For many, the experience of pregnancy can vary significantly. While one pregnancy may be smooth, others may bring complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia or preterm labor, requiring more intensive care and monitoring.
Accessing adequate maternity care is a challenge in rural communities like Garfield County. The Maternal and Child Health Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, aims to improve the health of mothers, children and families across the state. However, many rural communities still face significant barriers.
The term “maternity care desert” was coined in the early 2010s to describe regions where access to maternity care is severely limited or nonexistent, particularly in rural areas. These communities often lack hospitals or providers capable of delivering maternity services, forcing pregnant individuals to travel long distances to receive care. A 2022 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlighted geographic areas most affected by this issue.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends beginning prenatal care within the first 6-8 weeks of pregnancy, followed by regular checkups every four weeks until 28 weeks, then increasing frequency as the due date approaches. However, the need for nearby providers can make adhering to this schedule difficult in rural areas.
Despite the best plans, long travel distances sometimes lead to emergency roadside births, particularly for those living far from hospitals. A search for hospitals within a 60-mile radius of Carbondale revealed two facilities: Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs (12 miles away) and Aspen Valley Hospital (28 miles away). Both hospitals have Level II neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
While Level II NICUs manage stable, moderately premature infants requiring some support, Level III NICUs care for critically ill or extremely premature infants needing complex, intensive care.
The closest Level III NICU to Carbondale for more advanced neonatal care is at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, approximately 85 miles from Carbondale. A Level III NICU is equipped to provide intensive care for critically ill or very premature newborns, typically those born earlier than 32 weeks gestation.
However, maternity care patients are typically airlifted to a higher-level care hospital in the case of preterm labor or birth, fetal distress and in cases where the mother or child is experiencing life-threatening conditions.
These longer travel distances can increase maternal and infant health risks. According to the 2024 “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” report by March of Dimes, nearby counties like Rio Blanco and Grand are considered maternity care deserts, while Delta County has “low access to care.”
Efforts are underway to address these challenges. In September 2023, the University of Colorado College of Nursing received a $2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand the rural midwifery workforce. This initiative supports students who commit to practicing in rural communities after graduation, to improve access to maternal care.
In 2022, Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 22-1289, which expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months. This expanded coverage offers crucial support for new mothers, particularly in rural areas where ongoing healthcare can be difficult to access. The hope is that such initiatives will encourage more healthcare providers to offer services in rural communities, ultimately improving access to comprehensive maternity care.
While progress is being made, there is still a significant need for better maternity care options in rural communities. Expanding services and support for mothers and babies remains critical to improving outcomes in regions like Garfield County.

For more information and a map showing maternity care deserts by county, visit the March of Dimes webpage at www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report