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, 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 serve as essential healthcare providers for rural residents and visitors who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized their importance: "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." She added, "CRHC hosts Safety Net Clinic Week each year to educate policymakers, healthcare advocates, and community leaders on the necessity of keeping our safety net intact and thriving."
Despite the lack of supplemental federal funding, safety net clinics continue to deliver essential services to rural and underserved populations. They operate under diverse business and practice models but share a common commitment to providing care to those in need. These clinics face numerous challenges, including limited operational funding, workforce shortages, growing reporting 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 clinic types that serve Coloradans covered by programs like Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare.
This year, CRHC held its luncheon in Del Norte on August 26th to honor Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics. The organization selected this facility due to its recent designation as a Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance and its outstanding contributions to training the next generation of rural primary care physicians. "Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics serve the residents of the San Luis Valley with a dedication to quality and efficiency," said Mills. "The access to care provided by safety net clinics is invaluable and we were honored to celebrate in Del Norte. Happy Safety Net Clinic Week!"
Governor Polis also signed a declaration proclaiming August 23-29, 2026 as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado. The proclamation stated, "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 Colorado's State Office of Rural Health, operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It serves dual roles: as the State Office of Rural Health, assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues, and as the State Rural Health Association, advocating for policy changes to ensure rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the highest quality. For more information, visit www.coruralhealth.org.
