Career Paths Into
Healthcare
"Building Healthier Communities, One Career at a Time"
Across Colorado, people are finding new paths into meaningful healthcare careers — in clinics, hospitals, and community organizations that keep our neighbors healthy. The Career Paths into Healthcare Program (CPHP) helps open those doors, connecting learning, opportunity, and purpose.
CPHP Leadership
Partners & Communities
The University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine leads the Career Paths into Healthcare Program, guiding its design, partnerships, and statewide implementation to strengthen Colorado’s healthcare workforce and improve access to care in rural, frontier, and underserved communities.
The CPHP network includes hospitals, clinics, community colleges, and workforce organizations working together to close the healthcare workforce gap. Our pilot communities — one rural, one urban — are already showing how collaboration builds opportunity. As we expand statewide, we’ll continue learning from partners who share our commitment to stronger communities and better care.
Program Overview
The Career Paths into Healthcare Program (CPHP) brings together educators, healthcare leaders, and community organizations to grow Colorado’s healthcare workforce — from the front desk to the clinic floor. We work side-by-side with local partners to build bridges between education and employment, especially for people who live in rural, frontier, and underserved communities. By aligning training programs with real healthcare needs, CPHP helps residents find stable, well-paying jobs that strengthen local clinics and hospitals while improving access to care for everyone.
Key Statistics
25% of Coloradans rely on Medicaid for healthcare — yet most rural counties face healthcare worker shortages.
50 of Colorado’s 64 counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas.
More than 10,000 nurses will be needed statewide by 2026, along with thousands of medical assistants, lab techs, and support staff.
Two-thirds of Colorado residents live in rural or frontier areas where healthcare access depends on local workforce capacity.
