Estes Park Health has officially joined the UCHealth network, becoming UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center (EVMC) as of December 1, 2025. The transition marks a significant change for the hospital, which has served the Estes Valley community for five decades.
Elizabeth B. Concordia, president and CEO of UCHealth, stated, “We are excited to welcome Estes Park Health and its talented providers and staff to the UCHealth family. We have a long history of collaboration in Estes Park, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to excellent patient care close to home.”
The name change to UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center was requested by the Park Hospital District Board of Directors to better reflect the hospital’s service area. All staff from Estes Park Health are now employed by UCHealth, allowing patients continued access to their familiar health care providers.
Vern Carda, president of Estes Valley Medical Center, commented on the milestone: “This year marks 50 years of health care in the Estes Valley. I can’t think of a better way to embark on the next 50 years than by joining UCHealth. This not only gives us financial stability and additional access to resources and subject matter experts, but also assistance in recruiting and retaining staff and providers, and importantly, continued access to health care for our patients. I’m grateful to the entire Estes Park community for their patience during this process and for entrusting our staff and providers with their health.”
The move follows a 2023 vote where 80.3% of residents authorized negotiations with a Colorado-based nonprofit health system.
A new board of directors will oversee EVMC’s operations including medical staff credentialing, patient quality and safety oversight, as well as budget recommendations made to UCHealth’s main board.
Board members include Stephen Alper (vice chairman), Janet Zeschin (secretary), Grace Taylor (vice president of operations at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies), Kevin Unger (president and CEO of UCHealth’s northern Colorado Region), David Batey (former chairman), Sue Cooper (chair of Estes Park Health Foundation), and Christina Kraft (market president at Bank of Colorado Estes Park).
UCHealth already operates several programs in Estes Park such as Aspen Club for long-term resident health improvement. High school students receive CPR training through Healthy Hearts and Minds initiatives. Additional clinics provided by UCHealth offer services like family medicine, cancer treatment, cardiology, urology among others within town limits.
Kevin Unger said: “I’ve been fortunate to know the Estes Park community and many of its residents for decades. It brings me great joy that through this partnership, UCHealth will continue caring for this special part of Colorado for years to come. We can’t wait to support not only the patients, but the clinical, operational and administrative teams who make excellent health care possible every day.”
