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Commissioners explore EMS district option as county contract with Castle Rock nears expiration
Summary
With the county's ambulance contract set to expire in mid-2027, commissioners discussed forming an EMS district as one tool to sustain ambulance services; Castle Rock Hospital District CEO said EMS is not statutorily required and urged regional collaboration and pursuit of upcoming state funding.
The board held an initial planning discussion Oct. 21 about whether to pursue forming an emergency medical services (EMS) district ahead of the county's contract with Castle Rock Hospital District, which expires June 30, 2027. The purpose of the conversation was exploratory: commissioners emphasized they are not at a decision point, but want to plan ahead and engage cities and providers.
Bailey, CEO of the hospital district that operates current ambulance services, briefed the board on statewide trends and funding opportunities and cautioned that EMS is not designated as an essential service under Wyoming statute and therefore not guaranteed by law to be funded. "EMS is different than fire and it's different than police ... EMS is not an essential service as designated by any statute in the state of Wyoming. No one is required to fund it," Bailey said, urging collaborative planning and noting the state application for health-transformation funding is due Nov. 1. Commissioners discussed other options, including continuing the contract, joint powers agreements, sales tax measures and a voter decision on a district-funded mill levy. Several commissioners recommended forming a task force with city, hospital and industry representation to study options before any resolution or ballot measure.
