Ousted surgeon's supporters pack Aspen hospital board room

Aspen Valley Hospital officials revealed during a Monday board of directors meeting that the health care facility received an unfavorable review from state health-facility regulators last year that put its status as a Level III trauma center in question. Dropping to a Level IV would mean that the hospital would be required to pass along certain emergency cases to other hospitals. Remaining at Level III was one of the reasons why the hospital elected to contract with a Denver company, Surgical Services of Colorado, to provide two surgeons for the hospital, officials said.