Is Denver Health mostly funded through taxpayer dollars? 

Nearly 60% of Denver Health’s $1.5 billion in revenue comes from public funding through Medicare and Medicaid. 

The Denver Health hospital provides health care to almost a quarter of Denver’s residents each year. Known as a safety net hospital, it accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay for services or their insurance status. 

The nonprofit Denver Health Foundation helps raise funds through donations for the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, which oversees the city’s health services and facilities. Denver Health was founded in 1860, and the Hospital Authority was established in 1997. The city of Denver contributes about 4% of the hospital’s funding. 

Denver approved ballot measure 2Q in 2024 to create a 0.34% sales tax. The tax is expected to generate $70 million for Denver Health and the Hospital Authority, but will not entirely cover the deficit in operational spending.