By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Blizzard Broadcasting.
Memorial Regional Health in Craig has been officially designated as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training facility, by the Colorado Department of Public Health. The new program at MRH is designed to serve rural community across the region, including Hayden, Meeker, Clark Oak Creek, Maybell, Dinosaur, and Baggs, Wyoming.
The first EMT certification program training starts June 1, for aspiring first responders. Classes will be in the evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays, on some classes on Saturdays.
Press Release from Memorial Regional Health; Feb. 17, 2026.
Memorial Regional Health Designated as State-Approved EMT Training Facility MRH will host its first EMT certification program in June
Memorial Regional Health (MRH) has been officially designated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as an approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training facility — a major step forward for rural healthcare workforce development in northwest Colorado. Beginning June 1, MRH will host its first EMT certification program, bringing training opportunities closer to home for aspiring first responders.
“I am so excited that we get to launch an EMT program through the hospital,” said Justin Doubrava, EMS Manager at MRH. “I think it will be a huge opportunity — not just for Craig, but for all the surrounding areas.”
Since the local college discontinued its EMT program in 2021, northwest Colorado has faced a gap in emergency medical training, with the closest option located at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs. At the same time, the region is navigating economic shifts tied to the uncertainty and planned transition of local coal operations, creating a need for accessible career pathways. The new MRH program is designed to serve not just Craig, but communities across the region including Hayden, Meeker, Clark, Oak Creek, Maybell, Dinosaur, and Baggs, Wyoming, while providing workforce training that supports both emergency services and career transition opportunities.
“We have a difficult time recruiting EMTs and paramedics that are also able to live in the area,” Doubrava said. “Right now, we’re running one ambulance 24/7 and covering everything else with personnel who live in town. Being able to hire people that also live in town and in district would be a huge uplift for our system. Having in-town crew members will be a huge relief on our agency.”
First EMT Training Program MRH secured county funding to conduct a feasibility study, which confirmed that a local EMT training program and center would be both viable and greatly needed in northwest Colorado. The team then developed policies, curriculum materials, and operational plans with the support of an EMS education consultant and lead instructor Richard Nichols before submitting the program for state review. After meeting all Colorado requirements and completing revisions, MRH received official approval in January leading to the launch of the program on June 1.
The program is structured to be accessible to a broad range of participants, with evening classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and in-person skills sessions on Saturdays. The curriculum covers foundational medical knowledge, professional expectations, and hands-on preparation for real-world emergency response.
For those considering enrollment, Nichols offers simple advice: “You don’t know what you know until you try it. Come in, get your foot in the door, and see if it’s something that sparks your interest.”
Doubrava noted that EMT certification can open pathways into emergency medical services, hospital emergency departments, seasonal event coverage, search and rescue, or serve as a steppingstone into nursing, radiology, or other healthcare careers. He added that EMS attracts individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
“Not every single person in EMS started in EMS,” Doubrava said. “We have a paramedic who is an attorney and an advanced EMT who was a high school physics teacher. For some, EMS becomes a lifelong career; for others, it serves as a meaningful second career later in life.”
Looking ahead, Doubrava and Nichols say the goal is to establish a sustainable program known for producing well-prepared, high-quality EMTs. The first session will focus on delivering strong instruction, gathering student feedback, and refining the curriculum to ensure continuous improvement. Long term, MRH hopes graduates will be recognized statewide for their preparation and professionalism, while also creating a direct pipeline to train EMTs who support workforce and safety needs throughout northwest Colorado.
MRH EMT Training Program
June 1 – September 12, 2026
Mon/Wed 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Skills Days – in person required)
Cost: $2,637 plus books and background check/drug screen
Hybrid Option: Lectures in person or Teams
BLS CPR Required prior to start
Learn more and apply: www.memorialregionalhealth.com/emt-training-program/
Questions: Contact either Richard.nichols@memorialrh.org or Justin.doubrava@memorialrh.org
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About Memorial Regional Health
Memorial Regional Health is a full-service healthcare system located in, and focused on, caring for Northwest Colorado. The facility includes a 25-bed hospital and a multi-specialty medical and rehabilitation center. Founded in 1946, MRH provides integrated health services in and around Moffat County. To learn more about MRH, visit www.memorialregionalhealth.com.