Ballot question could lead to Estes hospital affiliation

ESTES PARK – Taking a major step in its drive toward affiliation with a larger health care network, Estes Park Health’s board of directors on Thursday voted unanimously to ask voters in its taxing district to approve a ballot measure allowing the board to enter into a multiple-year financial obligation that would be part of any affiliation agreement.

The ballot measure, which would be decided May 2 by voters in the Park Hospital District, is necessary under Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights, even though the issue itself would not raise taxes.

Estes Park Health has been in discussions with other health care…