The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked Colorado's annual Safety Net Clinic Week, held from August 23 to 29, 2026, with a special event in Del Norte to honor 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 are essential providers for rural residents and visitors, offering care to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. They are integral parts of local communities and economies. CRHC CEO Michelle Mills emphasized their significance: "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 provide essential services to rural and underserved populations. They operate under diverse business and practice models but share a common commitment to delivering care. These clinics face numerous challenges, including limited operational funding, workforce shortages, increasing reporting and accountability requirements, and evolving payment and delivery systems. The clinic types recognized during the week include certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and other practices that serve Coloradans with public insurance like Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare.
The event in Del Norte was held on August 26 at Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics, which was recently recognized as a [Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance](https://www.coruralhealth.org/rio-grande-top-10) and has made 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 [proclamation](https://www.colorado.gov/governor/proclamation-safety-net-clinic-week) declaring August 23-29, 2026 as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado, stating, "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 the State Office of Rural Health, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assists rural communities in addressing healthcare issues and advocates for policy changes to ensure access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare for rural Coloradans. For more information, visit [www.coruralhealth.org](http://www.coruralhealth.org).
