Colorado Mental Institute Leader Resigns

The beleaguered Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, which was told earlier this month that its 449 patients are in "immediate jeopardy" because of staffing issues, is now looking for a new executive director.

Ron Hale submitted his resignation Thursday but said that he would stay on until July 9 to help with the transition.

After failing a June 5 inspection because they couldn't meet staff to patient ratios, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services warned the hospital they were at risk of losing $12 million in federal funding. (For more information on this and other local stories, subscribe to your local Patch for breaking news alerts.)

Since then the hospital has taken several steps including shifting work schedules and imposing mandatory overtime.

Hale started there in January 2015 after having been the administrator of a psychiatric hospital in Alaska.