The Park Hospital District directors are currently considering a 2026 operating budget of $415,750, a significant reduction compared to the $63 million approved for 2025. This adjustment is one of several substantial changes under consideration as the district prepares for UCHealth’s integration of Estes Park Health into its network of healthcare centers.

What comes next is still unclear, but the members of the Park Hospital District Board have begun work to define the board’s role when Estes Park Health becomes UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center on Dec. 1.

At the same time, UCHealth has been preparing to accept responsibility for the local medical center that first opened its doors 50 years ago.

As part of their exploration, PHD directors met with Ann Terry, CEO of the Special District Association of Colorado, on Tuesday to hear more about what the organization could do to assist PHD as it moves forward.

“The struggle is, we really don’t know what we’re going to be doing come Dec. 1, because, literally, all operational responsibility is gone,” said Steve Alper, vice chair of the PDH Board. In addition to certifying a mill levy, transferring funds to UCH, and having an audit performed while complying with legislative requirements, Alper said the question is, “What do we do now?”

Meanwhile, UCHealth is preparing for the switch with a lengthy list of activities for Dec. 1, the day when EPH employees become UCHealth employees.

“We don’t anticipate any changes in the hospital’s leadership team at this time,” Dan Weaver, vice president of communications, said.

“Members of the new Estes Valley Medical Center Board are being determined now, and we hope to announce those members on Dec. 1. UCHealth appreciates the input we’re receiving from community members and leaders of Estes Park,” Weaver said.

As part of the employment transfer, employees will immediately move to UCHealth benefits, receive UCHealth email addresses, and get new UCHealth badges, Weaver said.

“We’ll be providing benefits education sessions and helping employees make those decisions soon. Employees will also have access to our Ascend Career Program. This program enables employees to gain advanced degrees and certifications through tuition reimbursement or fully funded programs. We also offer career coaches to help employees decide on a career path and what courses or degrees they’d like to pursue,” Weaver said.

PHD in the immediate future

The PHD Board has one more regular meeting scheduled prior to becoming a UCHealth subsidiary and UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center. On Nov. 20, among other items to be discussed, the board anticipates determining which two members of the PHD Board to propose to UCHealth for consideration to fill appointments to the new EVMC Board, said Cory Workman, Board chair.

While the agenda for the Nov. 20 meeting at Town Hall has not been released, items that were to be considered during the cancelled Oct. 30 meeting may still be discussed. Included at that time was a discussion on where the PHD will conduct business and an Oct. 24 decision to contract with Linda Lambert for administrative services.

Also on that agenda was a discussion about adopting a resolution authorizing the establishment of a bank account at the Bank of Estes Park.

The Nov. 20 meeting will also likely include a discussion about an expenditure to join the Special District Association of Colorado, which would provide PHD with access to membership benefits that include educational services, a leadership academy, a board member manual, and a guide to special districts.

The board may also consider, on first reading, a budget for 2026 that shows $4,675,261 in revenue, offset by an expense transfer of mill levy and ad valorem revenue totaling $4,259,511. Under the affiliation agreement with UCHealth, PHD is likely to retain only about $200,000 in tax income for regular operations. However, in 2026, the amount to be retained is estimated to be $415,750, allowing for the payment of any remaining 2025 claims.

A full copy of the 2026 budget has been filed in the office of the district and can be viewed by contacting Interim Chief Financial Officer Pam Serbin by calling EPH at 970-586-2317 and making an appointment.

Future PHD direction

PHD directors still have significant responsibilities, Terry told the board. “The buck stops with you,” she said.

Terry talked to the board about the need to adopt and post a transparency policy with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs by Jan. 1. She also discussed Colorado Open
Records Act requirements, saying, “ultimately, it’s your responsibility.”

The future under UCHealth

Visible integration of UCHealth with local medical care facilities is expected to take six to nine months to complete, while the company changes signs on buildings and may require longer than that to rebrand various patient materials, Weaver said.

“Patients may gradually notice other changes, including new services,” Weaver said. However, he emphasized that “patients still will have access to their same physicians and advanced practice providers, their same nurses, and their same locations and services.”

During the coming year, “patient statements will be rebranded, and patients should see some new online payment options,” Weaver said.

Other changes anticipated in the next year include instituting a virtual sepsis monitoring system and expanding the UCHealth biobank, which will provide patients and providers with access to new genetic information about their health.