Colorado Hospitals: Comprehensive Medical Care Directory
Complete guide to Colorado's hospitals including top-ranked medical centers, trauma facilities, mountain hospitals specializing in altitude medicine and ski injuries, and critical access hospitals serving rural communities across the state.
🏥 Top-Ranked Colorado Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report evaluated 109 hospitals in Colorado, recognizing eight as Best Regional Hospitals. These medical centers represent the highest standards of care in the state:
#1 UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Top Rated
📍 Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
For the 14th consecutive year, ranked as Colorado's #1 hospital. Nationally ranked in 4 adult specialties including #1 in the nation for Pulmonology. Level I Trauma Center with 5-star CMS quality rating.
- Beds: 631 inpatient beds
- Specialties: Cancer, Cardiology, Neurology, Pulmonology
- Recognition: Consistently #1 or #2 in state since 1997
Contact: (720) 848-0000
Website: uchealth.org
#2 National Jewish Health
📍 Denver
The only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Ranked #1 or #2 in Pulmonology by U.S. News for 26 consecutive years.
- Focus: Respiratory, Cardiac, Immune Disorders
- History: Founded 1899, 125+ years of excellence
- Research: Academic hospital with groundbreaking research
Contact: 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206
Website: nationaljewish.org
#3 (Tied) UCHealth Memorial Hospital
📍 Colorado Springs
Award-winning 413-bed hospital ranked #3 in Colorado and #1 in Colorado Springs region. High performing in treatment of chronic heart failure, COPD, and hip/knee replacement.
- Beds: 413 beds
- Additional Facilities: Grandview Hospital, Pikes Peak Regional
- Recognition: Nationally recognized for quality, research, outcomes
Contact: (719) 365-5000
Website: uchealth.org/memorial
#3 (Tied) UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies
📍 Loveland
Level I Regional Trauma Center caring for 40,000+ patients annually. Performs twice as many cardiac surgeries as any other hospital in northern Colorado.
- Trauma: Level I Regional designation
- Cardiac: Leading cardiac surgery center in region
- Service Area: Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley
Contact: 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave, Loveland, CO
Website: uchealth.org
#4 Penrose-St. Francis Health Services
📍 Colorado Springs
Part of CommonSpirit Health. Penrose Hospital (364 beds) is a Level II trauma center, St. Francis Hospital is a Level III trauma center. Ranked 4th best in Colorado.
- History: Sisters of Charity founded 1990 consolidation
- Facilities: Two major hospitals, multiple locations
- Performance: Top 10% nationally in multiple specialties
Contact: Penrose: N Nevada Ave | St. Francis: E Boulder St
Website: commonspirit.org
Other Top-Ranked Hospitals
- HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke's - Denver (680 beds)
- HCA HealthONE Aurora - Aurora (100 Best Hospitals Award)
- HCA HealthONE SKY Ridge - Lone Tree (100 Best Hospitals Award)
- HCA HealthONE Swedish - Englewood (Level I Trauma, 100 Best)
- AdventHealth Parker - Parker (250 Best Hospitals Award)
- St. Mary's Regional - Grand Junction (310 beds, Level II Trauma)
🏛️ Specialty Hospitals
Colorado is home to world-renowned specialty hospitals providing focused care in specific medical disciplines:
👶 Children's Hospital Colorado Top 10 National
📍 Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
One of only 10 children's hospitals on the U.S. News Honor Roll 2025-2026. Ranked #1 in Colorado and Rocky Mountain region with five specialties in national Top 10.
- Top Specialties: Cardiology #2, Diabetes/Endocrinology #3, Pulmonology #4, Cancer #4, Gastroenterology #7
- Nationally Ranked: 11 pediatric specialties
- 24/7 Support: Caring pediatric nurses available
Contact: 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045 | (720) 777-0123
Website: childrenscolorado.org
🫁 National Jewish Health #1 Respiratory
📍 Denver
Ranked #1 in the nation for Pulmonology. The only facility worldwide dedicated exclusively to respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders.
