Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

03/01/2026

CoANA 2026 Annual Meeting is set! 🎉

Join us September 25–27, 2026 at Hotel Clio – Cherry Creek, Denver for the perfect blend of luxury, high-quality education, and meaningful connection.

✔️ Engaging CE sessions (planned for AANA accreditation)
✔️ Powerful networking with CRNAs, SRNAs & RNs across Colorado
✔️ Friday evening kickoff — arrive early!
✔️ Full Saturday of dynamic education
✔️ PAC Oktoberfest-Themed Party 🍻 you won’t want to miss

Mark your calendar now — this is one you’ll want the full experience for.

ColoradoCRNAs AANA CRNAsAdvocate NurseAnesthetist ColoradoEvents CRNANetworking ContinuingEducation

02/10/2026

🚨CRNA Advocacy: Student Loan Caps🚨

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed reclassifying future CRNAs as “graduate students,” capping federal unsubsidized loans at $20,500 annually and $100,000 total.

This change would severely limit access to anesthesia education and devastate the future CRNA pipeline—at a time when Colorado and the nation are already facing a critical anesthesia provider shortage.

CRNA education is rigorous and full-time, with extensive clinical hours that make outside employment impossible. Federal student loans are not optional—they are essential for students to complete training and serve our communities.

📣 Your voice matters.
Identical comments will not be counted. Personalizing your letter is critical.

How to help:
https://aana.quorum.us/campaign/151823/

1️⃣ Click the link and access the draft comment
2️⃣ Personalize your response (impact on your facility, finances, or career path)
3️⃣ Submit your letter

Protect patient access. Protect the future of anesthesia care.

HealthcareWorkforce

02/05/2026

🚨 Colorado Medicaid Proposed Anesthesia Cuts Threaten Patient Access to Care 🚨

As part of the state budget process, Colorado is proposing a reduction in Medicaid reimbursement rates to 85% for several provider groups, including anesthesia. If not stopped, these cuts would take effect April 1, 2026.

Anesthesia is a critical in person service. It cannot be provided via telehealth or over a Zoom call. In many rural communities across Colorado, CRNAs are the primary anesthesia providers and are often hospital employed.

When Medicaid reimbursement is reduced, hospitals receive significantly less funding for essential services. Many rural and community hospitals are already operating on thin margins. Cuts like these push facilities closer to financial instability and, in some cases, closure. When hospitals close or reduce services, entire communities lose access to surgical care, emergency services, and obstetric care, forcing patients to travel hours for treatment.

COANA is actively working to reduce the impact of these proposed cuts, but we need your voice.

👉 Take action today:
Check your COANA emails for templates to contact the Joint Budget Committee and your legislators.

ColoradoHealthcare MedicaidMatters AdvocacyInAction

01/22/2026

CRNAs are highly trained anesthesia professionals who deliver safe, high-quality care across Colorado in diverse practice settings.
During , COANA is proud to help raise awareness of the critical role CRNAs play in patient safety and access to care.

 

01/22/2026

Happy 🎉

COANA proudly celebrates Colorado’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and the critical role you play in delivering safe, high-quality anesthesia care in every practice setting!
Thank you for your commitment to patients, communities, and the profession!

How are you celebrating this week?

11/21/2025

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),” capped federal unsubsidized loans at $100,000 in aggregate for graduate students and at $200,000 in aggregate for professional students. Unfortunately, in implementing this law, the Department of Education has defined students in nurse anesthesia programs as graduate students. The Department of Education is preparing to release its proposed rule, and AANA is working with Congress and the Administration to reclassify SRNAs/RRNAs as professional students prior to that time.
Call or write a letter to your legislator to ask them to contact Under Secretary for Education Nicholas Kent and urge him to reclassify students in nurse anesthesia programs as professional students ASAP.
Capping federal student loans for SRNAs/RRNAs at $100,000 will have a devastating impact on the pipeline of future CRNAs and worsen access to anesthesia care for all Americans. Thank you for participating in this critical effort

Visit aana.com to use their call to action link https://aana.quorum.us/campaign/148007/

11/21/2025

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA),” capped federal unsubsidized loans at $100,000 in aggregate for graduate students and at $200,000 in aggregate for professional students. Unfortunately, in implementing this law, the Department of Education has defined students in nurse anesthesia programs as graduate students. The Department of Education is preparing to release its proposed rule, and AANA is working with Congress and the Administration to reclassify SRNAs/RRNAs as professional students prior to that time.

Call or write a letter to your legislator to ask them to contact Under Secretary for Education Nicholas Kent and urge him to reclassify students in nurse anesthesia programs as professional students ASAP.

Capping federal student loans for SRNAs/RRNAs at $100,000 will have a devastating impact on the pipeline of future CRNAs and worsen access to anesthesia care for all Americans. Thank you for participating in this critical effort!

Call to action link available at AANA website

11/04/2025

Way to give back Jennifer and represent Colorado CRNAs!

Congratulations Jennifer Harenberg, CRNA, for receiving the 2025 Denver Health APP Outstanding Teacher award! 👏

Jennifer was honored for her outstanding contributions to nurse anesthesia education, including her leadership in the success of the DNAP programs at Texas Wesleyan University and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, as well as her instrumental role in establishing Colorado’s first CRNA program at Rocky Vista University - Colorado Campus.

The award was presented at the Denver Health Medical Staff Annual Banquet. We’re proud to celebrate your dedication to advancing CRNA education and excellence in patient care!

10/17/2025

Happy World Anesthesia Day!

09/10/2025

The Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (COANA) is seeking members who would like to volunteer their time and expertise on one of our committees. Currently, the following committees are looking for additional members:
• Continuing Education (CE) Committee – Develop and support educational opportunities for CRNAs in Colorado.
• Public Relations (PR) Committee – Help raise awareness of our profession and strengthen communication with the public and our members.
• Political Action Committee (PAC) – Contribute to advocacy efforts that protect and advance the practice of nurse anesthesia in Colorado.

Committee involvement is a valuable way to contribute to your profession, network with colleagues, and ensure CRNAs continue to have a strong voice in Colorado.

If you are interested in joining, please contact COANA at [email protected] for more information.

09/10/2025

The Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (COANA) is seeking members who would like to volunteer their time and expertise on one of our committees. Currently, the following committees are looking for additional members:
• Continuing Education (CE) Committee – Develop and support educational opportunities for CRNAs in Colorado.
• Public Relations (PR) Committee – Help raise awareness of our profession and strengthen communication with the public and our members.
• Political Action Committee (PAC) – Contribute to advocacy efforts that protect and advance the practice of nurse anesthesia in Colorado.

Committee involvement is a valuable way to contribute to your profession, network with colleagues, and ensure CRNAs continue to have a strong voice in Colorado.

If you are interested in joining, please contact COANA at [email protected] for more information.

09/09/2025

Don’t forget to register and earn CEs with your fellow region 5 CRNAs!! Information in the link below!

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwesterncrnasummit.com%2f%23location-venue&c=E,1,yIr3CZOw3L0lwezUxzAgFlXl2QCzrowfG1z3K3s8gkhDWxATlR7XphmSs5mrdrce0BClyct24D8s6WryJexPKp98yYHPkrs_50KVjAHNJ3iI_M_TdiQ,&typo=1