Greeley Tribune’s Anne Delaney reports that the University of Northern Colorado’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine will have its pre-accreditation application reviewed by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation in Chicago on Dec. 4–5. If COCA signs off, UNC can begin recruiting and admitting students. A photo shows the new medical college building actively under construction on campus.
The piece notes what comes next on the road map. A pre-operational site visit would follow in early 2026 before instruction begins. COCA currently accredits 44 osteopathic colleges operating at 71 sites. UNC’s $127.5 million facility sits at 20th Street near 11th Avenue on the former Bishop-Lehr Hall site, and lawmakers approved a $247 million statewide package in 2024, with UNC receiving the majority for the med-college building. Tuition was set at $55,000 per year, plus fees.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Decision window: COCA review Dec. 4–5 in Chicago. Approval unlocks recruiting and admissions for UNC.
- Next steps: a pre-operational site visit in early 2026, with further review in April if approved. If not, UNC returns with updates.
- Bricks and mortar: $127.5 million building rising on 20th Street at the former Bishop-Lehr Hall site.
- Public backing: 2024 legislation provided $247 million for health-care projects, with UNC landing the lion’s share for this facility.
- Sticker price: annual tuition set at $55,000, with fees of $2,000 in years one and two and $1,000 in years three and four.
My Bottom Line
This thrills me beyond measure. UNC’s esteemed President, Dr. Andy Feinstein, has become a friend. We meet once a month for breakfast, and I have heard him lay out this vision for years. Many said it could not be done. They do not know Andy. His grit got UNC to this gate and his determination will see white coats walking across a Greeley stage.
For Greeley and all of Weld County, this is a massive step forward. A medical college is the kind of economic diversification communities beg for. It pulls investment, talent, and research into our backyard and tells every bright student from Fort Lupton to Windsor that they can train to be a doctor without leaving home base.
Credit where due. The university did the heavy lift, found resources, and kept the cranes moving. The process is working as intended. Let COCA do its job. If they greenlight, recruit the best class in Colorado. If they kick it back for tweaks, fix them fast and push again. Momentum matters.
And Andy, once you clear this bar, let’s talk about the next big swing. How about a College of Energy to match Weld County’s strengths and keep our workforce second to none. Doctors and drill bits. That sounds like a Colorado future to me.
Source: Greeley Tribune
