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Our History
The Beginning
The Estes Park Health Foundation was established in 1986 as the charitable partner of Estes Park Health, created to support the long-term sustainability and excellence of local healthcare in the Estes Valley.
While the Foundation itself began in 1986, its roots ran even deeper. Community-supported healthcare has long been a defining value in Estes Park. When the original hospital opened in 1975, it was built without federal or state funding, made possible entirely through local generosity and commitment to caring for neighbors.
The Foundation was formed to carry that spirit forward, ensuring that as healthcare needs grew and technology advanced, the Estes Valley would continue to have access to high-quality, local care.
Building a Culture of Community Philanthropy
Over the years, the Foundation played a key role in strengthening healthcare in the Estes Valley by:
- Raising funds for essential medical equipment and facility upgrades
- Supporting programs and services not covered by operating revenue
- Increasing awareness of the importance of quality accessible, local healthcare
- Partnering closely with the hospital to identify and meet evolving needs
Through annual campaigns, donor gifts, grants, and community events, the Foundation has helped fund critical initiatives, ensuring that residents and visitors alike have access to quality care close to home.
A Trusted Partner in a Changing Healthcare Landscape
For decades, the Estes Park Health Foundation has remained closely aligned with Estes Park Health (now UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center), serving as its primary philanthropic arm.
As the healthcare landscape has evolved, including the transition of Estes Park Health into the UCHealth system in 2025, the Foundation continues to adapt while staying rooted in its core purpose.
Today and Beyond
Today, the Foundation builds on four decades of service, guided by the same principles that inspired its creation: community partnership, responsiveness to local needs, and a belief that access to quality care is for everyone.
From early grassroots support to modern fundraising, the Estes Park Health Foundation remains an important connector between community generosity and community health, helping ensure that excellent care is available right here in Estes Valley, now and for generations to come.
Our mission is partnering for a healthier, stronger Estes Valley.