Bill > HB1223

This bill addresses the capital needs of rural and frontier hospitals in Colorado by creating a comprehensive study and establishing a task force to oversee the research. The bill acknowledges that many rural and frontier hospitals operate in outdated facilities that have not received meaningful upgrades for decades, with an estimated $500 million to $1 billion in potential facility improvement needs. The Department of Public Health and Environment will conduct or contract a study to evaluate these capital needs, which must objectively measure facilities' code compliance, identify facility ages, evaluate renovation or replacement costs, and estimate total capital needs. A nine-member task force will be created, including representatives from rural hospitals, architects, construction professionals, hospital administrators, and a public member from a rural or frontier area. The task force will develop study parameters, oversee the research, and potentially facilitate contracting with a consulting company. The study must be completed within 18 months and presented to legislative health committees. Importantly, the bill specifies that the study and task force will be funded entirely through gifts, grants, and donations, with no additional state general fund money appropriated. The bill includes a sunset provision, with the study and task force set to be repealed on July 1, 2027.