June 2010 marked the 25th anniversary of when The Colorado Trust first opened its doors. The Colorado Trust was established from the proceeds of the sale of the PSL Healthcare Corporation (Presbyterian/Saint Luke's Medical Center) which, at the time, was the region's largest private health care provider. The original $191 million endowment has translated into nearly $347 million in grants made to more than 2,000 grantees in support of various efforts to advance health and well-being, across all 64 Colorado counties. (Please also see A History of The Colorado Trust, by John R. Moran, Jr., former President and CEO of the foundation.)
From its inception, The Colorado Trust has sought to understand the state's most pressing health needs, and to develop grant strategies that address many of those needs. In 1988, The Trust commissioned its first statewide poll to capture Coloradans' health care experiences, concerns and attitudes. A number of the findings of that poll are remarkably similar to those in a poll we commissioned at the beginning of 2010. For example, in 1988 and 2010, Coloradans reported cost to be their number one concern with regard to the state's health care system. And in 1988, nearly a quarter of Coloradans – 570,000 – were not covered by health insurance. In 2010, more Coloradans – an estimated 970,000 – were uninsured, though they represented a slightly smaller percentage (19%) of our overall population.
While much work remains to provide adequate health coverage to all Coloradans, and to ensure access to a health care system that delivers quality, affordable care, significant improvements also have been realized. Such successes include the state's ability to better cover children through the public health insurance program (the Child Health Plan Plus, which began in 1997), to the promise of covering 100,000+ uninsured Coloradans as a result of last year's Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act and, of course, the realization of the long-sought federal health care reform.
To acknowledge the milestone of its 25th year, The Trust granted $250,000 to strengthen the work of 10 nonprofit organizations and groups working across Colorado to improve health care for children. In announcing the grant recipients, Ned Calonge, MD, Colorado Trust President and CEO noted that, "One of the top priorities within The Colorado Trust's commitment to achieve access to health for all Coloradans is seeing that every child in our state has a real opportunity to grow up healthy. This is particularly important given the high rate of children living in poverty, and our state's challenging fiscal situation."
Throughout the year, we also shared stories of change and accomplishment that demonstrate remarkable gains made by dedicated individuals, organizations and communities in improving Coloradan's health and well-being. While the organizations, locations and specific issues being addressed vary from story to story, the common denominator is collaboration and partnership. From its earliest days, The Colorado Trust has been committed to helping people work together. We know that changing complex systems, policies and practices requires the efforts of many.
We look forward to working with many more dedicated individuals and groups in the years ahead in our shared commitment to making access to health a reality for all Coloradans.
- All Kids Covered 2010
- Bright Futures for Early Childhood and Families
- Colorado Medical Home Initiative
- Denver Health – South High School's School-based Health Center
- Eagle Care Medical Clinic
- Family Medicine Center
- Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association
- Pueblo City-County Health Department
- Southwest Open School's School-based Health Center
- Summit Community Care Clinic
