Celebrating 75 Years of Connection, Community, & Belonging
As we celebrate Hilltop’s 75th anniversary, we reflect on the incredible journey that has shaped our organization into what it is today. Founded in 1950 by Josephine Biggs during the polio epidemic, Hilltop has grown from a small rehabilitation hospital to a multifaceted community resource center. Our mission has always been to create a sense of belonging and support for everyone we serve.
Over the years, Hilltop has expanded its reach through various programs and services. From our community programs and assisted living communities to our support services that emphasize sustainability and job creation, Hilltop has continuously evolved to meet the needs of our community. This year, we are excited to share stories, milestones, and fun facts about our history and growth.
Our story began in 1950 as the Mesa County Society for Crippled Adults and Children, supporting those impacted by polio. Hilltop provided therapy treatments and, starting in 1955, access to the life-changing polio vaccine.
For two decades, Hilltop stood alongside families navigating the challenges of polio, helping them regain strength and hope. By 1970, Hilltop’s journey evolved, expanding our mission to serve even more of our community.
Hilltop owes its name to the creativity of a local student! Eventually, Hilltop expanded its services beyond polio to include a variety of therapy services. During that time, Hilltop relocated to a building atop Rose Hill, inspiring a student at Tope Elementary to suggest the name “Hilltop House.”
From that thoughtful suggestion, “Hilltop” became the name we carry proudly to this day.
In 1982, Hilltop made waves by opening the first indoor therapy pool in our community! As our rehabilitation hospital grew, we embraced the rising benefits of aquatic therapy, offering a unique and effective treatment option to support our participants’ journeys to recovery.
And that’s not all—our former building got an upgrade too; a new pool, a second floor, and even some pretty cool new “bubble” windows to complete the look.
We’re proud to be part of so many “firsts” in the Grand Valley, always striving to create innovative ways to care for our community.
Hilltop’s Brain Injury Services program began with a simple yet powerful idea: care doesn’t end at discharge.
While treating individuals in our rehabilitation hospital, we noticed a need for continued support once they left our care. To improve quality of life for these individuals, Hilltop created a program dedicated to ongoing care and connection—helping them thrive in the community.
This same vision inspired us when we opened our first assisted living program for aging adults, ensuring care and support at every stage of life.
In 1970, Hilltop recognized a growing need to expand access to the variety of therapeutic services we provided. Seeing that individuals and families in Delta and Montrose faced barriers to accessing care, we made the decision to extend our reach and bring these services to more of the Western Slope.
By offering mobile access to therapies and support programs, we ensured that those in outlying areas didn’t have to travel far to receive the care they needed. This step marked an important chapter in Hilltop’s mission to create connections and make a meaningful impact on lives throughout our region.
Hilltop has always been a trailblazer, helping shape many of our community’s “firsts” to meet growing needs.
When a statewide act allowed counties to develop workforce centers, Hilltop partnered with the Department of Human Services to launch a local workforce program, connecting individuals to job training and placement. To further support working families, we also opened Kidding Around, providing essential childcare services.
Hilltop was also instrumental in kick-starting the area’s vibrant assisted living sector. In 1993, we opened The Atrium to provide housing and care for aging adults in rehabilitation therapy. As demand grew, we expanded with The Fountains in 1999, The Commons in 2002, and now 86 independent living cottages—ensuring seniors have a place to thrive.
We’ve also helped shape compassionate healthcare in our region. Recognizing the need for quality end-of-life care, we worked with community partners to establish a local hospice program. And when leadership at The Resource Center retired, Hilltop stepped in to ensure critical services like Latimer House and B4 Babies continued.
Through every chapter, Hilltop has worked hand-in-hand with local organizations to ensure our Western Slope community has access to the best care and services possible. Because when we work together, we build a stronger, more connected community.
