Local, state and federal officials attended a ceremony to break ground at the site of the new Veterans Administration Medical Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.

The Aug. 22 groundbreaking included the participation of Gov. Bill Ritter, members of Colorado's congressional delegation, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.

The new standalone medical center will replace the outdated VA hospital at East Ninth Avenue in Denver, and will offer 200 beds and treatment for patients from the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. Officials expect the $800 million medical facility to open in January 2014.