In Good Health

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has exposed cracks in Colorado’s public systems. Findings from an April 2020 survey of 1,100 Coloradans we conducted in partnership with Healthier Colorado and Magellan Strategies, show that people living on low incomes (under $30,000 per household) have been hit hardest by the virus that’s shut down our economy.

We’ve lifted a few pieces of the data from that survey to help make sense of this. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Half of Coloradans living on low income (50%) think the worst is yet to come.

“I’m worried that I won’t have a job to go back to when it is over.” – Female, 18-29 years of age, Fremont County

• “[I worry] that

My phone vibrates with an alert, a press conference airs on TV and my Facebook feed lights up – each time with more decisions about how to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, how to protect our health and how to work toward economic recovery.

More than two months into this crisis, and with much to balance, the decisions are getting harder for officials. When to open up the economy? How to stretch the diminishing state budget? What supports to put in place for those who are struggling?

When decisions get hard, I start listening. As senior officer of public opinion insights, it’s my job. In my view, public opinion research is simply a form of listening – not to the

Everything we do is with an eye and ear toward community. That’s why during these tumultuous weeks, we’ve been anything but isolated. We’re using every means possible to stay connected and we continue to try to be a funder who listens first, acts second and then listens again. Listening to the stories and perspectives of Coloradans is among my favorite aspects of my role at the Foundation.

People bearing the brunt of injustices are the real experts. There’s a lot of noise out there right now and it’s crucial that we cut through it. Mothers and fathers have answers. Nurses, behavioral health workers and shelter staff have answers. School cafeteria workers, bus drivers and teachers have answers. Grocery stockers, food

Coloradans are facing unparalleled health, social and economic setbacks as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While this crisis may be temporary for some, it’s slamming the door on stability and well-being for others – deepening inequities that keep health out of reach.

People who have historically had less power and privilege due to race and socioeconomic status are bearing the brunt – losing jobs, health care (if they were lucky enough to have it in the first place), child care and even their homes. These families have defied the odds time and time again, yet this new landscape is buckling their knees and testing resilience. Where is their relief?

Organizations working on the front lines to address rapidly