Originally established in 1885 as the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Hospital, the facility has deep historical roots in the region. In 1976, the Salida Hospital District was formed, transforming the institution into a community-governed entity. The hospital moved to its current state-of-the-art facility at 1000 Rush Drive on April 1, 2008, enabling advanced medical technology and practices in a rural setting. HRRMC is a certified Level IV Trauma Center and a Critical Access Hospital capable of treating severe, life-threatening injuries.
As an employer, HRRMC positions itself as a cornerstone of its community, emphasizing excellence, compassion, and innovation. The facility offers a range of services including emergency care, surgery, imaging, psychiatric care, dialysis, neurology, and sleep medicine—specialties often not found in other rural hospitals. For nurses, the work environment is described as collaborative and patient-centered, with close coordination among patients, surgeons, anesthesia providers, and ancillary departments. The organization actively promotes the lifestyle advantages of living in Chaffee County, which features more 14,000-foot peaks than any other Colorado county, offering skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, river rafting, and a vibrant arts community.
Mission: To enhance the health of our community through the delivery of personalized and exceptional care. Vision: To be the healthcare provider of choice for our region as a world-class rural medical organization. Eight core values guide employee behavior: Teamwork, Safety, Recognition, Talent, Attitude, Accountability, Customer Service, and Respect. The organization emphasizes putting the 'care' in healthcare by providing quality care close to home.
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