Rapid community growth results in increase demand for healthcare

The project reflects the rapid growth of Douglas County and the strong demand for convenient, high-quality care in Highlands Ranch. Since its opening in 2019, Highlands Ranch Hospital has been operating near capacity most days. UCHealth broke ground on Pavilion 2 and a second hospital tower in 2023, just four years after the hospital opened, to continue meeting the needs of the growing community.

Services available in Pavilion 2

• Gastroenterology clinic
• Heart and vascular care, including cardiac rehabilitation
• Imaging
• Internal medicine clinic
• Outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Surgery Center of Highlands Ranch

In the coming months, dermatology, executive health, infusion, outpatient laboratory services, pre-procedure services and pulmonary function testing will also open.

Continued investment in Highlands Ranch Hospital

The expansion is part of UCHealth’s continued investment in Highlands Ranch Hospital and the broader south metro Denver region. In addition to Pavilion 2, a new hospital tower is expected to open this fall, expanding the emergency department, adding 70 inpatient beds and creating shelled space for future growth.

Pavilion 2 offers greater access to advanced treatments, specialty clinics, imaging, rehabilitation and outpatient procedures. For many patients, that means fewer trips to metro Denver and more options for coordinated care on the Highlands Ranch campus.

UCHealth ranked No. 29 in Colorado. Forbes based the list on employee surveys and evaluations that looked at workplace culture, leadership, growth opportunities and the overall employee experience. The recognition comes as UCHealth continues to grow its workforce and care for patients at hospitals and clinics across the state.

Forbes’ Best-In-State Employers list recognizes organizations that stand out as top places to work in each state. The 2026 rankings were based on an independent survey of more than 245,000 U.S. employees and more than two million employer evaluations.

Nationally, 2,500 employers are recognized each year, with up to 100 in each state. The list is designed to capture a broad view of employee experience and workplace reputation across industries.

In fiscal year 2025, UCHealth cared for 3 million patients and provided more than $1.6 billion in community benefits, including $762 million in uncompensated care for patients who could not afford to pay.

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The annual list highlights hospitals across seven specialties: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology and gastrointestinal care. The 2026 rankings include 1,375 hospitals nationwide.

UCHealth’s nationally ranked hospitals and their recognized specialties include:

• UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology, orthopedics, pulmonology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins: cancer, heart care, endocrinology, neurology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland: cancer, heart care, endocrinology and gastrointestinal care.
• UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs: gastrointestinal care.

The rankings are based on quality and patient experience scores from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a nationwide survey of doctors and patients, and data from an independent third-party system.

Located at UCHealth’s Boulder Health Center, the clinic allows patients local access to comprehensive hepatology and post-transplant services. For patients who require advanced services, including liver transplant evaluation, the Boulder clinic offers a direct pathway to UCHealth’s multidisciplinary transplant team at University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) on the Anschutz medical campus in Aurora, ensuring continuity of care across every stage of treatment.

Liver disease impacts more than 4.5 million adults and is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States. UCHealth has performed more than 3,000 liver transplants and operates one of the nation's largest non-directed living donor transplant programs. UCHealth’s liver transplant program also reports better-than-expected mortality rates among patients on the liver transplant waiting list compared to national benchmarks, reflecting UCHealth's focus on early evaluation, timely treatment and coordinated care. The expansion into Boulder will further improve access to specialty liver care, helping patients connect with experts sooner and closer to home.

Who is at risk?

Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and harmful chemicals that can pose serious health risks, especially for older adults, children, pregnant individuals and those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions. Even short-term exposure can cause eye and throat irritation and may lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr. Lemery says when the air quality declines, visits to the ER can spike. He warns that people who do not have any pre-existing health conditions can still feel the impacts. 

“It’s also young healthy people we can see come into the ER. I’ve had a triathlete come in during a bad air quality day from wildfires and say, ‘I never knew I had asthma,’ and in fact, they don’t have asthma—they have reactive airway disease from the smoky air,” Lemery said. 

How to protect yourself

When air quality declines due to wildfire smoke, Lemery encourages people to take the following steps:

• Stay updated on air quality conditions.
• If you are close to an active wildfire, be ready to evacuate. Keep a 7-to-10 day supply of medications on hand along with copies of important documents.
• If you can see or smell smoke from fires in Colorado or elsewhere in the West, that means air quality is poor.
• Stay indoors with the windows closed.
• If you have underlying respiratory or cardiovascular disease, avoid exercising outdoors.
• If you have air filters in your home, use them.
• Seek medical attention if they experience shortness of breath and chest pain making it difficult to complete a full sentence. 

