DENVER – The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council has awarded more than $1.9 million in grants to strengthen healthcare delivery in rural communities. More than $800,000 of that money will go to healthcare IT projects.

"As we continue toward our goal of providing access to high quality, affordable healthcare to all Coloradans, it is critical that we support our rural communities," said Gov. Bill Ritter. "This first round of grants will make an immediate and significant impact in improving access to and quality of care."

In its inaugural round, the Council awarded 52 grants ranging from $1,600 to $50,000 to physical, mental and oral healthcare providers in 34 Colorado counties for infrastructure projects. The healthcare IT grants will go to 22 providers and total more than $800,000.

Grantees include federally qualified health centers, rural hospitals, public health departments, public and private health clinics and school-based health centers. The grants will support construction and remodeling projects, equipment and supplies, staff training, transportation and health information technology.

The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program was established in August 2007 and is funded with a $7.5 million gift to the state from UnitedHealthcare. The funds will be distributed over six years.

"UnitedHealthcare is committed to investing in a healthier Colorado and expanding quality healthcare services to rural communities throughout the state," said Beth Soberg, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. "Grants to diverse community health organizations statewide ... will help improve the healthcare delivery system for everyone, including underserved populations."

The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council is co-chaired by Colorado's Chief Medical Officer, Ned Calonge, MD, and United Healthcare's Market Medical Director, Jacqueline Stiff, MD, and includes healthcare consumers, rural healthcare providers and representatives from the governor's office, the Division of Insurance at the Department of Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Department of Local Affairs.