Western Slope hospitals, CMC receive millions in federal grants for rural healthcare

The nearly $170 million in federal funding is intended to protect access to care in Colorado's rural communities

This is excerpted from a story by Andrea Teres-Martinez that was published in the Post Independent, Aspen Times, Vail Daily, Ski Hi News, Steamboat Pilot and Summit Daily News on Sept. 30, 2026. 

By Andrea Teres-Martinez, Swift regional education reporter

Millions of dollars in federal funding are headed to Western Slope healthcare providers as the state looks to address persistent rural workforce shortages and expand access to care.

Colorado is directing roughly $169.5 million in Rural Health Transformation Program grants to rural healthcare providers across the state, according to a Monday news release from Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

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Colorado Mountain College works to expand rural health workforce

Colorado Mountain College, in partnership with seven partner hospitals, was awarded $1.86 million annually over the next 5 years, which the college said will expand educational opportunities for students and strengthen the mountain region’s local workforce.

“It is a remarkable opportunity,” Matt Gianneschi, president of Colorado Mountain College, said about being selected for the grant. “This is a once-in-a-career kind of investment for many of the people at a college like CMC.”

Visit the Post Independent to read the entire story.