As Colorado continues to grapple with healthcare provider shortages in both rural and urban communities, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is pressing forward with plans to open its proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNC COM) — a project that leaders say could reshape access to medical education and care in the state.

Slated to open in 2026, the next 12 months will be pivotal for UNC COM, as every core component — from infrastructure and curriculum to hiring faculty and enrolling students — is being developed simultaneously.

Construction on the new facility, which broke ground in fall 2024, is well underway. Over the spring and summer months of 2025, construction crews will be pouring the concrete foundation and installing the steel framework for the college’s main academic building. According to university officials, the ambitious project remains on schedule for its targeted completion date of June 1, 2026.

But bricks and mortar are only one part of the equation.

“While concrete forms the literal foundation, the people and coursework constitute the college’s conceptual foundation,” the university stated in a release.

To that end, UNC COM — working in collaboration with its College Advisory Board — has crafted a comprehensive five-year strategic plan spanning 2025 to 2030. This plan outlines everything from educational goals to community partnerships and institutional benchmarks.

At the center of the plan is the college’s guiding mission:
“The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine's singular focus is graduating world-class physicians prepared to practice outstanding osteopathic medicine.”

Achieving that goal begins with official recognition. One of the primary steps on the horizon is securing Pre-accreditation status from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) — a milestone targeted for June 2025. Accreditation is critical not only to establish the program’s credibility but also to enable it to recruit faculty, enroll students, and begin delivering clinical training.

The college’s establishment comes at a time when Colorado and much of the U.S. are facing a growing physician shortage. Osteopathic physicians, known for their holistic approach to medicine, are often drawn to underserved communities and primary care — key areas of need throughout the state.

Beyond academics, UNC officials say the college aims to integrate advanced simulation technology, telehealth training, and rural health initiatives into its curriculum to ensure graduates are equipped for the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery.

While much work remains, university leaders are optimistic that the UNC College of Osteopathic Medicine will emerge not just as a new academic program, but as a cornerstone of Colorado’s healthcare infrastructure.

Originally reported by Debbie Farris in UNCO.