Colorado

The document summarizes FY26 Rural Health Transformation Program applications from numerous states, each proposing major initiatives for workforce, infrastructure, care access, technology, and value-based delivery. Key foci across states include maternal health, chronic disease, closing rural hospital sustainability gaps, building coordinated networks, and leveraging telehealth and innovative models. State strategies vary from mobile health units and residencies to coordinated care networks and digital infrastructure investments.

The RHTP Advisory Committee convened to review program milestones, budget status, and funding mechanisms for the $165 million Year 1 implementation in Colorado. 85% of Year 1 funding will be distributed via competitive RFAs, focusing on hospital support, workforce, telehealth expansion, and chronic disease prevention. The committee reaffirmed the consultative role in program oversight and discussed formation of subcommittees, especially on data, to advance program deliverables. Key contacts: April Randle; Camille Harding; Dannon Cox; Jack Devie Event schedule: - Advisory Committee Meeting - 04/24/2026 - 2:00 - 4:00 PM MT - Virtual - HCPF Executive Director Appointment (Gretchen Hammer) - 04/13/2026 - CMS Budget Release Notice - 04/21/2026 - CMS Memo for RHTP Governance - 04/06/2026

Colorado's RHTP targets systemic transformation of rural health through a $1 billion five-year investment, addressing geographic, workforce, and financial barriers. Core strategies include expanding EMS, telehealth, workforce recruitment/retention, data integration, chronic disease/prevention programs, payment reform, and regionalized care coordination. The plan will strengthen rural hospitals’ sustainability, improve access to care, and reduce health disparities across all rural and frontier counties, prioritizing maternal, behavioral, and chronic disease outcomes.

The Governor of Colorado endorses the application for the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program, designating HCPF as lead agency. The plan prioritizes health equity, workforce development, innovative care delivery, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable access for rural residents. Specific strategies include technology upgrades, workforce training, expanding access to care, and partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups. Key contacts: Governor Jared Polis Event schedule: - , 2025 CMS Administrator U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard, M/S B3-30-03 Baltimore, MD 21244 Subject: Governor’s Endorsement of the State of Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program Plan Dear CMS Administrator: As the Governor of the State of Colorado, I am pleased to provide this letter of endorsement for the Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP) submitted by Colorado to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (opportunity number CMS-RHT-26-001). I fully support and commit to this Rural Health Transformation plan to fuel a creative and impactful transformation of health care for rural residents across our state. The State of Colorado is dedicated to pursuing a collaborative approach with key stakeholders to achieve the following strategic goals: Make rural America healthy again; reducing chronic disease; sustainable access; workforce development; innovative care; and tech innovation. State Commitment and Lead Agency The State of Colorado recognizes the urgent need to strengthen and transform health care delivery and access for our rural communities. Through the Rural Health Transformation Plan, we will transform rural health care systems by improving the sustainability of providers, addressing health equity, and advancing innovative care delivery models. I hereby designate the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) as the lead agency responsible for submitting the application and implementing the State of Colorado’s plan. HCPF will leverage its experience in serving more than 21% of the state’s population, our partnerships with rural providers, and collaborative efforts with engaged Colorado stakeholders. This agency will coordinate all aspects of planning, stakeholder engagement, and program oversight in collaboration with key state and community partners. HCPF oversees the administration of Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and numerous value-based programs that span the State of Colorado. The financial support available through this grant will enable Colorado to elevate CMS’s strategic goals and pursue transformative outcomes for our rural communities. Rural Health Transformation Program funding will be requested for federally-defined rural and frontier counties in Colorado that continue to identify significant needs and gaps in accessible health care. Our interest in funding is a direct response to rural community needs, as demonstrated by data - November 4 - supplied by the Colorado Rural Health Center and surveys from numerous providers and partners across the state. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement From the outset, my administration has made it a priority to ensure that the Colorado Rural Health Transformation is driven by the voices of rural Coloradans. The State will integrate stakeholder input directly into decision-making through a transparent and inclusive governance structure designed to reflect the diversity of our rural health ecosystem. We have engaged key stakeholders through our planning process via listening sessions, ideation and feedback sessions, webinars, surveys, and interviews. A comprehensive list of our application core working group includes the following participants: ● Colorado Rural Health Center ● Rural Health Care Providers ● State Tribal Affairs Office and ● Colorado Department of Public Health Representatives and Environment ● Colorado Hospital Association ● Office of eHealth Innovation, the ● Colorado Behavioral Healthcare State-Designated Entity for all Health Council IT Strategy, Policy, and Funding ● Colorado Community Health Network Coordination (Federally Qualified Health Centers ● All 4 Regional Accountable Entity [FQHCs]) CEOs ● FQHC CEOs ● The Emergency Medical Services ● Colorado Rural Futures Group Association ● Colorado Health Initiative ● Tribal Representatives ● Western Healthcare Alliance ● Consumer Advocate Representatives ● Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium ● Other Key Stakeholders ● Rural Hospital CEOs I certify that stakeholder input has been incorporated into all stages of Colorado’s plan development and will continue throughout implementation of our Rural Health Transformation plan. Continued Stakeholder Engagement Through Implementation HCPF will maintain continuous stakeholder engagement by facilitating strategy and listening sessions with an Advisory Committee that represents key stakeholders from across Colorado’s rural health landscape. We will also conduct joint program evaluations, and integrate stakeholder recommendations into program modifications. This inclusive approach ensures transparency and ensures community-driven solutions to community-identified needs. Moving forward, the State of Colorado will continue to obtain stakeholder input by: ● Establishing an Advisory Committee that regularly represents rural providers, community leaders, and tribal partners. ● Hosting listening sessions and public forums on a regular basis to ensure comprehensive community engagement. ● Incorporating the feedback we obtain into policy, payment, and regulatory decisions during program implementation.