- Legacy: #1 or #2 in Pulmonology every year since 1997
- Focus Areas: Respiratory, Cardiac, Immune conditions
- Research: Groundbreaking medical research facility
- Social Responsibility: Recognized by The Lown Institute
Contact: 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206
Website: nationaljewish.org
🏥 Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital
📍 Denver
Part of HCA HealthONE system. Dedicated flagship pediatric hospital sharing campus with Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center.
System: HCA HealthONE (7 acute care hospitals, 170+ care sites)
Website: healthonecares.com
🧠 Specialized Rehabilitation Centers
- HCA HealthONE Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital - Denver metro
- UCHealth Rehabilitation Hospital - Partnered with Boulder Community Health
- Craig Hospital - Englewood (Spinal cord injury & brain injury rehab)
📍 Denver Metro Area Hospitals
The Denver metropolitan area hosts Colorado's largest concentration of hospitals, featuring multiple health systems providing comprehensive medical services:
HCA HealthONE System (7 Acute Care Hospitals)
HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center
📍 1719 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
680-bed hospital formed from merger of St. Luke's Hospital (est. 1881) and Denver Presbyterian Hospital (est. 1926). Acquired by Columbia Health/HealthONE in 1992. Shares campus with Rocky Mountain Children's.
- Beds: 680 beds
- Specialties: Full-service acute care
- Partner: Kaiser Permanente affiliated
HCA HealthONE Rose Medical Center
📍 Denver
Full-service acute care hospital with comprehensive medical and surgical services.
System: Part of 170+ care sites in Denver metro
HCA HealthONE Swedish Medical Center Level I Trauma
📍 Englewood
Level I Trauma Center. Recognized with America's 100 Best Hospitals Award and Patient Safety Excellence Award.
- Trauma: Level I designation
- Awards: 100 Best Hospitals, Patient Safety Excellence
HCA HealthONE Aurora 100 Best
📍 Aurora
America's 100 Best Hospitals Award and Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient.
HCA HealthONE SKY Ridge Medical Center 100 Best
📍 Lone Tree
America's 100 Best Hospitals Award and Patient Safety Excellence Award. Modern facility serving south metro Denver.
Additional HCA HealthONE Facilities
- HCA HealthONE Centennial - Centennial
- HCA HealthONE Mountain Ridge - Mountain region
- HCA HealthONE Spalding Rehabilitation - Denver
SCL Health / Intermountain Health System
SCL Health Saint Joseph Hospital
📍 Denver
General medical and surgical teaching hospital with 400 inpatient beds. One of eight hospitals operated by SCL Health. Merged with Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare in April 2021.
- Beds: 400 inpatient beds
- Type: Teaching hospital
- System: Now part of Intermountain Health
Other SCL Health Facilities
- Good Samaritan Medical Center - Lafayette
- Lutheran Medical Center - Wheat Ridge
- Platte Valley Medical Center - Brighton
- Multiple urgent care and specialty clinics
Other Major Denver Metro Hospitals
Denver Health Medical Center Level I Trauma
📍 Denver
The only Level I Trauma Center in Denver, treating over 20,000 trauma patients annually. Academic medical center with comprehensive emergency services.
- Trauma: Denver's only Level I center
- Volume: 20,000+ trauma patients/year
- Teaching: Academic medical center
AdventHealth Parker 250 Best
📍 Parker
America's 250 Best Hospitals Award and Critical Care Excellence Award. Serves southeast metro Denver and Douglas County.
- Awards: 250 Best, Critical Care Excellence
- Service Area: Parker, Castle Rock, Douglas County
🏔️ Colorado Springs Area Hospitals
Colorado's second-largest city features two major hospital systems providing comprehensive care to the Pikes Peak region:
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central #1 in Region
📍 Colorado Springs
413-bed hospital ranked #6 best in Colorado, #1 in Colorado Springs region. Award-winning care recognized nationally for quality, research and outcomes.
