Photo: Xnatedawgx · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Empire residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Empire, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Empire. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Empire
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Empire
1 in 14 adults have COPD (7.3%), vs 5.3% across Colorado. 1 in 29 adults have had a stroke (3.4%), vs 2.7% across Colorado. Heart disease is also above the state: 6.4%, vs 5.1% across Colorado. In all, Empire runs above Colorado on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 29 miles from Empire
The closest emergency room is Boulder Community Health in Boulder, 28.6 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Clinica Campesina/Family Health Services is closer (12.2 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Smoking is more common in Empire
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (14.2%), vs 10.9% across Colorado. Habits ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Colorado figure falls outside Empire’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Empire adults…
Empire runs above CO on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Empire
No hospital or community health center in Empire itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Empire; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Colorado
Share of adults, with the Colorado figure marked.
0.4 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Empire adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Colorado.
How Empire adults are doing
About the same as Colorado on each measure.
A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Empire and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Empire adults live with a disability (Colorado 27.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Empire
Why doesn’t Empire have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Empire.
What hospital is closest to Empire?
Boulder Community Health in Boulder, 28.6 miles in a straight line from Empire’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Empire.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Colorado figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.