ABOUT
The largest organization of physicians in Colorado, CMS champions health care issues that improve patient care, promote physician professional satisfaction and create healthier communities in Colorado.
About CMS
Founded in 1871, the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) is the largest organization of physicians in Colorado, with more than 6,000 members across all specialties and employment settings. Organized as a Colorado nonprofit 501(c)(6), corporation, CMS operates with 11 full-time staff.
Philanthropically, CMS created the CMS Education Foundation whose mission is to support education by providing scholarships to worthy Colorado medical students.
Through the years, CMS has also played an instrumental role in the formation and support of vital Colorado institutions such as COPIC, Center for Personalized Education for Professionals (CPEP) and Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP), all as part of its mission to improve Colorado’s health care environment for physicians and the patients they serve.
Lastly, CMS created and manages both its nonpartisan political action committee, COMPAC, whose goal is to support and elect pro-physician, pro-patient candidates on the state level, and the CMS Small Donor Committee, which works to elect candidates who support medicine’s efforts to preserve Colorado’s stable tort environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Colorado Medical Society (CMS)?
The Colorado Medical Society (CMS) is the statewide professional community for physicians and medical students in Colorado. CMS is one of the few places where physicians across specialties, practice settings, and career stages intentionally come together—outside of their hospitals and clinics.
CMS creates opportunities to connect, step away from work, and build real relationships through local and statewide events, while also advocating for physicians and patient care across Colorado.
Why belong to CMS?
Physicians have many organizations they can join—but CMS isn’t just about membership.
CMS is for physicians who want to:
- Meet peers outside their own practice or system
- Build relationships across specialties and career stages
- Reconnect with the profession in casual, non‑clinical settings
- Have a reason to step away from work and into community
CMS also provides strong advocacy, physician‑focused resources, and leadership opportunities—but at its core, it’s a statewide physician community with real, in‑person connection points.
Learn more on the Why Belong page.
Who can join CMS?
CMS membership is open to:
- Colorado physicians (MDs and DOs), including Residents and Fellows
- Colorado medical students enrolled in MD or DO programs
What memberships does CMS offer?
CMS offers classifications that reflect different career stages and work arrangements:
- Active Member – Practicing 20+ hours/week (most members)
- Active Member – Part-Time – Practicing 1–20 hours/week; half dues
- Active I / Active II – Physicians 1–2 years out of training; reduced dues
- Graduate Member – Residents and fellows; CMS dues covered
- Medical Student Member – No dues for CMS or AMA
- Retired Member – Fully retired members; Emeritus/Emerita are retired and have been CMS members for 20+ years
- Military Member – Reduced dues
- Dues Exempt Member – Temporary hardship situations (reviewed annually)
There’s a place for you—whether you’re in training, mid‑career, transitioning, or retired.
What is a component society?
Your component society is your local county or regional medical society, based on where you live or work.
CMS has unified membership, meaning you pay one dues amount to belong to CMS (statewide) and your local component society.
Component societies host local gatherings, networking events, and leadership opportunities—making it easier to connect with physicians near you.
Which component societies are active?
CMS has 10 active component societies across Colorado, including:
- Arapahoe‑Douglas‑Elbert
- Aurora‑Adams County
- Boulder County
- Denver
- El Paso County
- Foothills
- Intermountain
- Mesa County
- Northern Colorado
- Pueblo County
If your area doesn’t have an active component society, you still receive full CMS benefits, Board representation, and support to help create local connection opportunities.
How do I join CMS?
Joining is simple and completed online. Visit the Join CMS page to apply and select your local component society.
I represent a company serving physicians. How can I partner with CMS?
CMS offers marketing and sponsorship opportunities for organizations providing products or services that benefit Colorado physicians, including:
- Event sponsorships
- Email newsletter sponsorships
- Advertising in Colorado Medicine
- Partners in Medicine opportunities
Learn more on the Marketing Opportunities page.
How do I contact CMS?
Get in touch with CMS staff through the Contact Us page.
Colorado Medical Society
720‑859‑1001 | Denver, Colorado
CMS exists to make medicine less isolating—and more connected.
If you’re looking for community beyond your practice, there is a place for you here.