DIHFS History

Denver was one of the original sites for relocation of Indian people from their home reservations. Today, Denver continues to be a hub for Indian people. Denver's Indian population is estimated at 25,000 and is comprised of people who have lived in Denver for over 30 years producing 2nd and 3rd generation Denver natives as well as those who are transient and move to and from the reservation on a regular basis. The universal reason for moving continues to be "Hope for a better future."

Although Denver is centrally located within "Indian Country" and many national Indian organizations are headquartered in Denver, it is isolated from tribal health and Indian Health Services. The closest Indian health facility in Colorado is located on the Southern Ute reservation, which is an eight hour drive from Denver. The nearest Indian Health Service Hospitals are in Rapid City, South Dakota and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Unlike other urban health programs, we do not have the ability to utilize other Indian health facilities to meet the gaps in services.

Denver Indian Health and Family Services was created as the result of a needs assessment conducted by the Denver Native Americans United. With a staff of two people, the agency gathered and provided information to Indian people in accessing health care in the Denver metropolitan area. The doors were closed however in 1991, because of the large number of uninsured and because of the inability to charge American Indian patients. These services were essential, however, and the community voiced the need for additional health care; not just any health care, but health care that was culturally sensitive and available through an Indian organization and provider.

During a 1998 strategic planning retreat the DIHFS board of directors planted the seeds to begin the process of providing medical services to the Indian community on site. The board of directors insisted that the services be provided by DIHFS, that patients would receive more health education, that the delivery of services be provided in a manner that was comfortable to Indian patients, that the financial pitfalls of the past be avoided, and finally, that the organization maintain its identity as an Indian provider and an Indian clinic.

Through the efforts of young Indian physician, Dr. Lori Kobrine, the clinic met the requirements for state licensure. DIHFS continues to grow and thrive. Since May 2000 the clinic has been staffed with a full time nurse practitioner and a volunteer physician who provide medical services to the community on a full time basis.

DIHFS is located just east of downtown, 1 block from City Park and historic East High School.

Community Profile

The Denver Indian community is a fairly young population with a median age of 30.2 as compared to 34.5 for all other races. The majority of DIHFS clientele are single parent heads of household. The average income reported by DIHFS patients is $621 per month or $7,452 per year. Seventy-three percent of DIHFS patients do not have health insurance.

The cachement area for DIHFS includes Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Gilpin counties.

DIHFS, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Native Americans.
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