releases: https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-requests-va-begin-process-to-establish-a-va-hospital-in-colorado-springs
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.gardner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/gardner-requests-va-begin-process-to-establish-a-va-hospital-in-colorado-springs | Gardner Requests VA Begin Process to Establish a VA Hospital in Colorado Springs | 2020-10-22 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | CO | Cory Gardner | G000562 | www.gardner.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator CoryGardner (R-CO) sent a letterto the U.S. Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) to request that they move forward with the process to review and approve a VA Medical Center location in Colorado Springs. Last week, following a meeting in Aurora with the leadership of the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie, Gardnerannounceda push to establish a VA Hospital in Colorado Springs to increase access to timely services for Colorado veterans. Our nation's veterans deserve timely access to quality care and where gaps exist, theVA should take steps to rectify those breakdowns in accessibility. One such gap exists in El Paso County, Colorado where Census Bureau data indicates that there are over 83,000 veterans living in El Paso County, 16% of the population,wrote Senator Gardner.I hear frequently from veterans in El Paso County about the need for additional access to services. The Rocky MountainVAMedical Center was the culmination of over a decade of advocacy from Colorado veterans and faced countless hurdles from the moment a need was identified in the late 1990s to the day the facility opened its doors in 2018. It is critical that now that the need has been identified for an expansion of services in Colorado Springs that this process moves quickly and effectively. The full text of the letter is availablehereand below: I am writing to request that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) move forward with the process to initiate review and approval of a Veterans Affairs Medical Center location in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am forever grateful to our nation's men and women who served in uniform and it is critical that theVAcontinually take steps to evaluate, identify, and address growing population needs. Our nation's veterans deserve timely access to quality care and where gaps exist, theVAshould take steps to rectify those breakdowns in accessibility. One such gap exists in El Paso County, Colorado where Census Bureau data indicates that there are over 83,000 veterans living in El Paso County, 16% of the population. I have previously written to theVAregarding unacceptable wait times at the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Clinic Outpatient Clinic at Colorado Springs which is located in El Paso County. According toVAdata, veterans seeking a primary care appointment at the PFC Floyd K. LindstromVAClinic currently have to wait an average of 22 days before a new patient can be seen. As the veteran population in El Paso County continues to experience rapid growth, the need for additional health care resources will only increase. I appreciate the briefing on October 16, 2020 from Rocky Mountain RegionalVAMedical Center and Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-19 staff that noted that in fiscal year 2019 the PFC Floyd K. LindstromVAClinic served over 32,000 veterans. This data clearly indicates that the clinic is undersized for the growing veteran population. I hear frequently from veterans in El Paso County about the need for additional access to services. The Rocky MountainVAMedical Center was the culmination of over a decade of advocacy from Colorado veterans and faced countless hurdles from the moment a need was identified in the late 1990s to the day the facility opened its doors in 2018. It is critical that now that the need has been identified for an expansion of services in Colorado Springs that this process moves quickly and effectively. While there is a longer term review of allVAinfrastructure currently scheduled, the Asset Infrastructure Review Commission is not scheduled to submit recommendations to the president until 2023, and if approved through the procedure laid out in theVAMISSION Act (P.L. 115-182), then theVAhas another three years for implementation. I also request that theVAtake steps to consider collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate ways that the two agencies could partner together on this project. In addition to the incredible veteran presence in El Paso County, the county is also home to a vibrant active duty community with four military installations and tens of thousands of military personnel and their families who call Colorado Springs home. I am incredibly proud of Colorado's active duty military strength, courage, and bold vision for the future. The spirit of collaboration that already exists in Colorado Springs between the military installations and the surrounding community has the potential to serve as a catalyst for a groundbreaking partnership between the DoD andVAboth on this project and future healthcare and capital planning initiatives. We cannot delay the process to support veterans and potentially active duty service members living in El Paso County and I urge theVAto move forward with all necessary steps to evaluate, approve a newVAMedical Center, and determine potential for DoD collaboration to meet this need for Colorado. ### Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |