Pitkin County joins statewide ambulance authorization effort  

It takes more than just kicking the tires when Pitkin County approves the usage of regional ambulances, according to officials. 

Whenever extra emergency services vehicles are needed for big events, local authorities must check ambulances for all appropriate equipment and ensure the vehicles are running properly and are adequately staffed. Then comes all the permitting paperwork.

Aiming to reduce this burden, Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously decided to join the state of Colorado’s emergency medical services licensing authority.

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“Before this new authorization opt-in, in Colorado, to be a licensed ambulance service or a provider of EMS, the county was responsible for assuring EMS was available, and responsible for evaluating and licensing those services,” said Gabe Muething, Aspen Ambulance District chief of emergency medical services.

What went into effect July 1, the state passed a bill giving the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment power to authorize all emergency medical services. In other words, Senate Bill 22-225 takes the burden away from counties by allowing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to license all ambulances across the Centennial State.

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With this, all Pitkin County has to do when it needs outside ambulance services is sign off on it.

Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Deputy Chief of Operations Richard Cornelius explained the significance of the legislative change, noting that the CDPHE has already issued over 211 service licenses for more than 2,000 vehicles. He clarified that any ambulance service with a valid CDPHE license could operate statewide, contingent on obtaining local permission if a county opts in.

“Any ambulance service that is licensed in the state of Colorado and has a valid license from the CDPHE would, in theory, be able to operate in any county, regardless of if that county has opted in or not,” he said. “Any licensed service would need to obtain permission from the county if the county opts in.” 

Before this legislative shift, the county was responsible for licensing ground ambulance services through its code, which already recognized the Pitkin County Emergency Medical Trauma Advisory Council (EMTAC) as the body overseeing the application process for ambulance service licensing and vehicle permits.

This section also laid out the rules and regulations for such licensing. On May 11, 2024, county commissioners discussed the matter in a work session and directed staff to draft a resolution for PitCo to become the local authorizing authority.

Muething said this ensures comprehensive emergency medical coverage and is a nice control for services. 

“We always know who is here, operating medical services, we also know that they have a direct connection to our hospital system and communication,” he said.

Muething highlighted the benefits of this change for Pitkin County. 

“We are really looking forward to the CDPHE licensing services statewide. Our goal is to provide the best level of service ever,” he said. “The services that are here in Pitkin County operate at a very high level and now we can continue to maintain a certain level of control.”

Westley Crouch covers the City of Aspen and general reporting for The Aspen Times. He can be reached at 970-384-9124 or wcrouch@aspentimes.com.