New HRRMC CEO outlines $30M–$32M campus expansions, $10M EHR project and fundraising plans

John Tucker, the new chief executive officer at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, told Chaffee County leaders the hospital is planning multiple capital projects and is monitoring uncertainty in federal Medicaid funding.

Tucker said the hospital’s board has voted to pursue a front‑of‑hospital expansion estimated at about $10,000,000 and a back‑of‑hospital expansion of roughly $10,000,000–$12,000,000 to enlarge surgery, imaging and materials‑management space. Separately, he said an electronic health record (EHR) modernization is expected to cost about $10,000,000. Tucker also described a foundation application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for a PET/CT scanner that he said costs about $1,700,000.

The hospital faces “caution” as it tracks possible federal Medicaid funding reductions. “Medicaid is primarily the target of kind of these reductions in federal spending,” Tucker said, noting state and federal budget interactions. Tucker added the organization is “fortunate” to be financially stronger than many rural peers and will continue recruitment and service expansion while remaining cautious about revenue changes.

Tucker said the hospital plans to add rehabilitation, physician office space and a wound care center on the front of the campus, and to expand surgery, imaging and materials management in a separate project at the rear of the campus. He described discussions about a roughly $1.7 million PET/CT application through DOLA and outreach to members of Congress for federal funding assistance.

On clinical services, Tucker said HRRMC plans to introduce robotic surgery capabilities and that doing so requires additional investments in sterilization and staff training. “It’s not just the kind of plugging in a new machine and having it work,” he said; sterilization equipment and operational needs must be addressed.

Tucker said the hospital employs about 800 people across the organization and approximately 600 full‑time equivalent positions, and that staffing remains a persistent challenge; HRRMC uses hospital association survey data to remain competitive in pay. He described a pilot non‑emergency medical transportation van based at the Westcliff location and said the hospital is exploring further transportation expansions to ease travel to the Front Range for specialized care.

Tucker also described prior master planning at the BV campus for a potential 40,000 square‑foot expansion to serve northern parts of the county and said the board may revisit that plan. He encouraged partnerships with local training providers for workforce development.

Tucker reminded the audience that the hospital district will hold elections with three board seats up for election and voting set for 7 a.m.–7 p.m. at the hospital and at Mountain Heights Baptist Church; Juanita Ward is the district’s designated election officer. Tucker said absentee ballots will be mailed beginning April 14.

Community members at the meeting raised questions about operational costs tied to robotic surgery, assisted‑living capacity in the valley and other clinical services; Tucker answered that the hospital is considering sterilization upgrades and that many surgeons have prior experience with robotic platforms.

The hospital asked for letters of support from community groups and noted ongoing fundraising and grant applications, including outreach to Congresswoman Pedersen and senators’ offices.

Ending

Tucker characterized HRRMC as “eager” to expand local services to reduce patient travel, while remaining attentive to staffing and funding constraints. The hospital plans further community forums and fundraising outreach as its capital and clinical plans progress.