REGIONAL EMS SYSTEM
About NCRETAC
NCRETAC is the Northeast Colorado Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council. We are a statutory body operating under the Colorado EMS Act, responsible for coordinating emergency medical and trauma services across nine counties covering more than 17,000 square miles.
Mission and Legal Authority
Mission
To foster coordination and collaboration among hospital and prehospital providers, provide support to all emergency medical and trauma services organizations within the region, and expand access to safety and educational resources to improve equitable patient care.
Vision
A unified and resilient regional EMS and trauma system where every patient, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to coordinated, high-quality, and equitable care through strong partnerships, informed providers, and a commitment to community well-being.
Legal Authority
NCRETAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under the statutory authority of the Colorado EMS Act and the Statewide Trauma Care System Act (CRS 25-3.5). We operate under state RETAC guidelines and are accountable to CDPHE. The Board of County Commissioners in each of the nine member counties appoints NCRETAC directors.
The Region
NCRETAC serves nine counties across northeast Colorado, spanning the eastern plains, the foothills, and portions of the Rocky Mountains including Longs Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park. The combined region covers 17,456 square miles with a total population of 818,211. Distribution is highly uneven: Larimer and Weld counties account for the majority of residents, while four counties are frontier-designated with fewer than six residents per square mile.
Travel distances, limited cellular coverage, and seasonal weather conditions create significant variability in EMS access and response capacity. NCRETAC exists to coordinate across that variability and support the agencies and facilities that deliver care in it.
| County | Population | Area (sq mi) | Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 1,273 | 1,614 | Frontier |
| Larimer | 374,574 | 2,596 | Urban |
| Logan | 20,755 | 1,839 | Rural |
| Morgan | 30,300 | 1,294 | Rural |
| Phillips | 4,488 | 688 | Rural |
| Sedgwick | 2,257 | 549 | Frontier |
| Washington | 4,771 | 2,522 | Frontier |
| Weld | 369,745 | 3,985 | Urban |
| Yuma | 10,048 | 2,369 | Frontier |
| Total | 818,211 | 17,456 |
Population data: 2024 estimates. Frontier designation per Colorado Rural Health Center definition (6 or fewer persons per square mile).
Population: 2024 estimates. Frontier defined as 6 or fewer persons per square mile per Colorado Rural Health Center. 4 of Colorado's 64 frontier counties are in the NCRETAC region.
Board of Directors
The NCRETAC Board consists of 18 directors, two appointed by each member county. One director per county represents prehospital care; the other represents in-hospital emergency and trauma care. Each county may also appoint one alternate. Directors serve two-year staggered terms. The Board meets monthly, except in December. A quorum requires representation from 51% of member counties.
Officers
The four officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, form the Executive Committee. Officers must represent four different member counties. Officers are elected by the Board in July for two-year terms.
Executive Director
The Executive Director serves as a non-voting ex officio Board member. The ED manages operations, coordinates committee work, and implements Board decisions. The office is located at 302 E 2nd Ave, Yuma, CO 80759.
Member Counties
Jackson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma. County membership is acknowledged through individual county resolutions consistent with the Bylaws.
Current Board Representatives
| County | Prehospital Representative | Hospital/Facility Representative |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Aleigh Shoemaker Cheryl Franz Alt: Monica Love |
No hospital facility |
| Larimer | James Robinson, Thompson Valley EMS (Vice President) | Christine Dummer, UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies |
| Logan | Brett Dowis, Sterling Fire Department (President) | Jamie Groshans, Sterling Regional Medical Center |
| Morgan | Travis Freeman, Morgan County Ambulance Service | Cassie Greene, CommonSpirit Health St. Elizabeth Hospital (Secretary) |
| Phillips | Sara Ring, Holyoke EMS | Shana Metzger, Haxtun Health |
| Sedgwick | Tasha Harris, Sedgwick County Ambulance | Billie Carlson, Sedgwick County Health Center |
| Washington | Collin Patterson, Washington County Ambulance | Randy Benish, Washington County Ambulance |
| Weld | Robert Schleich, Global Medical Response Alt: Darin Dalton, Global Medical Response |
Pam Howes, UCHealth Lifeline Alt: Cindy Joseph, UCHealth North |
| Yuma | Keriann Josh, City of Yuma Ambulance (Treasurer) | Krista Terrell, Yuma District Hospital |
Governance Documents
NCRETAC operates transparently. Core governing documents are available for review and download.
Bylaws
Amended March 17, 2026. Governs the Board, membership, officers, and operations.
Policies & Procedures
Amended January 21, 2025. Covers governance, financial management, and educational programming policy. Reviewed annually.
Committee Charters
Amended March 17, 2026. Board-approved charters for all standing committees and NEPAB.
FY26-27 Biennial Plan
Amended January 20, 2026. Five strategic goals guiding NCRETAC’s work through June 2027.
These documents are hosted on NCRETAC’s document server. Contact us if you have trouble accessing a file.
Contact
NCRETAC
302 E 2nd Ave, Yuma, CO 80759
[email protected]
Related: Committees | Training & Events | Advocacy