The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) celebrated Colorado's annual Safety Net Clinic Week (August 23-29, 2026) with an event in Del Norte, Colorado, honoring the work of Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics. The celebration included a luncheon for staff, community members, and local leaders, as well as a video screening on the importance of primary care preceptors in sustaining the rural healthcare workforce.
Safety net clinics are vital for rural residents and visitors who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. They are not only healthcare providers but also integral parts of local communities and economies. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized, "Safety net clinics are the go-to facilities for rural residents and visitors in need of high-quality healthcare. They serve those who are uninsured, underinsured, or insured through public programs and are vibrant parts of local communities and economies."
Despite the absence of supplemental federal funding, these clinics continue to deliver essential services. They face numerous challenges, including limited operational funding, workforce shortages, increasing reporting and accountability requirements, and evolving payment and delivery models. The clinic types recognized during Safety Net Clinic Week include certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), rural practices, and other clinics serving Coloradans who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid, CHP+, or Medicare.
This year's event, held on August 26th, honored Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics for their recent recognition as a Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance and their outstanding contributions to training the next generation of rural primary care physicians. Mills noted, "Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics serve the residents of the San Luis Valley with a dedication to quality and efficiency. The access to care provided by safety net clinics is invaluable, and we were honored to celebrate in Del Norte."
Governor Polis also signed a declaration proclaiming August 23-29, 2026, as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado. The proclamation states that "rural safety net clinics provide essential healthcare treatment and preventive services to vulnerable populations in communities throughout our state… We express our appreciation and gratitude to rural safety net clinics who designate their time, energy, and resources to serving their communities."
The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991 as the State Office of Rural Health, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves dual roles: assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues and advocating for policy changes to ensure access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services for all rural Coloradans. The recognition of Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics underscores the broader importance of safety net clinics in maintaining the health and well-being of rural populations.
