An unidentified intruder broke into the outdoor oxygen storage facility at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora on 3 September at 3:30 am and intentionally disrupted the oxygen supply. The suspect, now in custody, was captured on surveillance footage scaling a fence and appeared to know what they were doing. This incident is significant because tampering with a hospital's central oxygen supply poses grave risks to vulnerable patients, including those under general anaesthesia, premature infants in neonatal intensive care units, and those with severe respiratory failure.

The 831-bed hospital's alarm systems detected the pressure drop and staff quickly switched to backup oxygen supplies before any patients were affected. Separate oxygen tanks throughout the medical centre provided additional safeguards. Police were alerted after security staff reported falling oxygen rates, and the intruder was not hospital staff nor did they receive inside assistance. The Colorado Hospital Association stated it had never encountered such an incident before, praising the hospital's swift response and preparedness. Security has been increased at the facility since the attack, and there is currently no risk to the public or hospital.