Park Hospital District Board responsibilities may change as UCHealth partnership develops

A wide view of the entrance to Estes Park Health, featuring a stone facade, large windows, and a pathway surrounded by landscaping, with a flagpole flying the American flag in the foreground.

Estes Park Health (EPH) and its board of directors continue to make progress on defining the agreement that will allow EPH to join UCHealth, likely in mid-2025. As the due diligence process continues, board members and hospital leaders are optimistic that the agreement will be finalized over the coming months.

“UCHealth leaders and the dedicated EPH board members are making progress toward this important partnership that will strengthen the health care services offered in our town and local communities,” said Vern Carda, Estes Park Health CEO. “Though we are all anxious to finalize the agreement quickly, we know the time spent now is important and will benefit patients for decades to come.”

The period for self-nomination for the Park Hospital District (PHD) Board is now open and will run through Feb. 20, with the election scheduled for May 6, 2025. With the election coming up in several months, EPH is sharing that the planned partnership with UCHealth will change the makeup and responsibilities of the PHD Board as Estes Park Health becomes a more traditional, nonprofit organization. The agreement between EPH and UCHealth is not final, and details are subject to change.

If the partnership with UCHealth is finalized, EPH will create its own, nonprofit hospital board of directors. This board is expected to be made up of Estes Park community members, board members nominated by the PHD Board, and UCHealth leaders. The nonprofit board will help oversee the hospital’s operations, provider credentialing, quality, safety and overall performance. The EPH board will be separate from the PHD Board.

The Park Hospital District will continue as a special taxing district, helping to generate tax revenues that will support local health care operations and improvements. The PHD Board will oversee the tax district, but oversight of the hospital will transfer to the new EPH Board.

“Serving on the Park Hospital Board is an important responsibility that helps improve the health of our entire community. We want to encourage this service while also letting anyone interested in a position know that the board’s responsibilities will change as we plan to join UCHealth,” said Carda.