Babies boom at Platte Valley
According to the city’s own numbers, the population of Brighton, Colo., has doubled in the last two decades and it shows no signs of slowing. The number of residents settling in the area has increased by about 12% in the post-COVID era alone, with 2025 numbers, not yet available, expected to be even higher (estimates say roughly a 20% increase). The Brighton metro-area also is booming. It’s located within Adams County, which ranks third in Colorado for recent population growth.
But wait, there’s more. The median age in Brighton skews young, at 34 years old. The average age in most Colorado cities is older, falling within 35 to 40 years old.
You can see where I’m going with this. If you’re going to settle in a young, growing community that’s great for families, you’re going to, you know, start a family.
Between 2023 and 2025, babies born at Platte Valley increased from 874 to 962. In January 2026, we welcomed 85 babies. At that rate, we’ll surpass 1,000 by the end of the year. And that’s if our deliveries remain steady while the local population grows.
This is no surprise to Denise Slusher, MD, medical director of Obstetrics for Peaks who practices at Platte Valley. She’s been standing at the frontlines of this population explosion, welcoming an ever-increasing number of new Coloradans into the world.
“We have seen a baby boom, for sure!” she said. “And we are ready for this moment. We’ve worked hard during the past eight years to ensure we offer the safest, highest-quality care, with the best experience, for all our moms.”
According to Slusher, the team on the Women’s & Newborn Unit has:
Established a Deck Doc program, meaning there is a board-certified OB/GYN present in the hospital 24/7.
Implemented safety bundles for postpartum hemorrhage and maternal severe hypertension.
Tracked and continued to maintain an NTSV Cesarean delivery rate below the national goal of 23.7%. This is the percent of time a first-time mom with a single baby whose head is down at term has a Cesarean section.
Been named High Performing for the second year in a row by US News and World Report.
Slusher is confident the team can continue to offer exceptional safety and quality, even as volumes continue to surge. Because as the population has grown, so has the team.
Platte Valley opened the Amber Creek OB/GYN clinic at the end of 2024, which is now staffed by two doctors: Hayley Thompson, MD, and Jennifer Wilson, MD.
The hospital also is actively recruiting three more doctors (one laborist and two clinic providers) and one APP.
Leadership continues to assess nurse staffing on L&D, Postpartum and Special Care Nursery and is ready to adjust as needed to keep up with the growing delivery volume.
So Bring the Boom hasn’t only gone viral on TikTok. Babies are booming right here at Platte Valley, so bring it. The Women’s & Newborn team is ready and honored to be the hospital of choice for moms and families preparing for their precious deliveries. Physicians with questions about deliveries at Platte valley can reach out to Slusher at denise.slusher@imal.org.