VA Hospital Talks Ongoing at Fitzsimons

University of Colorado Hospital officials and local lawmakers have said they "still remain optimistic" about the proposed relocation of the VA hospital to the Fitzsimons site.

But they also admit that ongoing talks are at "an extremely sensitive stage" this spring and decline to release further details about progress of the discussions.

The proposed VA hospital move received a setback in late December when VA Secretary Anthony Principi wrote a letter calling the 12.5-acre site for the VA tower at Fitzsimons "insufficient" because the VA wanted at least 38 acres. To prepare existing buildings for their connection to the VA hospital tower, UCH is going ahead with construction on the $120 million second phase of the Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion, scheduled to start this May and finish in 2007.

UCH officials said they may make an announcement about the progress of the VA talks some time this month.

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Appeal Still Pending

Meanwhile, several University of Colorado Health Sciences Center projects at Fitzsimons remain on hold pending the outcome of a legal appeal this spring.

The lawsuit involves the use of certificates of participation to pay for the projects, a practice being challenged in court by anti-tax groups and crusaders for prisoners' rights who claim that the use of COP's to fund the projects must be approved by Colorado voters.

Around $203 million in construction remains on hold until the case is decided. UCH officials said that some redesign of the stalled facilities is under way to compensate for higher materials and construction costs once the suit is settled, including cutbacks in landscaping and interior finishes.

The appeals court is tentatively scheduled to hear the case on March 8.

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