Priorities

The Colorado Health Foundation has chosen priority areas where we believe our efforts can drive health equity and racial justice, making a real difference in the health of people throughout Colorado. These priority areas are guided by four strategic focus areas, in which we:

1. Champion Power Shifting
2. Advance Health and Well-being
3. Support Community Solutions
4. Reimagine Systems

We know that these priority areas are connected and if we address them, together, we can make an impact on the unfair differences in health and opportunities that exist in Colorado. Learn why these priorities are so important to health equity and racial justice. We encourage you to reach out to one of our program officers dedicated to each area for questions.

Priority Areas

Adult Recovery

Learn why and how we support recovery services for substance abuse and mental health. It's important that these programs are easy to access and works in ways that align with a person’s background, culture and values.

Advocacy

Learn why and how we support bringing the interests of low-income communities and people of color to influence public policy. Their voices can contribute to policy outcomes that improve and advance health equity.

Affordable Housing

Learn why and how we support pathways to create a more inclusive housing market. Public health research has shown a strong link between housing and health-related issues, including racial and socioeconomic segregation.

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Capacity Building

Learn why and how we drive lasting change so individuals, organizations and communities have the resources they need to exercise their power and work together to advance health equity and racial justice.

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Community Solutions

Learn why and how we support communities in identifying and addressing health challenges on their own terms. They have the cultural context and relationships needed to identify and solve the public health issues they experience.

Economic Opportunity

Learn why and how we support economic opportunity for all Coloradans. Financial well-being and health go hand in hand. When people have fewer economic concerns, they are more likely to maintain a baseline of health.

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Locally Focused Work

Learn why and how we center the power of local communities to drive real change. We're working with nine communities across Colorado that reflect some of the biggest disparities around health, income, geographic and other identities.

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Primary Care

Learn why and how we work in communities across Colorado to ensure everyone has access to high-quality, patient-centered, comprehensive primary care. Without it, Coloradans of color may experience worse health outcomes.

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Thriving Young People

Learn why and how we work toward a future where young people feel a sense of belonging and community, and have access to resources like education and social supports that contribute to their mental health and total well-being.

Food Access and Security

From 2019 – 2024, the Colorado Health Foundation committed to ensuring all Coloradans could access nutritious, affordable food with dignity. While food access and security is no longer one of our active funding priorities, we remain proud of this work and the change it helped fuel. We’re encouraged by the community voice and power that continue to drive meaningful change on this issue and look forward to seeing sustained progress in the food space across our state. Learn more.