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The Lown Institute Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility combines metrics of health equity and value of care with patient outcomes, offering a holistic view of hospitals as community partners. Lown’s annual index includes more than 2,700 hospitals and health systems and evaluates performance on more than 50 measures, including community benefit, inclusivity, cost efficiency, clinical outcomes and patient safety.

Several UCHealth hospitals were also individually recognized with “A” grades in social responsibility.

• UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital (Fort Collins)

• UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies (Loveland)

• UCHealth Grandview Hospital (Colorado Springs)

• UCHealth Greeley Hospital (Greeley)

• UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Aurora)

• UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central (Colorado Springs)

• UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital (Colorado Springs)

About UCHealth

UCHealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit health system that pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Investing $1.6 billion in community benefits including $762 million in uncompensated and charity care each year, UCHealth is Colorado’s largest Medicaid provider and dedicated to the communities it serves. With the region’s only adult academic medical center, University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz campus, UCHealth includes 38,000 employees, 15 acute-care hospitals and thousands of physicians across Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska.

A three-month pilot project on UCH’s Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit uses lifelike robotic cats, dogs and birds designed to provide companionship and emotional support for patients with dementia and delirium-related symptoms.

“We immediately saw incredible responses,” said Becky Fehlig, nurse manager of the ACE unit at UCH. “Many of our patients’ moods change entirely once we bring in a pet for them. It’s really powerful to see.”

The robotic pets respond to touch, sound and interaction, mimicking behaviors of live animals while remaining safe and accessible in a hospital environment. Each patient receives their own pet and can keep them once they’re discharged.

The program is designed for patients with moderate to advanced dementia, particularly those who may be disoriented, anxious or at risk for delirium. Some patients tend to become agitated, distressed or even violent while in the hospital, requiring “sitters” or behavioral health technicians to help calm them down and ensure their safety.

Andrea Cervantes, a charge RN on the ACE unit, says robotic pets have already reduced the need for these interventions by creating calming moments, emotional reassurance and a sense of responsibility during what can often be a stressful hospital stay.

“We see patients who come in really agitated, confused and not talking much, until we bring in a pet,” said Cervantes. “These pets are making patients happy, so it’s making nurses happy, because they’re able to do something that brings joy to the patient.”

Richard Walker, a 74-year-old patient who was brought to UCH after wandering out of his retirement home for multiple hours, named his gray robotic cat “Stuffy.” His sister, Donna Delano, says the connection he was able to build with Stuffy has brought her family peace of mind as well.

“He’s talking. He’s interacting. He’s happy. He looks good. He looks healthier than when he came here. We were scared,” said Delano. “Thanks to that cat, I know that even when I can’t be here, he’s still happy.”

The ACE unit’s pilot project began on April 1 and has benefited dozens of patients so far. Because of the positive results and outcomes, UCHealth plans to expand access to the robotic pets throughout the hospital, including for post-anesthesia patients and those on other acute care units experiencing behavioral or dementia-related symptoms.

"At UCHealth, we are committed to finding innovative approaches that enhance patient care and improve outcomes," said Jen Rodgers, chief nursing officer at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. "This pilot has proven that small interventions can make a significant difference in a patient’s experience. We’re thrilled by the results so far and are excited to bring this program to more patients across the hospital.”

Aurora, Colo. (June 16, 2026) – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) has recognized UCHealth hospitals and clinics as “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders” in the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a national benchmark of inclusive policies and practices that support LGBTQ+ patients, families, and employees.

“This recognition reflects the work happening across our system to create an environment where every patient feels respected, heard and safe,” said David Mafe, UCHealth’s chief diversity officer and vice president of human resources. “It’s not about a single program or policy - it’s about showing up consistently for patients and our community in ways that build trust and improve care.”

The designation follows a comprehensive review of each organization’s policies, practices, and patient experience. The HEI evaluates health systems on areas including nondiscrimination protections, staff training, patient services, employee benefits, and community engagement.

