The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked Colorado's annual Safety Net Clinic Week (August 23-29, 2026) with a celebratory event in Del Norte, honoring Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics for their exceptional service and training contributions. The event included a lunch 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, offering high-quality care to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. Despite their critical role, they face significant challenges, including limited funding, workforce shortages, and increasing administrative burdens. 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."
This year, CRHC chose to honor Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics due to 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 added, "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 acknowledged that "rural safety net clinics provide essential healthcare treatment and preventive services to vulnerable populations in communities throughout our state," and expressed gratitude for their dedication.
The event underscores the ongoing need for support and recognition of safety net clinics, which continue to deliver essential care despite financial and operational hurdles. As healthcare systems evolve, these clinics remain a cornerstone for rural communities, ensuring access to care for all Coloradans.
