The state psychiatric hospital notified 41 nurses and medical personnel that their positions will be eliminated once the medical unit closes in November.
The Colorado Mental Health Institute of Pueblo’s medical unit, which serves psychiatric patients at the hospital, is being closed as a cost-saving measure, hospital spokeswoman Eunice Wolther said.
The action will save $3.1 million a year, Wolther said.
Part of the reason for the closure is that the unit has been underused, she said. Many of the nurses, security officers and medical employees will be offered other positions at the hospital, Wolther said.
In some cases, the medical center has not filled open positions, knowing that the facility was about to close.
Some of the nurses and medical staff will retire,Wolther said.
“We’re hopeful that most of them will have a job,” she said.