“Health care access for the LGBTQ+ community in 2026 is a tale of both important progress and dangerous setbacks," said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Even amid extraordinary pressure, many healthcare institutions are continuing to show up for LGBTQ+ patients and staff. Doctors want to take care of their patients in the best way they can. Even so, disinformation campaigns are having a real impact on people’s lives. It’s vital for all LGBTQ+ people to get the most accurate information we have on access to care across the country, and we are proud of the ways in which the HEI helps the community understand this.”

The Healthcare Equality Index is the nation’s leading benchmarking tool for evaluating LGBTQ+ inclusion in health care settings.

UCHealth will continue building on this work as part of its broader commitment to improving access, experience and outcomes for all patients.

About UCHealth

UCHealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit health system that pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Investing $1.6 billion in community benefits including $762 million in uncompensated and charity care each year, UCHealth is Colorado’s largest Medicaid provider and dedicated to the communities it serves. With the region’s only adult academic medical center, University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz campus, UCHealth includes 37,000 employees, 15 acute-care hospitals and thousands of physicians across Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska.

The procedure replaces the thumb joint with a small prosthetic ball joint to restore strength, mobility and function while reducing recovery time and post-surgical pain.

The first procedures were performed at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital by a team of hand surgeons who trained in France, Belgium and Switzerland to learn the surgical technique to install the prosthesis.

The Touch CMC1 Dual Mobility Trapeziometracarpal prosthesis has been used successfully in Europe since 2018 but only received conditional FDA approval in the U.S. in 2025. UCHealth is one of only four medical centers participating in the post-approval clinical trial to monitor outcomes in American patients.

“This is a game changer for patients with thumb arthritis,” said Dr. Louis Catalano, hand surgeon and professor of orthopedics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “The new prosthesis allows patients to recover in a matter of weeks, not months. They also experience less pain during recovery and regain more thumb movement and strength afterwards.”

Thumb arthritis affects millions of Americans, especially women older than 40. The condition can make everyday tasks such as opening jars, turning doorknobs, texting or gripping objects painful and difficult. Traditional surgical treatment, thumb CMC arthroplasty, involves removing a small wrist bone called the trapezium and reconstructing the joint using tendon tissue, which often requires lengthy and painful recovery.

“Patients want to return to living their lives as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Fraser Leversedge, chief of hand surgery at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. “Since we began this new procedure, we’re seeing similar outcomes to what we’ve seen in Europe: better outcomes in a few weeks than we’d normally see in a few months.”

Traceyrené Martz Delgado had her surgery in February, becoming the first patient in the western U.S. to receive the implant in her right thumb. She says the procedure changed her life.

“It’s been amazing,” Delgado said of the procedure and her recovery. “After many years, I can finally work, hold my grandson and ride my e-bike without pain or limitations.”

Rather than a cast or a hard splint, which is standard after a traditional thumb CMC arthroplasty, Delgado left her procedure with her hand wrapped in gauze and an ace bandage and only needed two pills of prescribed pain medication.

Delgado plans to get the same procedure done on her left thumb in the future.

Aurora, Colo. – UCHealth is donating $260,150 to Athletics & Beyond following the success of its annual Healthy Swings charity home run derby, an event that brought together professional football players, community leaders and local youth for a day of competition and purpose. Athletics & Beyond is a Denver-based youth mentoring organization that uses sports to empower young people to build confidence, develop leadership skills and succeed in school and life. 

“Healthy Swings is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together around a shared purpose,” said Bill Smith, director, brand partnership activation at UCHealth. “We’re proud to partner with Athletics & Beyond to expand opportunities for young people across Denver - from mentorship and education to exposure to careers they may not have otherwise considered.”

The event featured Denver football players Alex Singleton, Will Lutz, Courtland Sutton and their teammates, who stepped up to the plate to drive donations with every swing. For each hit, UCHealth contributed between $100 and $20,000 

Courtland Sutton led the field as this year’s home run derby winner by hitting two home runs in the championship round. 

“It’s an honor to compete for something bigger than the game,” said Sutton. “Anytime I get a chance to come out here—whether I win or not—to come out here and contribute to a cause, it’s a blessing. Athletics & Beyond is doing important work, and we’re proud to support their mission.” 

Beyond the competition, the day also provided hands-on experiences for students from Athletics & Beyond. Participants had the opportunity to step into sports-related roles, from on-field reporting to working in the media booth, offering a behind-the-scenes look at potential career paths in athletics and media. 

