Gov. Polis signs bill into law for University of Northern Colorado Osteopathic Medical School

An architect’s drawing of a building that could serve as home to the University of Northern Colorado’s college of osteopathic medicine in Greeley. The state of Colorado on Friday, April 26, 2024, approved $127.5 million in funding for the Denver building as part of a $246.9 million package for health care-related education at three other schools of higher learning. (Courtesy/University of Northern Colorado).

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill earlier this week that authorizes funding for four health care projects at colleges of higher education, including a college of osteopathic medicine at the University of Northern Colorado.

Thanks to the governor’s signature on House Bill 2024-1231, UNC will officially receive approximately $127 million in state aid to build the college, which will be the state’s third medical school.

The Colorado House of Representatives and Senate passed the bill totaling $247 million last month, leaving only Polis’ signature to complete UNC’s years-long effort to bring the school to Greeley.

Polis signed the bill Wednesday afternoon in his office in the state capital of Denver. The bill also included funding for Metropolitan State University of Denver, Trinidad State College and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

While UNC’s portion provides the lion’s share of the appropriations, the bill also funds important projects at three other institutions: $50 million for Colorado State to expand its veterinary school, $50 million for Metropolitan State University of Denver to expand its health institute and $19.4 million for the expansion of its health institute. for Trinidad State College to renovate the Valley Campus main building.

Today was a great day for it @UNC_Colorado while Governor Polis signed HB24-1231, which will authorize funding for our proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. Thanks to our sponsors @RepMaryYoung, @SenKirkmeyer, @LindseyForCO, @KyleMullica, for their leadership. Go bears! pic.twitter.com/lJqtKvMSN9

— Andy Feinstein (@PresFeinstein) May 1, 2024

The bill’s sponsors were state Reps. Mary Young, D-Greeley, and Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Sens. Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Kyle Mullica, D-Adams County.

“I am so excited that Colorado will now have a new medical school in Greeley,” Polis said in a statement from his office. “With this investment, Colorado will train more world-class doctors, nurses, veterinarians and other healthcare professionals to provide Coloradans with the care they need. These new opportunities will attract students from Colorado and across the country to our communities, strengthening our healthcare workforce and supporting our economy. I thank the sponsors for their work on this bill.”