Go to urgent care when a problem needs same-day attention but is not life-threatening — a fever that will not break, a sprain you cannot put weight on, a cut that may need stitches, an infection that is getting worse. Go to the emergency room instead for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, or a major head injury. If your issue can safely wait days and is part of managing an ongoing condition, your primary care provider is the better fit.
This guide covers what urgent care handles, how it differs from the ER and from your regular doctor, and what to bring. Three Peaks Urgent Care runs walk-in clinics in Aurora and Lakewood, open daily 8 AM to 8 PM, with X-ray, lab testing and a pharmacy on site.
When to go to urgent care
Urgent care sits between your primary care provider and the emergency department. It is built for problems that cannot wait for an appointment but do not need a hospital. Choose urgent care when:
- Symptoms started recently and are getting worse — a fever that keeps climbing, a cough that has settled into your chest, pain that is spreading.
- You cannot get in to see your regular doctor — it is a weekend, an evening, or the next opening is days away.
- You need a test or an X-ray to know what is wrong — strep, flu, a possible fracture, a suspected urinary tract infection.
- You need paperwork on short notice — a sports physical, a DOT physical, a pre-employment screening.
- You do not have a primary care provider yet and need to be seen now.
No appointment is required at either clinic. Walk in during opening hours and you will be seen in the order you arrive.
What urgent care treats
Illnesses
- Colds, flu and COVID-19 symptoms
- Sore throat and strep throat
- Sinus infections and ear infections
- Bronchitis and other respiratory infections
- Stomach bugs, nausea, vomiting and dehydration
- Urinary tract infections
- Pink eye
- Rashes, insect bites and non-severe allergic reactions
Injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Simple fractures
- Cuts that may need stitches
- Minor burns
- Back and joint pain
- Workplace injuries
Testing, physicals and preventive care
- On-site X-ray and lab testing, so results and treatment happen in one visit
- DOT, sports and school physicals
- Immigration physicals — the Aurora clinic has a USCIS-designated civil surgeon
- STD testing and treatment
- IV hydration therapy
- Vaccinations, including seasonal flu shots
See the full list of services for what each clinic offers.
When to go to the emergency room instead
Call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency department if you or someone with you has any of the following:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Signs of a stroke — face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A serious head injury or loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- A severe allergic reaction
Urgent care is not equipped for these and is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are unsure how serious something is, treat it as an emergency. For a fuller breakdown of the two, read urgent care vs the ER.
Urgent care vs primary care
Primary care and urgent care do different jobs, and using the right one saves time and money.
Your primary care provider manages your health over time — annual physicals, chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, prescription management, referrals to specialists, and screenings. They know your history, which matters for anything ongoing.
Urgent care handles the sudden and the short-term. Providers treat the problem in front of them, give you a plan, and send the visit details on so your regular doctor can follow up. It is the right call when the timing does not work for a scheduled appointment — but it is not a replacement for having a primary care provider.
A useful rule: if it is new, sudden and needs attention today, urgent care. If it is ongoing, preventive, or part of a longer plan, primary care.
Urgent care, primary care and the ER compared
| Primary care | Urgent care | Emergency room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Ongoing conditions, prevention, screenings | New problems needing same-day attention | Life-threatening emergencies |
| Appointment | Usually required | Not required — walk in | Not required |
| Typical wait for care | Days to weeks for an opening | Seen the same day | Sickest patients seen first |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Lower than the ER | Highest |
| On-site X-ray and labs | Varies | Yes, at both Three Peaks clinics | Yes, plus CT and MRI |
| Knows your history | Yes | No — records are shared with your provider | No |
What urgent care cannot do
Knowing the limits is as useful as knowing the uses. Urgent care clinics do not admit patients to hospital, do not perform surgery, and do not carry advanced imaging such as CT or MRI. They are not set up for major trauma, active labour, or psychiatric emergencies. They also do not replace ongoing management of chronic conditions — that stays with your primary care provider. If a provider finds something that needs a hospital, they will direct you there.
What to expect at your visit
What to bring
- Photo ID
- Your insurance card, or your payment method if you are paying yourself
- A list of the medications you take
- Any known allergies
- A note of your symptoms and when they started
How the visit works
- Check in at the front desk with your ID and insurance or payment details.
- Assessment — a provider goes through your symptoms and examines you.
- Testing, if needed — X-ray or lab work is done on site, so you are not sent elsewhere and asked to come back.
- Diagnosis and treatment — the provider explains what is going on and starts treatment. Prescriptions can be filled at the on-site pharmacy.
- Follow-up — you leave with written instructions and, where needed, a referral or a recommendation to see your primary care provider.
Costs are set out on the pricing page, and accepted plans and self-pay options are listed under insurance and self-pay.
Where to go in Aurora and Lakewood
Both clinics are walk-in and open daily, 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Aurora — 3471 N Salida St. Walk-in urgent care in Aurora.
- Lakewood — 98 Wadsworth Blvd. Walk-in urgent care in Lakewood.
Directions and contact details for both are on the locations page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for urgent care?
No. Both Three Peaks clinics take walk-ins during opening hours, 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Patients are seen in the order they arrive.
Is urgent care cheaper than the emergency room?
For non-emergency problems, urgent care is generally the lower-cost option, because emergency departments are staffed and equipped for critical care. Exact costs depend on your plan and what treatment you need — see pricing and insurance and self-pay.
Can urgent care do X-rays and lab tests?
Yes. Both clinics have X-ray and lab testing on site, so diagnosis and treatment can usually happen in the same visit.
Can my child be seen at urgent care?
Yes. Both clinics treat patients of all ages, including children — common reasons include earaches, sore throats, fevers, sports injuries and school or sports physicals.
What is the difference between a walk-in clinic and urgent care?
The terms overlap, but urgent care clinics typically offer a wider range of services, including X-ray and lab testing. See walk-in clinic vs urgent care for the full comparison.
What should I do if I am not sure whether to go to urgent care or the ER?
If there is any chance the problem is life-threatening — chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding — call 911 or go to the emergency room. When in doubt, choose emergency care.
Walk in when you need care
Three Peaks Urgent Care is open daily, 8 AM to 8 PM, in Aurora and Lakewood, with X-ray, labs and a pharmacy on site. No appointment needed.
