The Colorado Health Foundation has made the long-term commitment to partner closely with nine communities across the state in effort to elevate solutions that drive health and health equity forward.

Why? Because when ideas are generated at a local level they are more likely to have staying power. They are also more likely to be reflective of the community’s needs and to be adopted and embraced by the community.

The Foundation recognizes that by partnering with communities over a longer period of time we can help support community-driven efforts on specific health-related issues, and work to build the capacity of local institutions, improve policies and systems, expand local leadership and stimulate broad civic engagement. Having a local focus will also enable us to cultivate networks that foster an enduring sense of community amongst all community members.

We are engaged in this effort in nine Colorado communities and a specific program officer has been assigned to each community. They are interested in meeting with community members to better understand their perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of the local context. You are encouraged to reach out to them – to grab a cup of coffee, ask them to join an upcoming meeting or to take a walking tour through your neighborhood.

Communities we’ve been working in locally since 2018:

• Alamosa County
  Contact: Monique Johnson
• Eagle County
  Contact: Chris Bui
• Morgan County
  Contact: Monique Johnson
• City of Pueblo (with a specific focus on the neighborhoods of Bessemer, East Pueblo and Hyde Park)
  Contact: Christopher Smith

Communities we began working in locally in 2020:

East Colfax Corridor (Northwest Aurora and Northeast Denver)
Contact: Scott Downes

Crowley County
Contact: Christopher Smith

Montrose County
Contact: Chris Bui

Otero County
Contact: Christopher Smith

Rio Grande County
Contact: Monique Johnson

Are you interested in connecting with us to discuss ideas, and potential support, on how to advance health and health equity in one of the above communities? Our assigned program officers would like to hear from you. In addition to connecting with us directly, we encourage you to check out our available funding.

Are you ready to transform your community with a KaBOOM! playground? Contact Sianna Simmon, community outreach coordinator, KaBOOM!

Read a series of blog posts by staff working locally in these communities to learn more about this body of work.

• Evolving Our Practice of Community Engagement, Jehan Benton-Clark
• The Space Around the "Yes" and the "No", Rose Green
• Who We Stand With and How We Show Up, Jehan Benton-Clark
• Recognizing What I Don’t Know, Monique Johnson
• Walking into Communities with Open Eyes, Ears and Hearts, Chris Bui, Rose Green, Monique Johnson, Christopher Smith
• A Junction of Poverty and Opportunity, Christopher Smith
• A Kaleidoscope of Possibilities: Addressing Health from a Local Perspective, Jehan Benton-Clark