UCHealth is bringing its LifeLine helicopter service to the Yampa Valley next year, expanding access to emergency transportation options when patients need to be transferred to elevated levels of care, according to a statement released on Friday. 

Beginning in January 2027, the new LifeLine base, stationed in Steamboat Springs, will provide patients with ready access to flight service. The service will support transport to any healthcare facility — whether it be a UCHealth location or a facility of the patient’s or provider’s choice, said UCHealth Vice President of Patient Access and Logistics Rob Leeret in the statement. 

“Time is of the essence with critical patients,” said Dr. Laura Sehnert, chief medical officer at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center and a practicing emergency medicine physician, in the statement. “We’re excited to welcome LifeLine into our community and are grateful UCHealth is further investing in the health of residents in northwest Colorado.”

LifeLine 6, a new AirBus H125 helicopter operated by REACH Air Medical Services, is equipped with “state-of-the-art” medical equipment, including Hamilton T-1 transport ventilation, CPAP and BIPAP, a Zoll X cardiac monitor with advanced hemodynamic monitoring, a Sapphire infusion pump, blood and plasma, an EDAN dual fetal monitor, and advanced airway management equipment. 

The helicopter can transport one patient at a time, with each flight supported by a pilot, flight paramedic and flight nurse. 

Depending on weather conditions, LifeLine 6 is able to transport a patient from YVMC in Steamboat Springs to, for example, UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland in 50 minutes, or a hospital in the Denver area in 55 minutes, at a maximum speed of 140 knots, or 161 miles per hour. 

Steamboat’s LifeLine operations will be supported by 6-8 staff out of UCHealth that will work closely with YVMC’s Level 3 trauma center and local first responders. 

If an additional patient transfer is needed or if the aircraft needs maintenance, backup helicopters will be activated from Loveland or Cheyenne. LifeLine and YVMC will also partner with non-UCHealth air medical providers to ensure that patient transport occurs as quickly as possible.