The Park Hospital District, which operates Estes Park Health, and UCHealth have signed a letter of intent for Estes Park Health to join UCHealth in 2025.
Estes Park Health requested to join the health system to strengthen the health care services currently offered in the Estes Valley, to benefit EPH patients and employees, and to ensure the long-term success of the hospital and its clinics.
“Residents of Estes Valley and Larimer County, and visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park, need high-quality health care close to home. Estes Park Health has been honored to serve this area since 1975, and we recognize the hospital’s future is stronger by joining a Colorado-based health system,” said Vern Carda, Estes Park Health CEO. “Today is a significant milestone in the history of health care in our community. Next year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Estes Park Health, we are hopeful and excited to do so as part of UCHealth.”
UCHealth will continue EPH’s legacy of excellent health care services while investing more than $30 million into the hospital and the Estes Park community in the coming years, helping recruit new staff members and stabilizing Estes Park’s finances. In the LOI, which was signed Oct. 3, 2024, UCHealth also committed to evaluating opportunities to expand access to virtual health programs and behavioral health services.
More than half of EPH’s patients are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or are uninsured. UCHealth, the state’s largest provider of Medicaid, is committed to continuing EPH’s care for patients who may have more difficulty accessing health care.
“UCHealth is honored that Estes Park Health asked to join our system of hospitals and clinics. The solid foundation they have built as their community’s hospital will be strengthened as we work toward similar missions of benefitting the communities we serve and improving the lives of our patients and employees,” said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth’s northern Colorado region. “We look forward to welcoming Estes Park Health’s 320 staff members and providers while providing financial stability for the hospital and additional resources for the Estes Valley.”
EPH has partnered with UCHealth, especially Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies, for decades to provide resources that benefit patients and the community. In 2023, Park Hospital District voters overwhelmingly authorized the district to join a health system with 80.3% support. The district’s revenues will continue to be used locally to support the services and patient care provided in the Estes Valley.
As hospitals across the nation have been challenged in recent years by dramatically increasing expenses, rising uncompensated care and minimal increases in reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid, EPH has been challenged to maintain its services. The hospital has been forced to transfer or reduce obstetrics, home health and hospice services. By joining UCHealth, EPH will be able to strengthen and sustain the health services it currently offers.
“We’re excited for the next chapter and believe this is the right direction for Estes Park Health,” said David Batey, chair of the Estes Park Health Board of Directors. “UCHealth truly invests in its patients, its team members and the communities it serves. UCHealth has stepped up and partnered with us to offer specialty care here in the Estes Valley, and they provided much-needed support during the COVID-19 pandemic and the wildfire in 2020. Health care in Colorado’s mountain communities is important, and joining UCHealth will allow us to ensure the Estes Valley continues to have access to excellent care.”
Over the coming months, UCHealth and EPH will complete their final agreement, with an effective date expected in Spring 2025. UCHealth will share more information with employees and the community during this time, easing the transition and answering their questions.