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Children’s Hospital Colorado passes one-year mark in construction process

Posted at 10:02 PM, Jun 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-17 00:02:25-04

Children’s Hospital Colorado is that much closer to being done and that much closer to providing specialized care for kids.

"The one year milestone has been a long time coming from a planning perspective," said Greg Raymond, regional vice president of Children’s Colorado.

"Kids with lots of needs will have a hospital right here," said 12-year-old Lauren Schwamb, a cardiac patient with Children’s Colorado.

So they no longer have to go out of town to cities like Denver to find it.

"To think that you may have an ill child that’s dependent upon your successful commute up there, really is – can be nerve-racking," added Raymond.

Families of ill children can attest to just how taxing the commute can be.

"Most of our care is in Aurora, Colorado, which is, you know, an hour and half from our house," said Kristi Schwamb, Lauren’s mother.
"Makes for a really long day when three hours is spent just on the road and then you have the long doctor’s appointments."

And especially stressful when their child’s life depends on it.

"Getting sicker by the moment, so we hit the road to Denver, we got as far as like Larksburg, Castle Rock and I was like, ‘[Lauren’s] just not gonna make it.’"

Thankfully, Lauren did make it.
But soon, that commute will be a thing of the past.

"We won’t have to go up to Denver," added Lauren.

Now, proof of progress can be spotted with the naked eye.

"We spend a lot of time in the hospitals, but it’s the first time we’ve gotten to see one being built," said Kristi.

"I think it’s pretty cool just to see how much it’s been built," remarked Lauren. 
"It’s now actually looking like a hospital."

The hospital is laying the groundwork of a better future for ill children in colorado springs, and this care access for parents – right in their backyard – is now set in concrete.

"It’ll be amazing to have it right here," added Kristi.

Children’s Hospital Colorado is expecting to welcome its first patient in the spring of 2019.