Orthopaedic Surgery·Aurora, CO

University of Colorado

Signal lift7%29%+22 pp with a signal here

Allocate signal →Track an away here25-26 cycle · applicant-level

Step 2 invited

240–272

p10 – p90

Sample N

662

applicants this cycle

This cycle

—

no tracked aways yet

Match rate

1.2%

8 of 84 applicants

01Cohort funnelthis cycle

N = 662

Applied

662

100.0%

Invited

12.7%

Class size

1.2%

02Away rotation impact2024-25 cycle

+63pp lift

Non-rotators

48 of 617

Rotators

71%

32 of 45

Interview lift

+63pp

vs not rotating

Rotators got interviewed at 71%, vs 7% for everyone else. If you can secure a rotation here, you've effectively secured the interview.

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Contact

Program Director

Nicholas Alfonso, MD

Email director

Program Coordinator

Ashley Escobar

Email coordinator

Program website ↗

Training sites5 hospitals · Aurora

1
University of Colorado Hospital
Aurora, CO
Primary
2
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO
Sponsor
3
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
Denver, CO
Participant
4
Denver Health Medical Center
Denver, CO
Participant
5
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO
Participant

Rotator reports10 reports · paraphrased

hands-on

21-22Rotator in 2021/22 described a demanding, high-expectation program with strong chief operative skills, two-week blocks split between the academic center and the county hospital, and one to two call shifts per week. Rotators were told they were guaranteed an interview as of 2021. Rotator reported considering the program despite the workload.

Colorado

hands-on

25-26Rotator in 2025-26 described a two-week trauma block (at Denver Health or University Hospital) plus two weeks on a second service (spine, hand, sports, or joints). Denver Health was described as more hands-on and resident-run; University had more program leadership present. ~5-6 overnight trauma calls with at least one 24-hour weekend shift; post-call days were taken. Rotators meet with both the chair and PD. Faculty described as engaged teachers who involve rotators in the OR.
20-21Rotator in 2020/21 described a hard-working, efficiency-focused program with strong spine, trauma, peds, and hand training across 3 Level 1 hospitals. Rotators noted 4 months of PGY2 night float, demanding trauma hours, good camaraderie, supportive research infrastructure, and significant driving to satellite sites.
19-20Rotator in 2019/20 described a hard-working program where rotating sub-interns are expected to match that effort, with 4-5 calls and no post-call day. Rotators noted strong operative and knowledge development, strong camaraderie, and demanding junior years with limited time to read.
18-19Two rotators in 2018/19 described an extremely busy front-loaded program with 2 Level 1 adult hospitals, a Level 1 peds hospital, and a new VA producing highly competent operators. Rotators noted heavy workload through junior years, concerns about work-life balance, and spread-out clinical sites.
17-18Rotator in 2017/18 described exceptional training with heavy trauma exposure and light academic focus relative to peer programs.
16-17Rotator in 2016/17 described an up-and-coming program with strong surgical experience, a dedicated research block in PGY3, excellent facilities, and strong fellowship placement. Rotators noted heavy PGY2 workload on Denver Health trauma, significant driving between sites, and that the program selects heavily from rotators.
15-16Details withheld for this cycle.
14-15Rotator in 2014/15 described a well-regarded program with strong city lifestyle and a mix of resident personalities. Rotators noted trauma hours were rough with intense attending culture, while other rotations offered better hours, and that Denver skiing access was less convenient than expected.