- Beds: 413 beds
- High Performing: Heart failure, COPD, hip/knee replacement (top 10%)
- System Facilities: Memorial Central, Grandview Hospital, Pikes Peak Regional Hospital (Woodland Park)
Contact: (719) 365-5000
Website: uchealth.org/memorial
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services #4 in State
📍 Colorado Springs (CommonSpirit Health)
Two-hospital system ranked 4th best in Colorado. Penrose Hospital (364 beds, Level II Trauma Center) on North Nevada Ave. St. Francis Hospital (Level III Trauma Center) on East Boulder St.
- Penrose Hospital: 364 beds, Level II Trauma Center
- St. Francis Hospital: Level III Trauma Center
- History: 1990 consolidation of Sisters of Charity organizations
- Performance: Top 10% nationally in heart failure, COPD, hip/knee replacement
System: CommonSpirit Health
Website: commonspirit.org
Recent Expansions (2019)
Both St. Francis and Memorial North opened major expansions in February 2019, increasing capacity and modernizing facilities to serve the rapidly growing Pikes Peak region.
⛷️ Mountain & Ski Resort Hospitals
Colorado's mountain hospitals provide specialized care for altitude-related conditions and ski injuries, treating up to 55 injured skiers and snowboarders daily during peak season:
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center Peak Ski Hospital
📍 Frisco, Summit County (CommonSpirit Health)
Treats approximately 16,500 patients annually in emergency department, with one-third to half from nearby ski areas: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Loveland.
- Annual ER Volume: 16,500 patients (50% ski-related in season)
- Altitude: Specialized care at 9,000+ feet elevation
- Ski Season Clinics: Operates slopeside emergency/urgent care at base of Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone
- Peak Volume: Breckenridge clinic sees 100 patients/day when busy
- High Acuity: Copper clinic sees 60% ski injuries, many high-acuity trauma
Service Area: Summit County, Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone, A-Basin
System: CommonSpirit Health
Vail Health Hospital
📍 Vail
Serves Vail, Beaver Creek, and Eagle County. Extensive experience with ski injuries and altitude medicine. Partners with Colorado Mountain Medical for expanded care.
- Service Area: Vail, Beaver Creek, Eagle County
- Altitude Medicine: Specialized care at 8,150 feet
- Partner Clinics: Colorado Mountain Medical locations in Vail, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, Frisco, Dillon
System: Partnered with Colorado Mountain Medical
Website: vailhealth.org
Aspen Valley Hospital
📍 Aspen
Serves Aspen, Snowmass, and Roaring Fork Valley. Emergency department physicians experienced with slopeside trauma care and altitude-related conditions.
- Altitude: 7,900 feet - extensive altitude sickness expertise
- Ski Resorts Served: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Highlands, Buttermilk
- Service Model: Hospital handles crush of ski season when population triples
Other Mountain Region Hospitals
- UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital - Woodland Park
- Steamboat Springs Medical Center - Steamboat Springs (serves Steamboat resort)
- Gunnison Valley Health Hospital - Gunnison (serves Crested Butte)
- Estes Park Medical Center - Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park gateway)
Slopeside Emergency Care Clinics
Several ski resorts operate Level 1 emergency clinics at the base, providing immediate trauma care:
- Breckenridge Level 1 Clinic: Up to 100 patients/day during busy periods
- Copper Mountain Clinic: 20-30 patients/day, 60% ski injuries, high-acuity trauma
- Keystone Clinic: 20-30 patients/day
- Common Injuries: Fractures, sprains, concussions, shoulder dislocations, knee injuries
🚑 Colorado Trauma Centers
Colorado's designated trauma facilities provide critical emergency care, with Level I and II centers offering comprehensive trauma services:
Level I Trauma Centers Highest Level
Level I centers provide comprehensive trauma care with full complement of specialties and commitment to trauma research and education:
- Denver Health Medical Center - Denver (Only Level I in Denver, 20,000+ patients/year)
- HCA HealthONE Swedish Medical Center - Englewood
- UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies - Loveland (Regional Level I, 40,000+ ER visits/year)
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital - Aurora (Anschutz Campus)
Level II Trauma Centers Regional Care
Level II centers provide comprehensive trauma care and are vital regional resources:
- Penrose Hospital - Colorado Springs (364 beds)
- North Suburban Medical Center - Thornton
- St. Mary's Regional Hospital - Grand Junction (Only Level II on Western Slope, 310 beds, largest between Denver and Salt Lake City)
- Memorial Hospital - Colorado Springs area
Level III Trauma Centers
Level III centers provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, and emergency surgery, with transfer agreements to higher-level facilities:
- St. Francis Hospital - Colorado Springs
- Multiple community hospitals across Colorado
- Level I, II, and Regional Pediatric Trauma Centers reviewed by State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council
🌄 Other Colorado Regions
Northern Colorado (Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley)
Boulder Community Health
📍 Boulder
Founded 1922, dedicated to high-quality medical care for Boulder County residents. Partners with UCHealth for inpatient rehabilitation services.
