Colorado Rural Futures

01/21/2026

Yesterday, Senator John Hickenlooper visited Lincoln Health to see the realities of rural healthcare in Eastern Colorado—up close and unfiltered.

The visit included a hospital tour, a trip to the site of Lincoln Health's planned future hospital campus, and a roundtable with rural hospital leaders and community partners convened by the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium.

A key focus was the Rural Hospital Transformation Program (RHTP). While leaders expressed gratitude for the program’s intent and its focus on innovation, there was clear agreement on one point: innovation funding alone isn’t enough.

Many rural hospitals are working first to keep essential services available and doors open. Stable reimbursement, workforce sustainability, and operational support must come before transformation can truly take hold.

That’s why Rural Futures exists—to make sure rural voices aren’t an afterthought in policy conversations, but are heard where decisions are actually made.

Rural realities deserve real solutions.

11/20/2025

11/20/2025

In rural Colorado, healthcare is personal. It’s knowing your patients by name, showing up when the need is urgent and finding solutions where others see limitations. Today, we celebrate the people and partnerships that make care close, compassionate and community-driven. Happy National Rural Health Day from all of us at SLV Health💙

11/20/2025

Rural healthcare isn’t smaller — it’s closer.
Closer to the people.
Closer to the problem.
Closer to the solution.
This National Rural Health Day, we’re celebrating the care that happens closest to home — built on connection, trust, and a commitment to doing what’s right for our communities.

07/03/2025

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2025-07-01/gop-big-beautiful-bill-pass-house-senate-medicaid

The sacrifices the legislation imposes on struggling communities don't improve the financial health of our nation.

06/19/2025

03/17/2025

https://www.denver7.com/news/state-news/rural-colorado-hospital-leader-says-financial-situation-getting-worse

Several hospital CEOs have come together to try and help save rural hospitals across the state of Colorado.

10/27/2024

The rural communities served by these hospitals rely on them not only for healthcare but also for economic growth, job creation, and stability. Additionally, rural hospitals provide critical access to essential services, support local emergency response, promote health education, and enhance the overall quality of life in the region. Their presence fosters community cohesion and attracts other businesses, making them vital to the area’s social and economic fabric.

Nationwide, 104 hospitals in rural areas have closed since 2005, and hundreds limited their services. While 16 hospitals in Colorado limited their services, none have closed.

05/20/2024

02/15/2024

Update from Washington, DC!

Our CEO, Kevin Stansbury, has been actively engaged in the nation's capital all week, spearheading Lincoln Health's advocacy efforts and passionately championing the challenges facing Rural and Frontier Health.

Throughout the week, Kevin engaged with policymakers, sharing insights and perspectives from the front lines of healthcare delivery in rural communities. His dedication to ensuring equal access to quality care has resonated deeply with decision-makers.

At Lincoln Health, we're proud to have a leader like Kevin who isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and fight for what's right. His tireless efforts towards political advocacy for Frontier and Rural Hospitals are a testament to our ongoing commitment to serving the communities of Eastern Colorado.

Stay tuned for updates on the impact of Kevin's advocacy efforts!

01/31/2024

Welcome to Colorado Rural Futures- We are a group of Colorado Rural and Frontier Hospital CEOs who share a concern about the future viability of healthcare in the communities we serve. We endeavor to create a logical roadmap that will guide state policymakers in establishing policies that affect our hospitals in the future.
Rural and Frontier hospitals play a key role in providing healthcare access to isolated populations, stimulating local economies, and addressing healthcare disparities, this study seeks to ensure their sustainability and improvement to benefit these communities.