Healthcare competition is starting to heat up in Fort Collins, Colo., with one system breaking ground on a new cancer center and another unveiling plans that include a 192-bed hospital.

Banner Health has submitted plans for a hospital and a 28-acre medical campus to city officials. News of Banner's interest in building a hospital there had surfaced last fall, but the system was holding its cards close to its vest. A “preliminary draft proposal” was presented to the city in November, but Banner noted at the time that a specific plan was still being developed.

If approved, it would be only the second hospital in Fort Collins, a city of about 150,000 located 65 miles straight north of Denver and 50 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyo. The only other hospital in town is the University of Colorado Health system's two-campus, 237-bed Poudre Valley Hospital. UC Health continues to build in the city as well. Ground was broken Jan. 17 for a new $11 million cancer center that is scheduled to be completed next year.

In an e-mail, Banner spokesman Paul Matthews said the plan still needs approval from Banner's board of directors, but the 13-page “statement of planning objectives” submitted to the city states that the “ultimate project” would include a 294,000-square-foot, 192-bed hospital and a 30,000-square-foot outpatient facility. Space is set aside for future construction of a 40,000-square-foot outpatient building.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the city of Fort Collins and our area healthcare partners regarding the potential use of this land,” Matthews said.

One of Banner's partners in the area is Kaiser Permanente. In an e-mailed statement from Kaiser's communications staff, it was noted that “Kaiser Permanente supports Banner Health as our partner in providing high-quality, affordable healthcare in Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley and surrounding areas.”

The document also states that, “at the completion of final build out,” a staff of 714 people could be employed on the site. An estimated cost for the project was not provided.