- History: 100+ years serving Boulder
- Partnership: UCHealth rehab collaboration
- Service Area: Boulder County
UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital
📍 Fort Collins
Part of UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation serving Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley.
- Service Area: Fort Collins and northern Colorado
- System: UCHealth Northern Colorado
Banner Health - Northern Colorado Medical Center
📍 Greeley
Part of Banner Health system serving Weld County and northern Colorado.
Western Slope
St. Mary's Regional Hospital Largest Western Slope
📍 2635 N 7th St, Grand Junction
310-bed hospital - the largest between Denver and Salt Lake City. Founded 1896 by Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. Now part of Intermountain Health (formerly SCL Health).
- Beds: 310 beds
- Trauma: Only Level II trauma center in the region
- Emergency Dept: 30+ exam rooms, 3 trauma rooms
- Historic: Serving western Colorado and eastern Utah since 1896
- National Recognition: First community hospital in nation to receive highest vascular verification from American College of Surgeons (one of only 5 in US)
System: Intermountain Health (merged 2022)
Website: intermountainhealth.org
Other Western Slope Hospitals
- Delta County Memorial Hospital - Delta
- Montrose Regional Health - Montrose
- Gunnison Valley Health - Gunnison
- Mercy Regional Medical Center - Durango
- Southwest Health System - Cortez
Southern Colorado
Parkview Medical Center
📍 Pueblo
Major hospital serving Pueblo and southern Colorado region.
Rio Grande Hospital Top 100 CAH
📍 Monte Vista
Recognized as Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in US for 2025. Serves San Luis Valley with clinics in Del Norte, South Fork, and Creede.
Eastern Plains
Eastern Colorado Hospitals
- Sterling Regional MedCenter - Sterling
- Melissa Memorial Hospital - Holyoke
- Sedgwick County Health Center - Julesburg
- Lincoln Community Hospital - Hugo
- Kit Carson County Health Service District - Burlington
🏘️ Rural & Critical Access Hospitals
Colorado has 32 Critical Access Hospitals serving people in rural and frontier areas needing acute care services. These facilities are vital lifelines for communities across the state:
About Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)
Critical Access Hospitals are designated to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare and are typically:
- Located more than 35 miles from another hospital (or 15 miles in mountainous terrain)
- Maintain no more than 25 acute care inpatient beds
- Provide 24/7 emergency care services
- Have an average length of stay of 96 hours or less
Notable Critical Access Hospitals
- Rio Grande Hospital - Monte Vista (Top 100 CAH nationally, 2025)
- Estes Park Medical Center - Estes Park (Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Steamboat Springs Medical Center - Steamboat Springs
- Gunnison Valley Health Hospital - Gunnison
- Melissa Memorial Hospital - Holyoke
- Rangely District Hospital - Rangely
- Haxtun Hospital District - Haxtun
- Lincoln Community Hospital - Hugo
Geographic Distribution (32 Total CAH)
Critical Access Hospitals serve every region of Colorado:
- Eastern Plains: Sterling, Holyoke, Burlington, Julesburg, Hugo, Wray
- Western Slope: Rangely, Craig, Meeker, Delta, Gunnison
- San Luis Valley: Monte Vista, Alamosa area
- Mountain Communities: Estes Park, Steamboat, Kremmling
- Southern Colorado: Trinidad, Walsenburg, La Junta, Las Animas
💡 Visitor Tips & Emergency Information
⛰️ Altitude Sickness Prevention & Treatment
Colorado elevations range from 3,300 to 14,000+ feet. Be prepared:
- Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath
- Prevention: Ascend gradually, stay hydrated (drink 3-4 liters water/day), avoid alcohol first 24-48 hours, rest frequently
- When to Seek Care: Severe headache not relieved by medication, confusion, difficulty breathing at rest, inability to walk
- Hospital Experience: Mountain hospitals extremely experienced with altitude sickness (many patients arrive unprepared for 11,000-foot elevations)
Children's Hospital Colorado: 24/7 pediatric nurses available for altitude questions: (720) 777-0123
