Since arriving at the University of Northern Colorado in 2018, I have consistently heard from local hospital systems, civic leaders and countless community members about the critical shortage of health care services.
Stories of elderly patients on the Eastern Plains waiting to see doctors who drive across state lines to provide care in our rural communities. Stories of parents taking their children to an emergency room because appointments with a pediatrician are so hard to secure. This shortage is a statewide problem: A staggering 65% of the state’s physician needs are still unmet, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, and in 2023 all but three of Colorado’s 64 counties lacked enough primary care health professionals.
The problem will only get worse as aging doctors retire, and the state’s population continues to grow. This means longer wait times, reduced preventive care and potentially higher health care costs, especially for rural communities and underserved populations who already have less access to health care.
Even with the state’s two existing medical education programs, both the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine are unable to graduate enough students to meet the demand and must turn away thousands of applicants each year.
Enter the University of Northern Colorado. Founded 135 years ago in response to the need for teachers in communities across Colorado, the university was called upon again in the 1960s to help address the state’s critical nursing shortage. Today, UNC is poised to tackle the critical need for health care workers by creating a College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Through this new college, UNC plans to enroll 150 medical students each year, beginning in fall 2026, when the first class comes through our doors.
Graduates of osteopathic medicine receive Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees; graduates of allopathic medical schools receive Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees. Both attend medical school for four years, complete residency training and take national licensing exams.
DOs are trained to take a holistic approach that focuses heavily on prevention. DOs choose to practice primary care twice as frequently as their MD peers and are also far more likely to work in rural communities.
Opening the college requires a significant investment. Construction, startup and accreditation costs will require a minimum of $200 million. The Weld Trust has already given the university a $25 million grant and individual donors have contributed another $6 million. We are asking state legislators to authorize the remaining $169 million for UNC.
In addition to the College of Osteopathic Medicine, House Bill 1231 would provide
another $119 million to cover construction and infrastructure for complementary but unique health care and vet medicine programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University and Trinidad State College.
Beyond increased access to health care, the college at Northern Colorado will be a powerful economic engine, creating jobs, attracting talent and boosting local economies. A newly released economic impact study conducted by Lightcast projects a $1.4 billion boost to Colorado’s economy over the next 20 years, along with $84 million in taxpayer benefits. The study further projects that the new college will continue to positively impact Coloradans well into the future, contributing at least $197.2 million annually in added income to the state’s economy even after the 20-year period analyzed in the study.
While economics are important, the medical college’s true north is to educate future doctors ready to meet the critical health care needs of Coloradans. By investing in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, we are not just adding doctors, we are building a healthier future for all Coloradans, regardless of location.
Andy Feinstein is president of the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
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