CO · Healthcare shortage profile
Adams County, CO
Home to 519,572 residents, with 10 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 10
- Population
- 519,572
- Peak shortage score
- 23.0
- MUA Index
- 57.1
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Adams County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 10 active HPSA designations, more than 83% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 10
- Active HPSA designations
- 3
- Dental shortages
- 23
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 17%
- US counties by volume
Adams County vs. every real US county
Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none
10 Top 17% higher than 83% of 3,289 real US counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026
State peer position. Adams County falls in the upper quarter of CO counties by active-designation volume, at rank 5 of 64. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 08001. Population: 519,572.
Medically Underserved Area
Peak severity scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 10 active (designated) HPSAs in Adams County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Regents OF The Univ. OF Colorado | dental | 23.0 |
| The Regents OF The Univ. OF Colorado | mental_health | 18.0 |
| LI Mhca Community Reach | mental_health | 17.0 |
| LI - Commerce City | primary_care | 16.0 |
| LI - Aurora North | primary_care | 16.0 |
| LI -Thornton/Westminster | primary_care | 15.0 |
| LI - Adams West | dental | 15.0 |
| The Regents OF The Univ. OF Colorado | primary_care | 14.0 |
| Strasburg Service Area | primary_care | 14.0 |
| LI - Northwest Aurora | dental | 13.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Adams County
Dental care carries Adams County's deepest shortage reading, 23.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 16.0 of 25; Mental health reads 18.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 57.1, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Adams County above 83% of real US counties (10 active designations: 5 primary care, 2 mental health, 3 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 23.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.
Adams County falls in the upper quarter of CO counties by active-designation volume, at rank 5 of 64. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.
Adams County designations by care type
Active Health Professional Shortage Area designations in the county, by provider category (high-priority disciplines emphasized).
- Dental
Dental
3 designations
- Mental health
Mental health
2 designations
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) + Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) HPSA primary-care, mental-health, and dental designations for Adams County, CO · 2026 HRSA designation data updated quarterly; HPSA scores 0-25 (primary/mental) and 0-26 (dental); higher = greater shortage severity. Coverage tiers from U.S. Census ACS PUMS + KFF state tracker.
Acting on a heavy-burden county
Adams County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.
- Adams County's 10 active designations make providers here eligible for National Health Service Corps loan repayment, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
- See how the county's primary care burden compares with the rest of CO before you draw conclusions from a single score. CO overview
- Check whether an area clears HRSA's 3,500:1 population-to-provider threshold with the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score. HPSA ratio checker
HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.
Counties With a Similar Dental Shortage Score
Other U.S. counties whose active HRSA dental HPSA score is closest to Adams County's 23.0. This compares the designation score only, not local appointment availability or care quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adams County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Adams County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 57.1. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Adams County have?
Adams County, CO has 10 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 5 in primary care, 2 in mental health, and 3 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Adams County's HPSA score of 23.0 mean?
23.0 in dental care clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.
What healthcare providers are needed in Adams County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Adams County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Which federal programs do Adams County's designations unlock?
Adams County's 10 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.
How does Adams County compare to other counties in CO?
Adams County has 10 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 23.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in CO on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Adams County stands relative to the rest of the country.
Learn More About Healthcare Shortages
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 08001. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.