Persistence Matters: Why We Keep Showing Up for Platte Canyon Healthcare

There’s something powerful about a community that refuses to give up on what matters.

This year marks the third time a proposal for a Platte Canyon Health Services District will be presented to the Park County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Three years of volunteer work. Three years of refining language. Three years of addressing concerns raised in prior hearings. Three years of showing up.

And we are showing up again.

Why Persistence Matters

Community change rarely happens on the first try. It takes time. It takes listening. It takes adjusting. And most of all, it takes persistence.

Each year, we have worked diligently to respond to the questions and issues raised by the BOCC. We have clarified structure, funding mechanisms, governance, and oversight. We have revised and strengthened the proposal. We have done the work.

Because access to healthcare is not a minor issue. It’s foundational.

When something directly affects the daily lives, safety, and well-being of residents, persistence isn’t stubbornness — it’s responsibility.

This is about our Right to Vote.

We want to be clear: We are not asking the BOCC to approve the Health District. We are asking them to approve the proposed plan to allow it to be place on the ballot this fall. So the people it affects can vote. It is up to the residents in the proposed district to decide for ourselves.

That’s it.

We believe the people of Platte Canyon deserve the right to vote on a proposal that affects their healthcare access. Whether someone supports or opposes the idea of forming a health district, the fundamental principle remains the same:

If it affects us, we should have a voice in deciding it.

The Reality We’re Facing

Healthcare access in our area is not improving — it is becoming more limited. Options that existed even a year ago have narrowed. Residents are often forced to drive nearly an hour into the city just to see a doctor.

That is not sustainable for families.It is not ideal for seniors.It is not safe in emergencies.

A local health services district would give our community the ability to pursue healthcare solutions closer to home. It would allow us to explore partnerships, recruit providers, and invest in infrastructure designed specifically for Platte Canyon.

But first, we need the opportunity to vote.

The Power of Showing Up Again

Persistence is about more than repeating a request. It’s about demonstrating commitment. It’s about proving that this is not a fleeting idea — it’s a deeply held community priority.

We know meaningful change often requires multiple attempts. History shows that many of the institutions and services communities rely on today were built because someone kept asking, kept refining, and kept believing.

We are doing that now.

We hope the third time is the charm.

Not because we expect automatic agreement — but because we believe in the democratic principle that decisions affecting our community should be decided by the people who live here.

Healthcare is critical. Access matters. And Platte Canyon deserves the right to vote.