What does an urgent care center do?
An urgent care center treats problems that need care soon but are not emergencies. Call 911 or go to the ER for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, or severe bleeding.
Last updated November 11, 2026
Find urgent care centers near you
When people see one
- Sprains, minor cuts, or a possible broken finger
- Fever, sore throat, or ear pain
- A urinary tract infection
- Your regular doctor has no opening soon
How it differs
Primary care clinic: A primary care clinic keeps your records and follows your health over time. Urgent care handles one-time problems, often with walk-in hours.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a referral? No. You don't need a referral to go to urgent care.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Urgent Care Centers or Facilities" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $30 to $100 a visit on 20 of 56 plans; on the other 36, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $20 to $100 a visit on 53 of 58 plans; on the other 5, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $20 to $75 a visit on 26 of 30 plans; on the other 4, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
In-network care costs less. Out-of-network visits on an HMO or EPO usually aren't covered except in an emergency.
In Colorado
Public records list 326 urgent care centers in Colorado.
- Denver County: 51 locations
- Arapahoe County: 46 locations
- El Paso County: 38 locations
- Jefferson County: 35 locations
- Douglas County: 27 locations
- Boulder County: 21 locations
Counties with the fewest: Pitkin (1), Morgan (1), Montezuma (1), Montrose (2), Las Animas (2). 38 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Is this location in network for my 2027 plan? Ask for the plan's network name.
- Do you take walk-ins, or do I book online?
- What are your evening and weekend hours?
- What will I owe at the visit?