Public medical school at UNC among Sonnenberg’s goals

The 2022 General Assembly session, which begins its 120-day run Wednesday, Jan. 12, will be the last year in the Legislature for state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling.

He intends to go out with a bang, sponsoring a measure that could be among the most significant in his 16-year history as a lawmaker.

Sonnenberg is teaming up with Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, to change a state law that would eventually allow the University of Northern Colorado to open only the second public medical school in the state.

A new medical school would help alleviate an anticipated shortage in physicians, due to an aging workforce and anticipated population growth over the next several decades, according to a feasibility study UNC commissioned last year.

Weld County grew by 30% between 2010 and 2020, according to U.S. census data.

The medical school would provide osteopathic training, a growing field within medicine. Osteopathic physicians focus on whole health, can choose any specialty, prescribe drugs and perform surgeries.

“I’m optimistic I can still get something done across the aisle,” Sonnenberg told this reporter, although it’s been tougher the last few years, after Republicans lost control of the state Senate.

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