Kunc's Colorado Edition

Health care is a fast-growing industry in Colorado, but finding people to work these jobs is a constant struggle amid the state’s ongoing worker shortage. State leaders are hopeful that a new bipartisan bill will alleviate some of the pressure. It would fund healthcare training across the state, including a new medical school — the College of Osteopathic Medicine — at the University of Northern Colorado.That move would have a big impact, said Angie Paccione, executive director of Colorado’s  Department of Higher Education. Nearly two-thirds of osteopathic doctors are primary care physicians, and there’s a big need in this area.The model for this new medical college also includes placements, addressing a reason why people may start a program but not finish, because they can't get the placement for another year, Paccione explained.She expects a domino effect on nursing “and on all different kinds of positions where we have great shortage areas.”In The NoCo’s Erin O’Toole spoke with Paccione about this and other