Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly recognizes that an efficient and reliable statewide emergency medical and trauma network would serve not only to promote the health, safety, and welfare of Colorado residents, but would also, by increasing safety throughout the state, indirectly serve to facilitate tourism and economic development in the state. (2) The general assembly also finds that accident victims are often transported over state highways and that an improved response to accidents through an efficient and reliable statewide emergency medical and trauma network impacts both directly and indirectly on the maintenance and supervision of the public highways of this state. (3) Therefore, it is the purpose of this part 6 to enhance emergency medical and trauma services statewide by financially assisting local emergency medical and trauma service providers who operate or wish to operate in the counties in their efforts to improve the quality and effectiveness of local emergency medical and trauma services, including emergency medical and trauma equipment and communications, and by supporting the overall coordination of such efforts by the department.