Children's Hospital Colorado facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Children's Hospital Colorado
Geography
Location	13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, Colorado, United States
Coordinates	39°44′28″N 104°50′10″W / 39.741°N 104.836°W / 39.741; -104.836
Organization
Care system	Not-for-profit
Hospital type	Children's Hospital
Affiliated university	University of Colorado Denver
Services
Emergency department	Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center
Helipad	(FAA LID: 2CD8)
Beds	More than 600
History
Founded	1908; 117 years ago (1908)

Children's Hospital Colorado is a top-ranked hospital system just for kids. Its main hospital is in Aurora, Colorado, with other hospitals and clinics across the state. It is a special kind of hospital called a teaching hospital. This means that new doctors come here to learn how to care for children.

The hospital works with the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. It has over 600 beds and provides care for babies, kids, teens, and young adults up to age 21. Sometimes, it even treats adults who need special pediatric care.

Children's Hospital Colorado is the only hospital in the state that is a member of the CHA. It has a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, which means it can handle the most serious emergencies. A helipad on the roof allows helicopters to bring in very sick patients quickly.

History

Early Days

Long ago, in the late 1800s, many families moved to Colorado. They hoped the sunny, dry weather would help their sick children get better. In 1897, a group of volunteers started a summer hospital for babies in a park.

These volunteers wanted to build a permanent hospital for sick and injured children. On May 9, 1908, they officially created The Children's Hospital. In 1910, they opened their first building in a former house in Denver. It had 30 beds.

A New Home

The hospital quickly became very popular and needed more space. By 1917, they had raised enough money to build a brand-new hospital in Denver. This new building was much bigger, with 100 beds and the best medical tools of the time.

After many years and expansions, the hospital moved again. On September 29, 2007, it opened its current main hospital in Aurora. This modern building has 284 beds and is filled with colorful art to help kids feel better. In 2011, the hospital changed its name to Children's Hospital Colorado to be unique.

A Complicated Founder

One of the people who helped start the first hospital was Dr. Minnie C.T. Love. She was one of the first women elected to the Colorado government. However, she is a controversial person in history because she was part of groups that held racist and harmful beliefs. Children's Hospital Colorado has stated that it does not support Dr. Love's views and does not honor her today.

Recent Events

• In 2020, actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Microsoft gave Xbox Series X game consoles to the hospital. This was part of a project to bring fun to kids in 20 children's hospitals across the country.
• In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Children's Hospital Colorado as one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the United States.

Special Programs

Children's Hospital Colorado has many special programs to give kids the best care.

• Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center: This is the only center in Colorado that provides the highest level of emergency care for injured kids.
• Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): This is the highest level of care for newborn babies who are very sick. The NICU here treats almost 750 babies every year from all over the region.
• Heart Institute: This is the largest center for children's heart problems in the area. It helps over 20,000 patients each year.
• Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders: This is the only center in the Rocky Mountain region just for kids with cancer. It has special programs for teens with cancer and for brain tumors.
• Orthopedics Institute: This program helps kids with problems related to their bones, muscles, and joints.
• Breathing Institute: Doctors here have created many of the methods used today to treat breathing problems in children.

Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado in Colorado Springs

The hospital has many locations to make it easier for families to get care. As of 2022, some of these locations include:

• Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora (the main hospital)
• South Campus, Highlands Ranch
• North Campus, Broomfield
• Children's Hospital Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs
• Many other outpatient and therapy care centers in Centennial, Wheat Ridge, and other cities.

Awards and Rankings

Children's Hospital Colorado is often named one of the best children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Here are some of its national rankings for 2024–25.

See also

• Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation
• List of children's hospitals in the United States