Gazette Editorial:
Let’s support true rehab
Step is not a political organization, nor do we carry political views, as we believe these are human values that people across the political spectrum care about. Step was honored to receive this strong endorsement (below) from the Gazette Editorial Board. The following is an opinion piece published on July 25, 2025 in the lead up to the launch of Step Springs.
Colorado Springs should enthusiastically celebrate the arrival of Step Springs, a 50-bed rehabilitation center for addicted men, set to open in October in the city. Modeled after the transformative Step Denver program, Step Springs promises to be a lifeline for men battling substance abuse, offering a proven path to sobriety, employment and stable housing.
We commend community leader Steve Schuck, alongside major funders such as the El Pomar Foundation, Adolph Coors Foundation, Anschutz Foundation, Daniels Fund, Colorado Springs Health Foundation and Dakota Foundation.
Step Denver, formerly Step 13, has been a cornerstone of recovery in Denver for 42 years, serving men who are homeless or at risk with its rigorous, accountability-driven program. Its four-pillar approach — sobriety, life skills, career counseling and behavioral change — sets it apart from traditional models that might coddle rather than challenge.
With feckless, one-party, far-left leadership decriminalizing drugs and deemphasizing addiction treatment, Step Denver and Step Springs never have been needed more.
The results speak for themselves: a 2023 survey of Step Denver graduates showed 88% remained sober, 90% were employed and 91% had stable housing a year post-program.
With a 30% dropout rate, the program demands commitment but rewards those who persevere with life-altering outcomes. Step Springs, a near-replica with 50 beds, is poised to carry on this success in Colorado Springs, where an estimated 70% of homeless men struggle with addiction.
The $6.5 million project, including a $2.3 million property acquisition and extensive renovations, transforms a 55-year-old office building into a modern recovery hub. Paul Scudo, CEO of Step, emphasizes the program’s no-cost entry, requiring only a genuine desire to get sober. Clients progress from communal living to private rooms as they achieve milestones, paying modest fees once employed — a process that averages 30 to 45 days.
This structure fosters accountability, turning participants into productive community members and family leaders. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates 48.5 million Americans have a substance use disorder, underscoring the urgent need for such programs.
Additionally, a 2023 WalletHub study ranked Colorado fifth overall for drug abuse among states, considering 20 metrics such as drug use, overdose rates, opioid prescriptions and law enforcement actions.
Step Springs’ arrival responds to a clarion call from Colorado Springs leaders, too many to list, whose vision and advocacy catalyzed this expansion.
Local partners such as Serenity Recovery Connection and Springs Rescue Mission are eager to collaborate, with Liani Murphy and Scott Jessop praising Step Springs’ potential to fill gaps in men’s recovery services. The program’s focus on immediate admissions, without waitlists, ensures timely intervention — critical for those ready to commit to sobriety. By serving men from El Paso, Pueblo and Fremont counties, Step Springs will extend its impact regionally.
Step Denver’s success is not just in numbers but in lives transformed — families reunited, careers rebuilt and hope restored. Step Springs promises the same for Colorado Springs, offering a structured, no-nonsense approach that respects the dignity of its clients by demanding their best.
We applaud all involved for planting this seed of hope. As the ribbon-cutting nears on Sept. 16, we urge our community to rally behind Step Springs, ensuring it thrives as a beacon of recovery and renewal.