A little over an hour into the New Year, Greeley residents, Graciela Martinez and Alejandro Regalado, celebrated the arrival of their first child, a baby boy. Born at 1:01 a.m. on January 1, 2026, he became the first baby delivered at UCHealth Greeley Hospital this year, marking a joyful start to the New Year for the couple.
Martinez, who was at her mother’s home for a birthday celebration on New Year’s Eve, realized it was time to head to the hospital around 10:30 p.m.. “I called my husband and I’m like, get ready,” she recounted, highlighting the unexpected timing of their son’s birth. The baby, named after his father, weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.
Reflecting on the surprise of having the first baby of the year, Martinez expressed, “Obviously, it wasn’t planned or anything but that’s pretty cool. Thank God, we’re actually doing really well.”
If all goes according to plan, Martinez and her newborn are expected to return home by Friday morning. As a gesture of celebration, the hospital will present the family with a gift basket containing baby clothing, blankets, and various other items.
In 2025, UCHealth Greeley Hospital welcomed a total of 730 babies, showcasing its crucial role in the community. At the time of publication, information regarding the first baby born at Banner North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley for 2026 was not yet available.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of new beginnings, as families across the globe celebrate the transition into a new year filled with hope and joy.
