Maternal mental health conditions remain one of the leading drivers of pregnancy-related complications and deaths in Colorado.

New findings from the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC) reveal both progress and persistent gaps in mental health and postpartum care during the perinatal period.

CPCQC partnered with the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) to analyze more than 170,000 deliveries that occurred in Colorado between 2019-2023—about half of all births in the state—using the Colorado All-Payer Claims Database. The study examined patterns of mental health diagnoses, perinatal mental healthcare use, and postpartum visit attendance from pregnancy through 12 months after delivery.

This Executive Summary distills the key insights from that analysis, highlighting where progress has been made and where opportunities remain to strengthen care.

Key Takeaways

• 1 in 3 Colorado births involved someone with a diagnosed mental health condition, most commonly depression or anxiety.
• 2 in 3 postpartum individuals with a mental health diagnosis did not receive any mental health services during or after pregnancy.
• Only 8% of those with a diagnosed mental health condition completed five or more mental health visits, far below recommended treatment levels.
• 70% attended a routine postpartum visit by 12 weeks, up from 2019—but 30% did not.
• Signs of progress include increased screening, earlier postpartum follow-up, and greater use of mental health services from 2019-2023.

Read the Reports

• 📄 Download the Executive Summary (PDF)
  Developed independently by CPCQC, drawing on analyses conducted by CIVHC.
  
  
• 📘 Access the Full Technical Report (CIVHC) (14 pages)
  Includes detailed methods, definitions, and data tables.

Why It Matters

The weeks after birth are the most vulnerable period for new parents—especially for those with mental health conditions. Suicide remains the leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in Colorado, and all such deaths have been deemed preventable. Ensuring early, sustained, and coordinated postpartum care can save lives and improve the well-being of families statewide.

About the Partners

• Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC): A statewide nonprofit working to improve maternal and infant health through data, collaboration, and quality improvement.
• Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC): A nonprofit organization managing the Colorado All-Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to advance data-driven insights and value-based care.