We’ve Been Improving Public Health Since 1993.

Over the last three decades, Trailhead has evolved as a strategic partner for community-based organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and philanthropic leaders working to address Colorado’s public health challenges.

Our Public Health Journey

Throughout our long history, we’ve strengthened public health efforts through premier fiscal sponsorship, leading public health programs, and by administering funding on behalf of academic and governmental agencies to help resources reach the communities that need them most.

1993

Trailhead Institute is founded.

Trailhead Institute is founded as the Colorado Foundation for Public Health and Environment (CFPHE) to manage and distribute public health funds from the State of Colorado to local communities.

1998

The Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership is created with CFPHE’s flagship Advanced Leadership Training Program.

2008

A part-time Executive Director begins to build organizational capacity.

The Community Engagement Program is developed in partnership with the University of Colorado’s Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI).

2011

CFPHE expands its services to a traditional fiscal sponsor, serving projects outside of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

2014

CFPHE expands its Community Engagement Program, working with the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

2015

CFPHE and Colorado Health Institute co-develop Colorado’s Regional Health Connector (RHC) Program.

The RHC program begins with two RHCs serving the Denver Metro area.
CFPHE expands its fiscal sponsorship and community engagement programs.
Ten staff members join the organization.

2017

CFPHE rebrands as Trailhead Institute.

The RHCs expand to all 21 Health Statistics Regions in Colorado.
Trailhead hires its first Affiliate staff member.

2018

Trailhead becomes the Program Office for the Provecho Collective (previously known as Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger).

Trailhead integrates the Youth Sexual Health Program (YSHP) from Colorado Youth Matter (CYM) as a program after CYM announces its closure.

2019

close-up of five diverse college friends smiling while taking a selfie outdoors on a sunny day.

YSHP works with nine rural and urban school districts through Working to Institutionalize Sex Education.

Trailhead welcomes 13 new Administrative Partners.
Strong revenue growth of $4.39 million through both new and ongoing partnerships.

2020

Trailhead supports critical COVID-19 emergency response efforts.

Trailhead manages the COVID-19 Emergency Hunger Relief Fund. Awards over 400 grants and $4.3 million by February 2021.
Trailhead’s Colorado Public Health Workforce Collaborative starts, uniting nonprofits, government, hospitals, and higher education in COVID-19 containment.
Trailhead administers the Colorado Farm & Food Systems Respond & Rebuild Fund, distributing nearly $2 million to local producers, benefiting over 250 farmers and families.

2021

Regional Health Connector Program Summit in Colorado

RHC is recognized in Colorado’s Behavioral Health Recovery Act, receiving $1 million to expand behavioral health work.

Trailhead supports Colorado’s first Community Health Worker apprenticeship program and CHW training.
Trailhead supports 30 fiscally sponsored partners for community-driven solutions.

2022

Colorado Public Health Works (CPHW), an integrated AmeriCorps Registered Apprenticeship program, begins.

Trailhead and the Colorado Health Institute co-locate.
Trailhead grows to 37 staff and affiliates.

2023

NNPHI Public Health Infrastructure Grant Region 8 Convening

Trailhead becomes a regional hub partner for the CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant.

YSHP implements a Fee-for-Service model and has partners across Colorado, including in San Luis Valley, Chaffee County, the Western Slope, and Metro Denver.
Trailhead grows to 37 staff and affiliates.
Trailhead administers the Health Care Provider Training Grant Program for the Office of Health Equity. Over 1,700 health care providers complete 106 training sessions to better serve marginalized communities.

2024

The Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC) becomes a program of Trailhead.

Trailhead is selected as a host site for Colorado’s Youth Mental Health Corps.
Trailhead nearly doubles in size, growing to 49 staff and affiliate staff.
$16 million in revenue is generated for community-driven solutions from 43 fiscally sponsored projects.

2025

Trailhead completes a new five-year strategic plan.

APP brings on 13 partners, now serving over 50 community-based partners.
CCTSI and Trailhead enter their 17th year of partnership, providing over 75 pilot grant awards to support community-based participatory research throughout communities in Colorado.

Let’s Work Together

We have a long history of collaboration. Let’s discuss how we can work together.