Estes Park Health and UCHealth Take Next Step Towards Finalizing Partnership
UCHealth and Estes Park Health sign agreements for EPH to join UCHealth in late 2025.
The Park Hospital District (PHD) and UCHealth have signed the agreements to bring the two health care providers together. The partnership ensures the long-term stability of Estes Park Health (EPH) and its ability to provide excellent health care in Estes Valley. The PHD board signed the agreements on May 15, 2025, following their board meeting. UCHealth signed the agreements yesterday following their board meeting on May 20, 2025. The organizations signed a letter of intent on October 3, 2024.
“Access to care close to home is important for all patients, and we’re excited for that to continue for residents and visitors in the Estes Valley,” said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth’s Northern Colorado region. “By welcoming Estes Park Health into the UCHealth family, we reinforce our commitment to the health and wellness of all Coloradans.”
EPH and UCHealth have collaborated for many years, and for decades, EPH has partnered with Poudre Valley Hospital and its physicians. EPH adopted UCHealth’s advanced electronic medical record and has launched programs to improve quality and safety for patients. UCHealth currently partners with EPH to provide access to many key specialties in Estes Park including cardiology, oncology, ENT, urology, a sleep lab, and surgery backup coverage. UCHealth will continue to offer a number of community outreach programs in Estes Park.
“Becoming part of UCHealth gives us the financial stability to maintain patient care, operate more efficiently, bring new resources and services for our employees, gain assistance in recruiting staff and providers to Estes Park, and strengthen clinical affiliations,” said Vern Carda, CEO of Estes Park Health. “This would not have been possible without the community’s overwhelming support since 2023 to pursue a partnership with another nonprofit health system. I want to thank everyone who has been involved with this effort. There’s more work to be done, but today, we can celebrate the next chapter at Estes Park Health.”
UCHealth will offer employment to all current EPH employees, pending standard pre-employment screening, and their years of service will be recognized. Contracts for EPH physicians and advanced practice providers will transition to UCHealth, allowing providers to continue seeing patients in Estes Park.
At the PHD board’s request, the name of the hospital will transition to UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center to reflect the care provided for the entire valley.
“As we transition into UCHealth, our community will continue to receive the expert care they have come to expect from Estes Park Health,” said David Batey, chairman of the Park Hospital District Board of Directors. “Being a part of UCHealth will also give our community access to advanced health care resources that can be challenging for a small, independent hospital to provide. Outstanding, innovative health care services will be guaranteed for Estes Valley for decades to come.”
A new board of directors will be created to oversee the nonprofit hospital, and the majority of the board members will be local community members. The new board will oversee medical staff credentialing, patient quality and safety, and recommend the budget of EPH. They will advocate for the health of employees, providers and the greater Estes Valley, support strategic planning efforts and make recommendations to UCHealth’s Board of Directors in the best interest of Estes Valley.
As pledged by Park Hospital District voters, an annual tax levied on property in the district remains in place and will continue to be used locally to support EPH, its services and the community. UCHealth is proud to honor the community’s continued support of the hospital.
UCHealth and EPH anticipate the partnership to be completed in late 2025 following review of the transaction by the Colorado Attorney General as required by Colorado state statute.
As a nonprofit health care system and the state’s largest provider of Medicaid, UCHealth is dedicated to the communities it serves. In fiscal year 2024, UCHealth provided more than $1.3 billion in total community benefits including $568 million in uncompensated care.