Weld County OKs memorandum of understanding to preserve continuity of shared EHR system

The Weld County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved Contract ID 9938, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Northern Colorado Health Alliance (NCHA) concerning the county's shared athenaOne electronic health-record (EHR) system.

Jason Cheshire of the Weld County Health Department said the county and NCHA share the athenaOne platform, which yields significant cost savings; the county's existing five-year agreement expires in November 2026. The MOU establishes notice and timing provisions so the county would have sufficient lead time to implement a different EHR platform if NCHA decides to discontinue the collaboration before contract expiration. "It takes a long time and it's a lot of work to implement a new E.M.R.," Cheshire said, recommending board approval of the MOU.

Commissioner Peppler moved to approve Contract ID 9938; Commissioner Maxey seconded and the board approved the MOU by voice vote. The MOU does not change the underlying EHR contract with athenaOne but documents coordination and transition planning between Weld County and NCHA.

No public comment or additional staff detail on costs or transition timelines was offered during the meeting.