2026 Mental Health in the Mountains

Join us for an open, community-driven conversation about mental health in mountain communities. This event brings together local therapists, community members, and regional experts to share lived experiences, helpful resources, and pathways toward balance while living and working in the mountains. Presenters: Mandy Miller, MA, LPC & Cole Cooper, Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council.

This event has been made possible with the generous support of Tri-County Health Network and Jagged Edge Mountain Gear.

Event Details

Date: January 26, 2026
Location: Telluride Science and Innovation Center
Doors Open: 6:00 PM (opening activity, dinner and time to connect with regional mental health resources)
Presentation: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

The evening will include:

• An interactive presentation facilitated by Licensed Professional Counselor, Mandy Miller and Cole Cooper, consultant with the Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council.
• A panel discussion exploring the balance of work, life and play in mountain towns, featuring local community members.
• Opportunities to connect with regional mental health resources.
• Dinner and non-alcoholic beverages.

We're honored to come together as a community to address the unique mental health challenges of mountain living. Whether you're attending to better understand yourself, support a loved one of contribute to the conversation, your presence makes a difference. We can't wait to see you there!

Read more about the presenters below:

Mandy Miller is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience practicing mental health in a wide range of settings such as inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, correctional facilities, and schools. A 6th generation Colorado native, she joined the Telluride community 10 years ago to serve as Executive Director at San Miguel Resource Center. She is now in private practice as a psychotherapist serving youth and adults, and also provides management consulting to several local organizations. She served as the president for the Board of Directors at The Center for Mental Health, our region's community mental health center. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors for Telluride Foundation and helped develop the counseling department at the Telluride School District. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Axis Health Systems, the San Miguel Behavioral Health Solutions Panel, the Telluride Women’s Network, the San Miguel Behavioral Health Collaborative, the Suicide Prevention/Awareness/Recovery Coalition, and the Key Leaders board for the Telluride Communities that Care Youth Initiative. She loves our community and believes we are stronger when we work together. She is committed to expanding and enhancing mental health services in our community. For her own mental wellness, Mandy enjoys peak bagging, Main Street bench sitting, mediocre snowboarding, and a proper cup of tea.

Cole Cooper holds a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science with a focus on rural community health. He serves as Principal of Desert Spring Health Consulting, where he collaboratively advances health-care equity initiatives across rural Colorado. As a consultant, he co-facilitates the Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council (SWCORC), supporting cross-county efforts addressing substance use through prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support. In addition, Cole is a professor at Western Colorado University, where he teaches self-designed upper-level sociology courses, including Depressions, Addictions, and Community Health. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and participating in community potlucks