CO hospitals bring $18.8B in economic activity to state

Colorado hospitals were responsible for about $18.8 billion in economic output last year, according to an impact study released Wednesday by a trade association. The Colorado Hospital Association commissioned the report to study the employment stability of the health care sector and the impact hospitals have had during the economic downturn. The study, conducted by Colorado State University, found that hospitals in the state employed nearly 72,000 people last year and that spending by the facilities and their workforce created another 61,400 jobs. "Hospitals are important to all aspects of health, whether we're referring to the physical health of our family, friends and neighbors or the economic health of the community," hospital association president and chief executive Steven Summer said.