⛷️ Ski Injury Emergency Care
Know before you go:
- On-Mountain Care: All major resorts have ski patrol. Call (970) 513-5760 during operating hours or 911 for emergencies
- Base Clinics: Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone have Level 1 emergency clinics at base (immediate trauma care)
- Common Injuries: Fractures (most common), sprains, concussions, shoulder dislocations, knee injuries
- Season Volume: Up to 55 injured skiers/snowboarders per day arrive at Colorado ERs during peak season
- Hospital Transport: Serious injuries transported to St. Anthony Summit (Frisco), Vail Health, or Aspen Valley hospitals
Tip: Purchase travel insurance covering ski injuries and potential helicopter evacuation (standard health insurance may not cover)
🚑 Emergency Services - When to Call 911
- Life-Threatening Emergencies: Call 911 immediately for chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, stroke symptoms
- Level I Trauma Centers: Denver Health (Denver), UCHealth University Hospital (Aurora), Swedish (Englewood), Medical Center of the Rockies (Loveland)
- Altitude Emergencies: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or Cerebral Edema (HACE) - requires immediate hospital care
- Rural Areas: Critical Access Hospitals provide 24/7 emergency care with transfer agreements to larger facilities
- Average ER Wait Times: Vary by facility and time; Level I trauma centers may have longer waits for non-emergencies
🏥 Choosing the Right Facility
- Life-Threatening: Call 911 or go to nearest Emergency Department
- Serious but Not Life-Threatening: Emergency Department or urgent care
- Minor Illness/Injury: Urgent care clinics (HCA HealthONE CareNow, UCHealth urgent care, others)
- Ski Injuries: Resort base clinics (Breck, Copper, Keystone) for immediate care
- Specialized Care: Children's Hospital Colorado (pediatrics), National Jewish Health (respiratory), UCHealth (cancer, heart, neurology)
- Out-of-State Visitors: Most hospitals accept out-of-state insurance; verify coverage before non-emergency visits
💊 Prescription & Pharmacy Services
- Hospital Pharmacies: Most major hospitals have on-site pharmacies
- 24-Hour Pharmacies: Select Walgreens, CVS, King Soopers locations in metro areas
- Mountain Communities: Limited pharmacy hours; plan ahead for mountain trips
- Altitude Medication: Acetazolamide (Diamox) available by prescription for altitude sickness prevention
- Travel Tip: Fill critical prescriptions before traveling to mountain areas
🗺️ Regional Hospital Access
- Denver Metro: Highest concentration, multiple Level I trauma centers, shortest wait times
- Colorado Springs: Two major systems (UCHealth Memorial, Penrose-St. Francis)
- Mountain Communities: Full-service hospitals in Frisco, Vail, Aspen; plan for seasonal crowds
- Western Slope: St. Mary's (Grand Junction) largest facility between Denver-Salt Lake
- Rural Areas: 32 Critical Access Hospitals; may transfer serious cases to regional centers
- Helicopter Transport: AirLife Denver, Flight for Life available for critical transfers
📱 Important Contact Numbers
- Emergency: 911
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
- Children's Hospital Nurse Line: (720) 777-0123 (24/7)
- Ski Patrol (Vail Resorts): (970) 513-5760
- Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-8255 (mental health)
- Altitude Sickness Info: Contact any mountain hospital ER
🏔️ Seasonal Considerations
- Ski Season (Nov-Apr): Mountain hospital ERs busiest; longer wait times possible; altitude sickness peaks
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Hiking injuries, dehydration, lightning strikes; altitude sickness common in tourists
- Weather Impacts: Snowstorms can delay ambulance/helicopter transport; plan accordingly
- Population Swings: Mountain community populations triple during ski season; hospitals scaled for peak demand
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora has been ranked the #1 hospital in Colorado for 14 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is nationally ranked in 4 adult specialties and #1 in the nation for Pulmonology.
