Estes Valley Voice: We need to set the record straight: The Estes Valley Voice welcomes UCHealth stepping in to operate Estes Park’s hospital and medical center with the hope that UCHealth can keep the hospital open in Estes Park.

Small, rural community hospitals across the country face financial risk for various reasons, and the editorial team at the Estes Valley Voice believes that the acquisition of EPH by UCHealth presents our community with the best opportunity to sustain and maintain a local healthcare system.

It’s no secret, however, that Estes Valley Voice has had serious concerns about many details in the Park Hospital District’s agreement with UCHealth, particularly the mill levy arrangement: property taxpayers in the Estes Valley will surrender their Park Hospital District property tax money – right now $4.5 million annually based on property valuations – to UCHealth for the next 50 years.

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