Source: 9News

January 15, 2025

Demolition has begun on the site of what will become the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), marking a step forward in the state’s efforts to tackle its health-care worker shortage.

The construction project is supported by House Bill 1231, which is aimed at addressing the need for more health-care professionals in Colorado.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 59 counties in the state are designated as “shortage areas,” and only about one-third of the state’s physician needs are being met.

The building on the UNC campus, which was once a K-12 school, is being turned into facility designed to support the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Beth Longenecker, the founding dean of the school, said osteopathic medicine is a more holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing the connection between mind, body and spirit when caring for patients.

Longenecker said her team is working on staffing, police and curriculum, so they can hopefully start recruiting students in June.

 “We are in a hiring frenzy,” Longenecker said. “Our first class will begin in August 2026.”

For Longenecker, this construction represents years of planning finally turning into reality.

“This project will help to address the shortage by bringing students into the state, training them here, and hopefully keeping them here,” Longenecker said.

She said right now, there are only two medical schools in Colorado. This new UNC school should have around 150 new graduate each year.

“Colorado has seen a huge population boom, and we only have two medical schools,” she said.