The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked the state's annual Safety Net Clinic Week (August 23-29, 2026) with a special event in Del Norte, Colorado, to honor 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 quality healthcare, particularly those who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. These clinics are not only healthcare providers but also vibrant parts of local communities and economies, according to CRHC CEO Michelle Mills. She emphasized that 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.
Despite the lack of supplemental federal funding, safety net clinics continue to provide essential services to rural and underserved populations. They operate under diverse business and practice models but share a common commitment to serving those in need. These clinics deliver valuable care despite limited funding for general operations, workforce challenges, growing reporting and accountability requirements, and evolving payment and delivery models. The clinic types recognized during the week include certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and other rural practices that serve Coloradans who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in public programs like Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare.
This year, CRHC's luncheon was held on August 26th in Del Norte, bringing together healthcare leaders, educators, providers, and partners. 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 and their 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 states, “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, serves dual roles as the State Office of Rural Health and the State Rural Health Association. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CRHC assists rural communities in addressing healthcare issues and advocates for policy changes to ensure rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the highest quality.
