The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked its annual Safety Net Clinic Week with a special event in Del Norte, Colorado, on August 26, 2026, honoring Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics for their exceptional service and commitment to rural healthcare. The celebration included a lunch for staff, community members, and local leaders, as well as a video screening about the importance of primary care preceptors in sustaining the rural healthcare workforce.
Safety net clinics are vital for rural residents and visitors who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Despite their critical role, these clinics often operate with limited funding and face workforce shortages and increasing administrative demands. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized, "Safety net clinics are the go-to facilities for rural residents and visitors in need of high-quality healthcare. They serve those who are uninsured, underinsured, or insured through public programs and are vibrant parts of local communities and economies."
The recognition of Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics is particularly significant given their recent achievements: they were named a Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance and have made outstanding contributions to training the next generation of rural primary care physicians. This event not only celebrated their success but also underscored the broader challenges safety net clinics face, including limited funding for general operations, workforce shortages, and evolving payment models.
Governor Jared Polis also issued a proclamation declaring August 23-29, 2026, as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado, recognizing that "rural safety net clinics provide essential healthcare treatment and preventive services to vulnerable populations in communities throughout our state." The proclamation expressed gratitude for the dedication of these clinics to their communities.
The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991, serves as the state's Office of Rural Health and a statewide rural health association. Its dual mission includes assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues and advocating for policy changes to ensure access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all rural Coloradans. For more information about CRHC and its initiatives, visit www.coruralhealth.org.
