Ambulatory surgical centers

Definitions

Ambulatory Surgical Center
A health care entity established for the primary purpose of providing medically necessary surgery, elective surgery, or preventive diagnostic procedures that do not require hospitalization but do require post surgical or post procedural observation and monitoring that generally will not exceed 24 hours from admission to discharge.

Convalescent Center
A health care entity that provides post surgical, post procedural and/or post diagnostic medical and nursing services to patients for whom an uncomplicated recovery is anticipated and for whom acute hospitalization is not required. A convalescent center shall be licensed and operated only in conjunction with a licensed ambulatory surgical center. 

Fee Schedule

3/1/2025 to 6/30/2025 Fee Transition Period Guidance

The current fee schedules are posted to our Facility Fees website by March 1st of each year, for a July 1st effective date. The previous fee schedule will remain active for all initial applications, changes of ownership, and changes of information submitted on or before 6/30 each year. The guidance document above will be provided to help you navigate which fee schedule to use in your specific situation.

The fee schedules will also be linked within COHFI, on the Payment phase/section of the application, as well as a link to pay on the online portal.

Fees are applicable to all facilities except for institutions wholly owned and operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions.

Website: Facility Fees | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Initial License Application Guidance

Initial Health Facility/Agency Licensing - Guidance and Instructions (All License Types)

This document will provide guidance with questions that often come up during the initial licensure process. The document will walk you through the step by step process of initial licensure, from the Letter of Intent (LOI) to the license being issued.

This document also provides a checklist of all documents that are required to be submitted with the initial application. We recommend that you review this document in its entirety prior to submitting the LOI to request the license application.