Estes Park Health to join UCHealth Dec. 1
NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the revised effective date to Dec. 1, 2025.
Sept. 22, 2025 – The Park Hospital District (PHD) and UCHealth have completed the steps needed for their planned partnership and determined Estes Park Health and its employees will join UCHealth on Dec. 1, 2025.
The effective date was determined following the completion of regulatory and contractual work, and PHD public comment sessions, clearing the way for the partnership to officially begin.
“We’re excited to have reached this milestone as partnering with UCHealth ensures the long-term stability of Estes Park Health and our ability to provide excellent health care to the residents of and visitors to the Estes Valley,” said Vern Carda, CEO of Estes Park Health. “I want to thank the community for its support during this process.”
On Dec. 1, EPH’s current employees will become UCHealth employees, and both organizations are committed to minimizing any disruptions to patient care.
“The close collaboration between UCHealth and EPH has been beneficial for decades. Through floods, wildfires, a pandemic and financial challenges, we have worked together to maintain access to excellent health care,” said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth’s northern Colorado region. “We look forward to welcoming their employees and providers to UCHealth and continuing to serve the Estes Valley community.”
“While positive changes will begin to occur at EPH and for our employees and providers with new benefits and other options, our focus remains on our patients,” said Carda. “Estes Park is a special place, and I want to commend our staff and providers for their dedication to caring for this community.”
The postponement of the effective date from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1 was necessary to accommodate the 20-day notification window to get on the Larimer County Commissioners’ meeting calendar. The commissioners need to review and approve the affiliation before the transaction can close. Estes Park Health will keep the community notified of that date once it has been confirmed.