Other top-ranked hospitals include National Jewish Health (world's leading respiratory hospital), Children's Hospital Colorado (Top 10 nationally, Honor Roll), UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, and UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland.
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath are common when ascending to Colorado's high elevations (5,000-11,000+ feet).
Prevention: Ascend gradually, drink 3-4 liters of water daily, avoid alcohol for the first 24-48 hours, rest frequently, and consider acetazolamide (Diamox) if traveling above 9,000 feet.
When to seek hospital care: Severe headache not relieved by over-the-counter medication, confusion, difficulty breathing at rest, inability to walk, or symptoms of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or Cerebral Edema (HACE).
Hospital expertise: Colorado mountain hospitals have extensive experience treating altitude sickness, with many patients arriving unprepared for skiing at 11,000 feet. Children's Hospital Colorado offers 24/7 nurse support at (720) 777-0123 for altitude-related questions.
On-mountain injuries: Contact ski patrol immediately. Call (970) 513-5760 during operating hours or 911 for emergencies. All major Colorado resorts have professional ski patrol trained in mountain rescue and emergency medical care.
Base clinic care: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone operate Level 1 emergency clinics at the base. Breckenridge can see up to 100 patients per day when busy. These clinics provide immediate trauma care for fractures, sprains, and concussions.
Hospital transport: Serious injuries are transported to St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco (treats 16,500 ER patients annually, half from ski areas), Vail Health Hospital, or Aspen Valley Hospital depending on location.
Insurance consideration: Purchase travel insurance covering ski injuries and potential helicopter evacuation, as standard health insurance may not cover these costs. Colorado ERs treat approximately 55 injured skiers and snowboarders daily during peak season - about 8,000 per season total.
Colorado has four Level I Trauma Centers providing the highest level of comprehensive trauma care:
- Denver Health Medical Center - Denver (The only Level I in Denver, treating 20,000+ trauma patients annually)
- UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital - Aurora (Anschutz Medical Campus, ranked #1 in state)
- HCA HealthONE Swedish Medical Center - Englewood
- UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies - Loveland (Regional Level I, caring for 40,000+ ER patients/year)
Level I centers provide full complement of specialties, immediate surgery capability 24/7, and commitment to trauma research and education. For a complete list of all designated trauma facilities (Level I, II, III), visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at cdphe.colorado.gov/emergency-care/trauma.
Colorado has over 100 hospitals, including:
- 109 hospitals evaluated by U.S. News & World Report, with 8 recognized as Best Regional Hospitals
- 32 Critical Access Hospitals serving rural and frontier communities
- 4 Level I Trauma Centers (Denver Health, UCHealth University Hospital, Swedish, Medical Center of the Rockies)
- Multiple Level II and III Trauma Centers across the state
- Specialty hospitals including Children's Hospital Colorado (Top 10 nationally) and National Jewish Health (#1 respiratory hospital)
Major health systems include UCHealth, HCA HealthONE (7 acute care hospitals in Denver metro), CommonSpirit Health (Penrose-St. Francis, St. Anthony Summit, St. Mary's), and Intermountain Health (formerly SCL Health).
Children's Hospital Colorado (Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora) is ranked among the Top 10 children's hospitals nationally and earned a spot on the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Honor Roll - a distinction given to only 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States.
National rankings: Five specialties in the national Top 10 including Cardiology/Heart Surgery (#2), Diabetes/Endocrinology (#3), Pulmonology/Lung Surgery (#4), Cancer (#4), and Gastroenterology/GI Surgery (#7). The hospital is nationally ranked in 11 pediatric specialties total.
