Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser approved Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth’s acquisition of Estes Park (Colo.) Health.
Mr. Weiser on Sept. 22 issued an opinion finding that the proposed acquisition “will not result in a material change to Estes Park Health hospital’s public purpose and that Coloradans will not experience a reduction in the availability and accessibility of health care services in the communities the hospital serves.”
Under state law, if both conditions are met, the transaction must proceed, according to a Sept. 22 news release from his office.
Park Hospital District, which operates Estes Park Health, and UCHealth signed a letter of intent in October for the critical access hospital to join the health system after Park Hospital District voters in 2023 authorized the district to join a health system.
UCHealth has committed to assume $10 million of Estes Park Health’s long-term debt, according to the release. The system will also provide at least $20 million over 10 years for capital projects and routine maintenance. UCHealth has also committed to hiring most Estes Park Health employees who are in good standing.