‘We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with UCHealth on this opportunity,” said Narcy Jackson, executive director, Athletics & Beyond. “Funds raised through Healthy Swings will support our mentoring programs, helping to expand access to academic support, leadership development and sports-based enrichment for youth across metro Denver.” 

Each year, UCHealth selects a different nonprofit to benefit from Healthy Swings, reinforcing its commitment to community health and well-being. UCHealth has donated more than $1M to several local and national organizations. Previous charity partners include Freedom Service Dogs, Next Chapter, Food for Thought Denver, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Feeding Colorado, Gold Crown Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

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Aurora, Colo. (April 9, 2026) – Neurosurgery experts with CU Anschutz performed Colorado’s first implanted brain‑computer interface (BCI) surgery at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital marking a significant advance for patients with neurological injury or disease. Commonly known as BCIs, the implanted technology can restore lost motor and sensory function by translating brain signals into actions for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative movement disorders. 

The 41-year-old UCHealth patient who underwent the groundbreaking surgery was in an accident approximately 10 years ago that paralyzed him from the neck down. Now, the implanted device will record and interpret his brain’s electrical signals, learning the relationship between the brain’s activity and his intended behavior. This will allow him to regain function and independence through external devices like controlling a robotic arm and using a computer. The research team will also stimulate sensory areas of his brain to restore sensation, aiming to help the patient feel his hand again for the first time since his injury.

What makes this surgery especially unique is where in the brain the device was placed. The physicians are among the first in the world to implant the technology in higher‑level areas of the brain that allow for more natural and complete sensory and motor control. This approach allows doctors to help restore function in a more complete way, and also allows for rare insight into how the brain turns thoughts into actions.

“This surgery is an important step forward not only for this patient but for neuroscience as a whole,” said Daniel Kramer, MD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UCHealth. “While most BCI procedures focus only on purely motor regions, implanting this device in higher‑level brain areas will offer new insights into how the human brain works during everyday thinking and movement.”

Shaping the future of neurological treatment 

The BCI device will remain implanted for many years, allowing the physicians and researchers to study how brain signals represent complex cognitive tasks, as well as how they change from day to day and respond to stimulation. By gathering unprecedented, detailed data on higher‑level brain functions – such as learning rules, planning, decision‑making, and turning thoughts into action – they aim to lay the groundwork for future treatments for not just pure motor control, but cognition as it relates to control of actions. The hope is that this research will eventually inform new therapies for conditions that affect cognitive control, such as mood disorders or dementia, expanding the potential of brain‑computer interfaces beyond paralysis alone.

“Being able to both perform this surgery and collect and analyze long‑term data from unique areas of the brain places CU Anschutz and UCHealth at the forefront of brain‑computer interface research,” said Luke Bashford, PhD, assistant adjunct professor of neuroscience and neurotechnology at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. “Movement and cognition are uniquely linked. With this research program, we will begin to investigate the ways in which the brain generates and governs these processes.”

Access to advanced research and the possibility of regaining lost abilities  

By offering this advanced brain‑computer interface study in Colorado, UCHealth and CU Anschutz are bringing a leading-edge opportunity closer to home for patients with spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative conditions and cognitive challenges. Patients across the Rocky Mountain region now have access to participate in research that could help shape the future of neurological care by developing more innovative treatment options. 

The research is supported by equipment and funding from Blackrock Neurotech and conducted under a consortium led by Richard Anderson, PhD, at Caltech, with Charles Liu, MD, PhD, at the University of Southern California. To learn more about participating in this BCI study, please contact the study team directly by emailing luke.bashford@cuanschutz.edu.

To learn more about other neurological treatment options available at UCHealth, visit UCHealth Neurosurgery.

Aurora, Colo. (March 30, 2026) – When the Colorado Rockies step up to bat at Coors Field on Friday, a big swing could mean more than another run on the scoreboard. For each home run that strikes the “Hit the Mitt” banner in left field or lands in the left-field tunnel, UCHealth will donate $5,000 to Athletics & Beyond, a Denver-based youth mentoring program that uses sports to empower young people to succeed.

