The University of Northern Colorado opened its new College of Osteopathic Medicine in Greeley on Friday, July 24 [1].

The facility aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce across Colorado and establish new pathways for students to enter medical careers [5]. By increasing the number of trained physicians in the region, the institution seeks to address systemic gaps in healthcare access.

Governor Jared Polis attended the grand opening ceremony at the campus [1]. The new college is housed in a three-story building [3] that spans 110,000 square feet [2]. The facility was constructed on the site of the former Bishop-Lehr Hall on 20th Street [4].

The project required a total investment of $127.5 million [1]. Construction of the medical campus took two years to complete [1]. The development marks a significant expansion of the university's academic infrastructure in Greeley.

Officials said the college will focus on osteopathic medicine, a distinct philosophy of medical care that emphasizes a whole-person approach to health. The opening follows a period of strategic planning to meet the growing demand for medical professionals in the U.S. interior.

“The project required a total investment of $127.5 million.”

The establishment of this college represents a strategic effort to decentralize medical education in Colorado. By placing a medical school in Greeley, the state is positioning itself to attract students and practitioners to rural and underserved areas, potentially reducing the physician shortage in non-metropolitan regions.