HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240670.tiffOFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-400-4200
FAX: 970-336-7233
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, CO 80632
March 11, 2024
An Open Letter of Support for HB 24-1231
Dear Members of the Colorado Legislature:
As a bipartisan coalition of business, community, civic, and nonprofit leaders, we are dedicated to the health and
well-being of every Colorado resident and wish to express our support in HB 24-1231. This bill will increase the
health professions workforce and infrastructure across the state, by preparing more doctors, nurses, veterinarians and
allied health professionals in partnership with UNC, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State
University and Trinidad State College.
UNC's College of Osteopathic Medicine is uniquely positioned to address Colorado's growing physician shortage
by graduating an additional 150 doctors each year. Colorado is projected to need 1,800 additional primary care
physicians by 2030 and UNC is poised to respond. This new College of Osteopathic Medicine will also boost
Colorado's economy by $1.4 billion over the next 20 years, with half a billion of that impact ($500.2 million)
remaining in Weld County, according to a recently completed independent economic impact study.
By establishing a College of Osteopathic Medicine, UNC will help meet a critical need for our community and the
state. Because of UNC's diverse student body and its history of excellence in the health sciences, housing a College
of Osteopathic Medicine is a natural fit for the university.
UNC launched the College of Osteopathic Medicine initiative following conversations with local hospital systems
and community leaders. Those conversations were driven by concerns about Colorado's growing need for more
physicians and the university's role in addressing that challenge.
Opening the College of Osteopathic Medicine requires a minimum investment of $200 million, and HB24-1231 will
secure the remaining $169 million. Donors to the university are already showing their support for this project by
investing alongside the university. Those gifts, combined with a record -setting gift of $25 million from The Weld
Trust, total over $31 million for this initiative.
We ask that you help address Colorado's physician shortage and strengthen its health profession workforce by
supporting HB 24-1321 on behalf of UNC's College of Osteopathic Medicine and its three higher education
partners.
Sincerely,
Kevin Ross
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
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