“Sports is the entry point that gets them in the door,” said Narcy Jackson, founder of Athletics & Beyond. “Once they’re engaged, we channel their enthusiasm for competition into lessons about hard work, self-discovery and perseverance. We focus on supporting their academic progress through tutoring, developing life and workforce skills and exploring future career paths.”

Students at Athletics & Beyond can train and compete in a variety of sports, including football, baseball, boxing, wrestling, tumbling and track and field. While sports are central to the Athletics & Beyond identity, its approach also emphasizes academic achievement, exposure to career pathways and equipping students with the tools and mindset needed for long-term success.

“We have had some kids come through this program and actually make it to the NFL,” said Rod Rogers, founder of athlete strategy and former professional football player. “But we also have many other alumni who have used the hard work, discipline and habits they learned here to be competitive in other industries and build great careers as teachers, engineers, businessmen or doctors.”

Each year, UCHealth selects a new nonprofit beneficiary for the “Hit the Mitt” challenge, focusing on organizations that support Coloradans in need. Last season, Rockies players hit the target four times, raising $20,000 for Freedom Service Dogs.

“We’re proud to partner with an organization that is making an impact on the young people in our community,” said Manny Rodriguez, chief marketing, experience and customer officer at UCHealth. “Hit the Mitt is one of many ways we collaborate with the Rockies to give back, and we’re excited to see how many times players can hit a home run for Athletics & Beyond this season.”

About UCHealth 

UCHealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit health system that pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Investing $1.3 billion in community benefits including $570 million in uncompensated care each year, UCHealth is Colorado’s largest Medicaid provider and dedicated to the communities it serves. With the region’s only adult academic medical center, University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, UCHealth includes 37,000 employees, 15 acute-care hospitals and thousands of physicians across Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska. 

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History of the UCHealth Transplant Program

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“At UCHealth, our mission is to provide world-class care to every community we serve,” said Dr. David Williams, president and CEO of UCHealth Medical Group. “With Douglas County and neighboring areas experiencing rapid growth, we are expanding our services in Littleton to ensure that residents have access to high-quality care right in their own community.”

The UCHealth Littleton Medical Center, located in the former Colorado Pulmonary Intensivists (CPI) space, will feature a state-of-the-art pulmonology clinic and an expanded sleep lab, designed to diagnose and treat a wide range of respiratory and sleep disorders with the latest medical technologies. Later this year, the center will introduce a specialized pulmonary lung nodule clinic in partnership with UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital, bringing even more advanced care options to the community.

UCHealth is also pleased to welcome CPI providers Drs. Erin Riggle, Kelly Greene and Robert Ballard, along with nurse practitioners Alecia Brynda and Leah Magestro, to the organization. Their continued dedication to caring for patients in the Littleton area ensures continuity while expanding access to trusted providers close to home.

“We are thrilled to become part of UCHealth and continue caring for our Littleton patients,” said Dr. Kelly Greene. “By joining UCHealth, our patients will gain access to expanded services at Littleton Medical Center, all while maintaining the trusted relationships they’ve built with our team over the past 15 years.”

The new medical center is expected to serve more than 7,000 patients in its first year, offering convenient features such as online appointment scheduling and secure access to medical records through UCHealth’s patient portal. Patients will experience a personalized approach to care, with services tailored to meet their unique health needs.

As part of its ongoing mission, UCHealth continues to invest in affordable care, behavioral health initiatives and workforce development—strengthening Colorado’s health care infrastructure and supporting the well-being of local residents.

Just nine minutes later, at 1:10 a.m., UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs welcomed baby girl Bultez, daughter of Carina and Corbin Bultez. She is the couple’s first child and will join two Golden Retriever siblings.

Additional UCHealth New Year’s babies include:

• UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont welcomed Vellah Johnson at 1:18 a.m. She is the daughter of Angelina Villarreal and Tyrone Johnson.
• UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora welcomed Avila Aguilar at 5:25 a.m. He is the son of Rosalyn and Miguel Aguilar.
• UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland welcomed Jameson Wilder Egli, born at 12:14 p.m. He is the son of Rachel and Jordan Egli.

These joyful arrivals highlight the dedication and compassion of UCHealth’s team members, who are privileged to help families celebrate life’s most treasured moments. With every new birth, UCHealth continues its mission to provide outstanding care and support to Colorado’s growing families. In 2025, UCHealth hospitals delivered 18,365 babies. Additional information about UCHealth can be found here.