The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) is Colorado's nonprofit State Office of Rural Health. CRHC works with Federal, state and local partners to offer services and resources to rural healthcare providers, facilities and communities. We have a diverse and inclusive statewide constituency of over 3,500 people and organizations.

The Colorado Rural Health Center was established in 1991 by members of the Colorado Rural Health Consortium with start-up support from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and several other public and private organizations around the state. CRHC was developed as a nonprofit organization and is one of only three nonprofit offices of rural health in the country.

Our mission is to enhance healthcare services in the state by providing information, education, linkages, tools, and energy toward addressing rural health issues. Our vision is to improve healthcare services available in rural communities to ensure that all rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable, high quality healthcare.

Funding and Equipment CRHC supplies organizations with funds and equipment, such as workforce-enhancing loan repayment or scholarships; Federally-granted medical equipment; or technical assistance grants to rural hospitals and communities. We are both a grantor and grantee.

Workforce Support Many of our programs and resources aim to address the healthcare workforce shortage in rural Colorado. We provide recruitment and retention services and connect communities with loan repayment options for their providers.

Educational Opportunities CRHC offers workshops, training programs, and technical assistance to facilities and communities, such as coding, billing, quality improvement, compliance assistance, and an expanded grant writing program. We host Colorado’s Annual Rural Health Conference(s) and the annual Rural Health Clinics Forum, which bring together people and organizations to learn and share information and best practices.

Information, Referrals & Advocacy We develop and distribute information on rural health issues. With our extensive network of partners in the public and private sectors, we are able to provide advice, assistance, referrals, and support for rural health needs. In addition, we advocate on behalf of rural health to change state and Federal policy.