.
- ▸As the vision grew — particularly with plans to build the Precourt Healing Center — and with significant in-kind support from Vail Health, the behavioral health commitment was increased to $200 million.
- ▸Every public school student in Eagle County gained access to free therapy — Your Hope Center achieved its goal of placing licensed behavioral health clinicians in every public school within the Eagle County School District.
- ▸Precourt Healing Center broke ground — The community celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the 50,000-square-foot Precourt Healing Center at the Edwards Community Health Campus. The campus was designed to serve as a central hub for behavioral health services.
2023
EVBH distributed $3.33 million in community grants to nonprofit partners.
- ▸Wiegers Clinic opened — The Wiegers Clinic opened to patients. Named in recognition of a generous philanthropic investment from the George and Betsy Wiegers Family Foundation, the clinic offers intensive outpatient behavioral health programming, group therapy, specialty psychiatric services, and comprehensive psychological evaluations.
- ▸Vail Health Behavioral Health secured commercial insurance rates for outpatient behavioral health that were on par with outpatient physical health
- ▸The Paradise Paradox film featured Vail Health — Vail Health was prominently featured in The Paradise Paradox, a powerful documentary that explores the growing mental health crisis in mountain communities.
- ▸RECONNECTED established — The RECONNECTED (REcovery. CONNECTion. EDucation.) Foundation was established through support from Vail Health Foundation and EVBH.
- ▸Vail Health announced new Behavioral Health Innovation Center — Launched as a collaboration between Vail Health and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center (BHIC) was made possible by a transformative donation from Mary Sue and Mike Shannon.
- ▸Learning Lab inaugural event — The Vail Health Learning Lab series, funded by Pat and Tony McMunn, launched its first event in August 2023. The session featured Dr. Charles Raison and Dr. Giulio Tononi discussing innovative treatments for depression, including psilocybin, psychedelics, and heat therapy
2024
EVBH distributed $4.51 million in community grants to nonprofit partners.
- ▸CHILL’D Study launched — Screening and enrollment began for the CHILL’D Study (Cold and Heat Investigation to Lower Levels of Depression). This study aims to determine whether a combination of heat therapy followed by cold exposure can serve as a reliable treatment for major depressive disorder.
- ▸Widespread acceptance of insurance and financial aid reached — All 40+ behavioral health providers at Vail Health, including all eight psychiatric specialists, accept insurance. Among local private providers, 93% participate in alternative payment programs, accepting either Olivia’s Fund or the Mountain Strong Employee Assistance Program.
2025
EVBH distributed $835,260 in community grants to nonprofit partners as of April 30, 2025.
- ▸Precourt Healing Center opened — As the only inpatient mental health facility between Denver and Salt Lake City, the Precourt Healing Center has been designed with patient safety and healing in mind. The center opened in May.
- ▸Enrollment began for OPTIMIZE Study — This study examines novel ways to enhance the impact of psilocybin on depression and anxiety via co-administration of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation. Enrollment started in June 2025.
