Public health in Colorado is fragmented, and that fragmentation has hindered our collective ability to improve both the public health system and the impact that public health strategies have on the health of our citizens.  The fragmentation comes through state and local governmental public health, through a lack of a clear coordination among the various governmental agencies and associations.  Moreover, the numerous public health associations all bring strength to Colorado, but that strength has been diluted with limited resources and lack of cohesive approach and shared vision.  The organizations involved in the Alliance recognize a real need to work together in a collaborative way to improve public health in Colorado.  In order to strengthen public health in Colorado, the member organizations need to be connected and empowered - the organizations all believe that together they can accomplish more than individually.

At the beginning of 2007, the Colorado Health Foundation granted an initial 3-years of funding for this vision to become reality.  By organizing around one entity, centralized resources such as education and workforce development opportunities, public information about public health and public health programming, and public health policy information can be expressed and exchanged.  The larger vision of speaking together with one voice is being effectuated through the public health alliance of Colorado. 

The Alliance provides these services to the member organizations:

• Physical space conveniently located in central Denver in close proximity to the offices of Colorado Counties, Inc.
• Communication services and tools:  website maintenance, email postings, and a central repository of information.
• Strategies toward workforce development options.
• Reinforcement of the public health message, by being a point of contact for both the public health community and the public.
• Ongoing dialogue on how to build a stronger public health system in Colorado.
• Conference and event planning services.
• Public information and advocacy support.
• Bookkeeping and clerical assistance.
• Orientation to public health for elected officials and others. 

The Public Health Alliance did a strategic planning process to look at long-term viability and this report is an outline of that discussion.  Check out the strategic planning report.

Read the Mission, Vision, and Goals of the Alliance