Governor Polis, Legislators, and Higher Education Leaders Announce Funding Plan for New Medical School, additional healthcare training
Investing in Colorado’s students to create a strong healthcare workforce and provide Coloradans the high-quality care they deserve, 59 of Colorado’s 64 counties currently experience primary care health professional shortages
DENVER- Today at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Governor Polis, Representative Mary Young, Representative Lindsay Daughtery, Senator Kyle Mullica and Barbara Kirkmeyer, Colorado State University System [CSU] Chancellor Dr. Troy Frank, Metropolitan State University of Denver [MSU Denver] President Janinie Davidson, University of Northern Colorado [UNC], President Andy Feinstein, Trinidad State College President, Dr. Rhonda Epper and Colorado Community College System Counsellor Joe Garcia announced a new action to address Colorado's Healthcare worker shortage, through a new investment in Colorado's world-class higher education institutions to strengthen Colorado's healthcare workforce, creating Colorado's third medical school.
“With this plan, Colorado will train more world-class doctors, nurses, veterinarians, and other health professionals to provide Coloradans with the care they need. From Denver to Fort Collins, Greeley, and Trinidad, these new opportunities will attract students from Colorado and across the country to our communities. This will positively impact the local economy and ensure Colorado has the strong healthcare workforce needed to provide care to Coloradans today and in the future,” said Governor Polis. “The UNC Medical school we are announcing the funding plan for today will graduate upwards of 150 new doctors each year to help keep us healthy. I thank our university presidents and state lawmakers for their partnership on this exciting initiative."
“I commend our Governor, legislators and higher education leaders for coming together to create additional opportunities for Coloradans to explore new careers in healthcare,” said Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. “By fostering opportunities for discovery and innovation in higher education, we pave the way for groundbreaking advancements that have the power to transform healthcare and improve countless lives."
“As the only working nurse at the Colorado State Capitol, I know how critical it is to build the future health care workforce our state needs. I am proud to champion this bill that will invest in four institutions committed to addressing the state's health care challenges, and look forward to ensuring that every Coloradan is able to access the care they need to thrive,” said Senator Kyle Mullica.
“Our institutions of higher education are the economic engines for the state. This bill invests in our institutions to continue this work and specifically target our rural areas of the state most in need of additional healthcare and veterinary care professionals,” Senator Barb Kirkmeyer.
“As Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I recognize the pressing needs of our healthcare community. This legislation will invest not just by increasing physician capacity but also growing the 16 professionals that surround and support the physician in caring for patients throughout the state, as well as our future workforce in veterinary medicine,” said Representative Lindsey Daugherty.
“As a proud representative and alumni of the University of Northern Colorado, I am honored to carry this bill that will facilitate the financing of the college of osteopathic medicine at UNC. The college, along with the three other projects at CSU, MSU Denver, and Trinidad State College, represents the state’s largest investment in building the state’s healthcare workforce for humans and animals,” said Representative Mary Young.
This Certificate of Participation bill would make historic investments across the state in four Colorado institutions of higher education to bolster our healthcare workforce and support Colorado’s students and caregivers. The bipartisan legislation would support the College of Osteopathic Medicine at UNC, the Health Institute Tower at MSU Denver, the Veterinary Health Education Complex at CSU, and the Valley Campus Building Addition at Trinidad State.
“CSU’s Veterinary Health and Education Center will allow our university to expand our class size to help meet the shortage of veterinarians, adding economic value to Colorado and providing the care our animal patients deserve. It allows us to house our world-class program – one of the finest in the world – in world-class facilities. It also allows us to further our OneHealth efforts, adding to the quality of life in Colorado for humans and animals. We’ll put this facility to great use for decades to come, and we’re extremely grateful to the bill sponsors and the Governor for their support of this measure,” said CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank.
This investment will bolster CSU’s national leading veterinary education programs, increasing the veterinary workforce for Colorado’s agricultural livestock and companion pets.
“MSU Denver’s Health Institute Tower project will educate and empower thousands of additional students in critical areas including nursing, mental and behavioral health, and social work,” said Janine Davidson, President of MSU Denver. “The Health Institute’s focus on an integrated, whole-person approach to health is bolstered by the diverse cohort of students who will meet the needs of communities in Colorado’s Front Range and beyond. This project will allow MSU Denver to educate even more future healthcare workers, filling important workforce gaps in our state. We are grateful to the Governor and the bill’s sponsors for their support.”
The investment in MSU’s Health Institute Tower will increase the institute's capacity by 25%, helping increase Colorado’s healthcare capacity in critical fields of nursing, behavioral health, psychology, and more.
“Colorado is facing a critical and growing physician shortage, which is felt most acutely in rural and underserved communities. The University of Northern Colorado is prepared to be part of the solution. By establishing a College of Osteopathic Medicine, UNC will graduate 150 new doctors into the workforce each year and directly address the challenges of access to healthcare for all Coloradans. This bold initiative will also create new career paths for students seeking to make a difference and actively benefit our communities and state for generations to come. I am thankful for the leadership of our bill sponsors and support of Governor Polis to help make this vision a reality,” said UNC President Andy Feinstein.
The funding for UNC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine will leverage the university’s existing strengths in the health sciences and help Colorado address critical physician shortages by producing doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), 57% of whom practice in primary care compared to 28% of MDs.
“Trinidad State College is the premier workforce training partner in the southernmost region of the state and a launchpad for aspiring healthcare workers. Our Valley Campus project will allow for the improvement and expansion of critical allied health programs in nursing, emergency medical technician, dental assisting, and medical assisting. It also provides much needed space for student wrap around services as we work to reduce long-standing educational inequities across the rural San Luis Valley,” said Dr. Rhonda Eppers, Trinidad State College President.
With these resources, Trinidad State will be able to expand the student capacity of its Allied Health Programs by 50%, increasing access to healthcare professionals in the San Luis Valley.
“With several rural-serving institutions across the state, the Colorado Community College System is committed to delivering a skilled, diverse, and sustainable healthcare workforce for all of Colorado. This collaborative initiative will provide critical investment needed to enhance our educational environment and strengthen our ability to serve the needs of our students, communities, and healthcare partners effectively,” said Joe Garcia, Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System.
The U.S. is projected to have a shortage of nearly three million healthcare workers over the next five years and 41,000 additional veterinarians by 2030. By 2026, Colorado will need more than 10,000 additional nurses to provide the care Coloradans need, 40% of whom currently live in an area with a shortage of health workers. Governor Polis and the General Assembly are addressing this need now, to ensure Colorado Students are provided the options and opportunities to follow this critical career path, and Coloradans today and in the future can get the care they need.
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