Vail Health’s mission for years has been to remain independent. But independence can be expensive.

The Vail Health organization in fiscal 2023 will spend about $194 million on employee compensation and benefits. That starts with a $20 per hour minimum wage — although most employees earn more. It also includes creating 87 new housing units for employees, and funding benefits ranging from child care assistance to a recreation benefit and student loan assistance of up to $30,000.

• Vail Health’s minimum wage is now $20 per hour. Most employees make more than that.
• For the fourth consecutive year, there are no increases in the premiums for medical, dental and vision insurance.
• The Patient Care Technician program at Colorado Mountain Medical gives employees on-the-job training to become certified medical assistance.
• Vail Health, in partnership with BGV Edwards Property LLC, will build 87 new workforce housing units in Edwards. The units will have 218 total bedrooms.

“We’re not just playing catch-up, we’re making forward progress,” Vail Health Chief Real Estate Development Officer Craig Cohn said.

Expanding services, adding more people, an exceptional local housing crunch and high inflation created the need for what Cohn called an “aggressive response” from the health care organization.

Vail Health Vice President of Human Resources Jennifer Law said the benefits package is part of a “holistic” approach to employee recruitment and retention. That approach intends to...

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