Healthcare cuts put nine Colorado hospitals at risk of closure; FEMA denies Colorado aid for last year’s flooding & fires; Crews contain fire near Longmont Waste Diversion Center

Headlines Thursday, April 16, 2026

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    Healthcare cuts put nine Colorado hospitals at risk of closure; FEMA denies Colorado aid for last year’s flooding & fires; Crews contain fire near Longmont Waste Diversion Center KGNU News

Healthcare cuts put nine Colorado hospitals at risk of closure

A new report has been released by Public Citizen, finding that nine hospitals across Colorado are among those most at risk of reducing medical services or, in more severe cases, potential closure, as a result of Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act

The nine found most at-risk include Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, Longmont United Hospital, and Denver Health Medical Center, to name a few. The report defines “high-risk” hospitals as those that have at least 20% payer mix from Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), or other government programs, and negative net profit margins on average from 2022 through 2024.

Senator John Hickenlooper said in a statement, “Colorado hospitals are at risk because the White House cut health care to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest, all while families are paying double or triple for care. We won’t stop fighting to make health care more affordable and accessible for every Coloradan.”

 

FEMA denies Colorado aid for last year’s flooding & fires

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has denied Colorado’s appeal for a major disaster declaration for two natural disasters that occurred last year.

The denial means federal dollars will not aid recovery efforts. This is the first time in 35 years that the state has been denied federal aid as part of a major natural disaster declaration. 

Last August, the Lee and Elk fires and mudslides in Rio Blanco County caused initial damage of almost $27.5 million. That number is expected to grow over time.

Meanwhile, historic flooding in western Colorado last October caused almost $14 million in damage to roads and surrounding infrastructure.

Governor Jared Polis said in a statement, “Colorado communities have done everything right – responding quickly, documenting the damage, and working in good faith with federal partners – only for the Trump administration to deny funding to help Colorado communities recover.”

Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper called the refusal “callous” and said it hurts rural Coloradans and leaves them “footing the bill.” The state said it would continue to work with the communities impacted to find a path forward.

This story was reported by the Colorado Capital News Alliance.

 

Crews contain fire near Longmont Waste Diversion Center

Late Tuesday afternoon, Longmont firefighters responded to a sudden blaze near the city’s Waste Diversion Center. 

Longmont city spokesman Rogelio Mares said in a news release, “The fire appears to have originated near a recycling plant and railroad tracks, not far from our Wastewater Facility. Crews were able to reach the scene and contain the fire. They will remain in the area to clean up.” 

The fire is 100% contained, but the cause remains under investigation.

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All Roads to begin limiting stay times at shelters

All Roads, the non-profit that operates Boulder’s main homeless shelter, has announced that it will begin limiting stays to 10 days for people without demonstrated ties to Boulder County, unless they have lived in the county for at least six months, became homeless locally, or can show another connection, like a family member or job.

The policy takes effect May 4 and will be paused during the winter months. It is intended to concentrate services on those with local connections and reduce the number of homeless people in Boulder, according to All Roads.

The policy is being rolled out as a pilot. The shelter plans to track whether it reduces homelessness in Boulder and how it impacts the length of stay.

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