The peak of construction. After years of stagnant hospital growth, Colorado sees boom in healthcare construction as enterprising companies pan for gold.

As Denver experienced a population boom during the '90s, hospital construction was at a standstill. Now providers are racing to catch up with demand, reflecting a national trend. Four Denver-area facilities, including Sky Ridge Medical Center, left, are open or under construction. "Right now, there's nothing like this going on anywhere," says Dennis Brimhall, of the University of Colorado Hospital.