The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked Colorado's annual Safety Net Clinic Week (August 23-29, 2026) with a special event in Del Norte, Colorado, honoring the work of Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics. The celebration 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 essential for rural residents and visitors who need high-quality healthcare, serving those who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs like Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare. These clinics are vibrant parts of local communities and economies, yet they operate under significant challenges, including limited funding, workforce shortages, growing reporting requirements, and changing payment models. Despite these obstacles, they remain committed to providing essential care to vulnerable populations.
CRHC hosts Safety Net Clinic Week each year to educate policymakers, healthcare advocates, and community leaders about the necessity of keeping the safety net intact and thriving. This year, CRHC chose to honor Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics for their recent designation as a Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance, as well as for their outstanding contributions to training the next generation of rural primary care physicians.
“Safety net clinics are the go-to facilities for rural residents and visitors in need of high-quality healthcare,” said CRHC CEO Michelle Mills. “They serve those who are uninsured, underinsured, or insured through public programs and are vibrant parts of local communities and economies.” 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 stated that “rural safety net clinics provide essential healthcare treatment and preventive services to vulnerable populations in communities throughout our state,” and expressed appreciation for the clinics’ dedication of time, energy, and resources.
The event in Del Norte highlighted the broader significance of safety net clinics across Colorado and the nation. These clinics are often the only source of healthcare in rural areas, and their existence is crucial for community health and economic stability. However, they face ongoing threats from policy changes and funding instability, making recognition and advocacy efforts like Safety Net Clinic Week vital.
The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991 as Colorado’s State Office of Rural Health, works to assist rural communities in addressing healthcare issues and advocates for policy change to ensure access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare. For more information about CRHC and its initiatives, visit www.coruralhealth.org.
