Conejos County Hospital Awarded $1,556,235.00 Through Colorado Rural Health Transformation Program

Funding will support critical improvements benefiting patients and communities across the San Luis Valley.

Conejos County Hospital has been awarded $1,556,235.00 through Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities, expand healthcare technology, and support the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare services in Conejos and Costilla counties and surrounding region.

The funding is part of nearly $170 million in RHTP grants directed by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to rural healthcare providers across Colorado. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), these investments will help protect access to care and support better health outcomes in Colorado's rural and frontier communities.

Conejos County Hospital will use its RHTP award to support projects focused on healthcare infrastructure improvements, emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and healthcare technology enhancements that strengthen the delivery of care for the communities it serves.

These investments will help ensure residents of Conejos County, neighboring Costilla County, and the entire San Luis Valley continue to have access to quality healthcare services close to home. Funding will support improvements that enhance patient care, strengthen operational readiness, and improve the hospital's ability to respond to the healthcare needs of the region.

As a frontier hospital serving communities spread across a large geographic area, Conejos County Hospital plays an important role in providing local access to care. These projects will help strengthen the hospital's long-term sustainability while supporting its ability to meet both current and future community healthcare needs.

"This award represents an important investment in the future of healthcare for the communities we serve," said Zachary Weiderspon, Administrator of Conejos County Hospital. "These projects will help Conejos County Hospital strengthen emergency preparedness, invest in critical infrastructure and technology, and continue providing essential healthcare services close to home for residents of Conejos County, Costilla County, and the communities across the San Luis Valley."

Through this award, Conejos County Hospital will:

• Healthcare Infrastructure Improvements — Support facility and equipment enhancements that improve patient care and operational efficiency.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response — Strengthen the hospital's ability to respond to emergencies and support community readiness across the San Luis Valley.
• Healthcare Technology Enhancements — Expand technology solutions that improve care delivery, access, and patient experience.
• Rural Healthcare Sustainability — Invest in resources that help preserve local healthcare services for residents of Conejos and Costilla counties.

Colorado is directing $169,587,181 in RHTP grants to rural healthcare providers across the state. Through a highly competitive application process, 91 applicants and approximately 250 projects were selected to receive funding across 52 rural or frontier counties and three rural census tract counties.

A complete list of Colorado Rural Health Transformation Program awardees and additional information about RHTP is available on theRHTP website.

About Conejos County Hospital

Conejos County Hospital, a part of San Luis Valley Health, provides essential healthcare services to residents of Conejos County, Costilla County, and surrounding communities. The hospital is committed to improving access to quality rural healthcare through patient-centered services, community partnerships, and ongoing investment in the health and well-being of the region.

About the Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a five-year federal initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designed to strengthen healthcare access and improve health outcomes in rural and frontier communities. The program supports investments in workforce development, innovative care models, technology-enabled services, and health system sustainability. The program was authorized underSection 71401 of H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) to provide grants totaling $50 billion in federal funding nationwide from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 through FFY 2030.

From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Colorado’s award totals $200,105,604.17 for the first year of the program to support rural health transformation efforts across the state and is 100% funded by CMS. The contents of this release are those of Conejos County Hospital and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.