BREAKUP

the partnership is dissolved, CommonSpirit will independently manage: Longmont United Hospital; OrthoColorado Hospital in Lakewood; Mercy Hospital in Durango; Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Hospital, both in Colorado Springs; St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood; St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster; St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Frisco; St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan; St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo; and St. omas More Hospital in Cañon City. e chain will also manage three hospitals in Kansas — Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses; St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City; and St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City — as well as a new hospital opening this summer in Colorado Springs.

AdventHealth owned the other ve hospitals currently part of Centura: Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville; Castle Rock Adventist Hospital; Littleton Adventist Hospital; Parker Adventist Hospital; and Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver.

Baumgarten, the health care consultant, said the news reminded him of a similar breakup that happened in Illinois in 2021, when AdventHealth and the Catholic-a liated said it would further stigmatize and discriminate against trans and nonbinary athletes.

A recent survey done by the Trevor Project found that 85% of trans and non-binary youth say legislation targeting their rights has negatively impacted mental health.

In a public statement, Douglas County’s only Democratic representative, Rep. Bob Marshall, DHighlands Ranch, said the bill was misnamed as it had no legitimate purpose and it addressed no real issue or problem regarding women’s rights in athletics.

He said that the primary sponsors could not provide a case where the bill would apply in Colorado, calling it a solution searching for a problem.

“It’s disappointing that the entire Douglas County GOP State House delegation sponsored a messaging bill meant to attack transgender kids’ right to exist,” Marshall said in a press release.

Marshall added that the bill was a distraction from the necessary work that needs to be done such as increasing teacher compensation, improving water quality and ensuring equal treatment for disabled veterans.

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Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org e Catholic hospitals in the Centura system do not perform abortions and will perform sterilization procedures only rarely — something that Centura had recently re-emphasized at Mercy Hospital in Durango. e news release contained no mention of what will happen with people employed directly by Centura Health, as opposed to an individual hospital. at includes CEO Peter Banko, who has led Centura since 2007. is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Ascension broke up a partnership they had formed named Amita. In that divorce, Baumgarten said it was likely that the two sides disagreed about how to grow the joint company.

Centura has been around longer, though, Baumgarten said, and it was not immediately clear to him what might be driving the split. He mentioned possible tensions over Catholic health directives, especially in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“It’s also not unusual to have disputes about money,” he added.

Spring cleaning is at your curbside

Do you have hazardous waste from a painting project, old oil from your car’s maintenance, or other waste from your recent DIY project? This curbside service is available to Douglas County residents for $30. For details call 1-800-4497587 or visit douglas.co.us and search Household Waste Management.

Skip the trip - motor vehicle services just a click away. Renew your driver license or motor vehicle registration and more from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop. You can also renew vehicle registrations at MVExpress kiosks. Find information at DouglasDrives.com

Funds available to veterans

Emergency assistance is available for veterans struggling with housing (mortgage/rent), transportation, employment, healthcare or other emergency needs. To apply for the veteran assistance funds, visit douglasveterans.org or call 303-663-6200