Strengthening Treatment, Referral, Engagement, Access & Medication Management

Care that flows closer to home.

Colorado STREAM is building a statewide network connecting community pharmacies, regional treatment centers, telehealth, and healthcare partners to expand access to opioid use disorder treatment, chronic disease management, and whole-person care in rural Colorado.

Rural Colorado Faces Unique Healthcare Barriers

47

Colorado counties are rural or frontier

722,000

Coloradans live in rural communities

30+ Miles

Many residents live far from healthcare providers

12-15x

Patients see pharmacists far more often than primary care providers

Growing Need for Better Access to Care

Across rural Colorado, thousands of residents face significant barriers to accessing the healthcare they need. Persistent shortages of healthcare providers, long travel distances to clinics and hospitals, and limited access to specialty and behavioral health services make it difficult for many individuals to receive timely, coordinated care. These challenges are compounded by rising rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which require ongoing management and support.

Person counting pink pills in a blue container

Closing the Gaps in Opioid Treatment and Recovery

At the same time, the opioid epidemic continues to disproportionately impact rural communities, where access to evidence-based treatment and recovery services is often limited. Transportation barriers, workforce shortages, and fragmented care systems can delay or prevent people from receiving lifesaving medications and essential health services.

Community Pharmacies: A Trusted Solution

Colorado STREAM was created to address these challenges by leveraging one of the state's most accessible healthcare resources—community pharmacies. By connecting trusted local pharmacists with regional treatment hubs, telehealth services, and coordinated care teams, Colorado STREAM is building a sustainable model that brings comprehensive, whole-person healthcare closer to where rural Coloradans live, work, and thrive.

Building a Sustainable Future for Rural Healthcare

Colorado STREAM is creating a scalable model that strengthens rural healthcare for the future. By investing in workforce development, data-driven evaluation, and strong partnerships, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes, support long-term sustainability, and expand access to medication management, chronic disease care, and other essential health services across Colorado's rural communities.