Opioid Fatality and Suicide Crisis Drives Colorado's Construction Leaders To Unite At Summit

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Golden, Colorado. Everyday construction workers across Colorado, fight a silent battle. Substance use disorder and suicide.

The American Subcontractors Association of Colorado (ASAC) will be holding their first annual summit on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Police Protection Agency Event Center, 2105 Decatur Street, Denver, Colorado 80211. The summit will be held from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The summit entitled; “2025 ASAC Health & Safety Summit” is a full-day, statewide gathering, focused on mental health, safety, and leadership in the construction industry. Available for interviews will be leaders willing to share personal life experience with mental health, substance misuse (alcohol and opioids), suicide, overdose and recovery stories. The media is encouraged to attend. 

Keynote speaker Cal Beyer states, “Construction has among the highest suicide rates of all industries. Fifty-six suicides for every 100,000 workers, the trades have up to seventy-eight suicides for every 100,000 workers. To covey that against the national average of fourteen suicides for every 100,00 people in the general population, you see the numbers are staggering in the construction and trades industries. This is 5500 suicides a year in the construction industry.”

The purpose of the 2025 ASAC Health & Safety Summit is to provide tools that help attendees take action and save lives; connecting leaders and equipping the industry with solutions that support long-term well-being.

Nick Williams, CEO of ASAC says, “I have a strong passion to enhance and save lives in the construction industry that is so significant in Colorado and essential to our state’s continued growth. But there are critical mental health and safety problems and it needs to be addressed. The construction industry consists of dedicated people and they deserve support. We want to provide that support.”

The ASAC has partnered with six other trade associations to host the summit; Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM), Colorado Contractors Association (CCA), Rocky Mountain Steel Construction Association (RMSCA), Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC), National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and Associated General Contractors Colorado (AGC).

Keynote Cal Beyer of SAFE Project and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser join industry leaders for breakout sessions focused on mental health and conducted by industry professionals committed to healthier and safer work environments. 

Leaders in the construction and trades industry, mental health, law enforcement, and safety professionals who are in positions to significantly influence workplace culture in the construction and trades industries, as well as students soon to enter the workforce are encouraged to attend and participate. 

Cost is $195 for ASAC members and $295 for non-ASAC members, student discounts are available. For more information contact Nick Williams at 303-437-8635 or nwilliams@asacolorado.com. To register, visit the Summit’s website at https://asacolorado.com/event-calendar/#!event/2025/11/14/annual-health-and-safety-summit