Federal support has made resources available for regional and local health information technology (HIT) infrastructure development, and Colorado is the site of multiple efforts.

Colorado was one of five states awarded a $5 million grant in 2004 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to develop a regional health information network. The Colorado Health Information Exchange (COHIE) project included four Denver-area major health centers working together to develop a technical prototype for statewide exchange. In addition, numerous local health information exchanges have been under development in communities across the state.
These efforts and the high level of interest in HIT in Colorado led to the March 2007 incorporation of a nonprofit statewide entity to implement and oversee health information exchange across the state—the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO). CORHIO’s goal is to create a low-cost and self-sustaining service that accommodates diverse platforms, systems, needs, resources and affiliations.

CHI served as the convener and facilitator of meetings as CORHIO was being formed and continues to be involved in the effort. President Pamela Hanes serves as a member of the board of directors.