Additional pediatric facilities:
- Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital - Denver (Part of HCA HealthONE, shares campus with Presbyterian St. Luke's)
- 24/7 Nurse Support: Children's Hospital Colorado provides caring pediatric nurses available around the clock at (720) 777-0123 to answer questions
- Altitude expertise: Pediatric specialists experienced with altitude sickness in children
Cancer Care: UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Anschutz Campus) is nationally ranked in cancer care, affiliated with University of Colorado Cancer Center. Children's Hospital Colorado ranks #4 nationally for pediatric cancer.
Heart/Cardiac Care: UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies performs twice as many cardiac surgeries as any other northern Colorado hospital. Children's Hospital Colorado ranks #2 nationally for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. Multiple hospitals recognized for high performance in heart failure and cardiac care.
Respiratory/Pulmonology: National Jewish Health in Denver is ranked #1 in the nation for pulmonology and is the only facility worldwide dedicated exclusively to respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Ranked #1 or #2 nationally every year since 1997. UCHealth University Hospital also ranks #1 nationally in pulmonology.
Other Specialties: UCHealth University Hospital is nationally ranked in 4 adult specialties. Children's Hospital Colorado is nationally ranked in 11 pediatric specialties including top rankings in diabetes/endocrinology, gastroenterology, and neurology/neurosurgery.
Colorado Springs is served by two major hospital systems:
UCHealth Memorial Hospital - 413-bed hospital ranked #6 in Colorado and #1 in the Colorado Springs region. Award-winning care recognized nationally for quality, research and outcomes. High performing in heart failure, COPD, and hip/knee replacement treatment (top 10% nationally). System includes Memorial Central, Grandview Hospital (North Nevada Ave), and Pikes Peak Regional Hospital (Woodland Park). Contact: (719) 365-5000.
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services (CommonSpirit Health) - Two-hospital system ranked #4 in Colorado. Penrose Hospital: 364 beds, Level II Trauma Center on North Nevada Ave. St. Francis Hospital: Level III Trauma Center on East Boulder St. Founded through 1990 consolidation of Sisters of Charity organizations. Both hospitals opened major expansions in February 2019.
Yes. Colorado's major hospitals, especially those in Denver metro, Colorado Springs, and mountain resort areas, regularly treat international visitors and have services to accommodate them:
- Language Services: Major hospitals provide interpreter services for multiple languages
- International Insurance: Most accept international travel insurance; verify coverage before non-emergency visits
- Mountain Resort Hospitals: St. Anthony Summit (Frisco), Vail Health, and Aspen Valley hospitals have extensive experience with international ski tourists
- Altitude Expertise: Hospital staff experienced with treating visitors unaccustomed to high elevations
- Payment Options: Can arrange payment plans; emergency care provided regardless of ability to pay
Recommendation: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical care, altitude sickness treatment, ski injuries, and potential helicopter evacuation before traveling to Colorado. Contact your embassy or consulate for additional support if needed.
By bed count, HCA HealthONE Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver is one of the largest with 680 beds. It shares a campus with Rocky Mountain Children's Hospital.
By overall system size, HCA HealthONE is Colorado's largest healthcare system with 7 acute care hospitals (Presbyterian St. Luke's, Rose, Aurora, Centennial, Mountain Ridge, Sky Ridge, Swedish), a dedicated pediatric hospital (Rocky Mountain Children's), rehabilitation hospital (Spalding), CareNow urgent care clinics, and over 170 care sites across the Denver metro area.
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (631 beds, Anschutz Campus) is the #1 ranked hospital in the state and serves as the state's primary academic medical center. St. Mary's Regional Hospital in Grand Junction (310 beds) is the largest hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City, serving the entire Western Slope region.
📚 Additional Resources
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: cdphe.colorado.gov - Trauma center designations, emergency care information
- Colorado Hospital Association: cha.com - Find a hospital directory, maps
- Colorado Rural Health Center: coruralhealth.org - Critical Access Hospital resources, State Office of Rural Health
- U.S. News Hospital Rankings: health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/co - Colorado hospital rankings and ratings
- Children's Hospital Colorado: childrenscolorado.org - Pediatric care, 24/7 nurse line
Last updated on November 24, 2025