The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) marked Safety Net Clinic Week (August 23-29, 2026) with a special event in Del Norte, Colorado, honoring 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 providers for rural residents, offering care to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by public programs. They also serve as economic pillars in their communities. 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.”
Despite their critical role, safety net clinics often operate without supplemental federal funding. They face workforce shortages, growing reporting and accountability demands, and evolving payment and delivery models. The clinic types recognized during Safety Net Clinic Week include certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and other practices that serve Coloradans covered by Medicaid, CHP+, and Medicare.
This year’s event took place on August 26th in Del Norte, where CRHC chose to honor Rio Grande Hospital and Clinics. The facility recently earned recognition as a Top 10 Hospital and Top 10 Clinic for Overall Performance, and it 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.”
Governor Polis also signed a declaration proclaiming August 23-29, 2026 as Safety Net Clinic Week in Colorado. The proclamation acknowledges that “rural safety net clinics provide essential healthcare treatment and preventive services to vulnerable populations in communities throughout our state” and expresses gratitude for their dedication.
The Colorado Rural Health Center, established in 1991 as the State Office of Rural Health, serves dual roles: assisting rural communities with healthcare issues and advocating for policy change to ensure access to high-quality, affordable care. For more information about CRHC and its initiatives, visit www.coruralhealth.org.
