Colorado families have access to one of the country's top-10 pediatric nephrology programs at Children's Hospital Colorado — the regional referral anchor for the entire Rocky Mountain region. Families across Wyoming, Montana, and rural Colorado travel to Aurora for complex kidney care. Western slope families (Grand Junction, Durango) face 4–6 hour drives or may choose Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. Hand-curated and independently verified.
Top 10
US News pediatric nephrology ranking, Children's Hospital Colorado
US News & World Report 2025–2026
~150K
Adults estimated to have CKD in Colorado
5.8M population · ~3.3% CKD prevalence
35%
Live donor kidney transplant rate at Children's Colorado — above national average
Children's Hospital Colorado
Health First Colorado
Colorado's Medicaid program — healthfirstcolorado.com
CO Dept. of Health Care Policy
Regional Role
Colorado's Distinction: Rocky Mountain Hub
Rocky Mountain Regional Referral Center
Children's Hospital Colorado is the kidney care anchor for the entire Mountain West
US News top 10 pediatric nephrology nationally. 30+ years of comprehensive renal care. The Kidney Center serves families across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and beyond — providing world-class dialysis (both hospital-based and home peritoneal), kidney transplant with a 35% live donor rate, and cutting-edge research through the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
#Top 10 US News Nephrology35% Live Donor Transplant RateHome PD ProgramRegional Referral for WY, MT & beyond
Geography First
Which Center Is Right for Your Family?
Where you live in Colorado largely shapes which center handles your child's care.
🏙️ Denver Metro / Front Range
Children's Hospital Colorado — Aurora (The Kidney Center)
Primary referral for the entire Front Range and eastern CO
UCHealth University Hospital for adult nephrology & transplant
🏔️ Western Slope (Grand Junction / Durango)
4–6 hour drive to Children's Colorado in Aurora
Primary Children's / U of Utah (Salt Lake City) — comparable distance for some families
UCHealth Yampa Valley for adult kidney referral
🌾 Eastern Colorado (Fort Collins / Pueblo)
Children's Colorado in Aurora — 60–120 minutes from most eastern CO cities
Children's Nebraska (Omaha) accessible from NE Colorado panhandle
Children's Colorado (Aurora) — 70 miles north of Colorado Springs
University of New Mexico Children's accessible from southern CO near NM border
Western slope families: Grand Junction is approximately 250 miles from Aurora (Children's Colorado) and 240 miles from Salt Lake City (Primary Children's). Some western slope families choose Primary Children's / U of Utah due to comparable distance and the Mountain West's only pediatric dialysis unit. See the Utah page for details.
For Children
Pediatric Nephrology Centers
For Adults
Adult Nephrology & Transplant
Community
Support Organizations
Financial Help
Financial Assistance
Education
Kidney Explorers in Colorado
Request Kidney Explorers for Your School
Our interactive kidney education module is designed for elementary and middle school students. Ask your school to bring it into the classroom.
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