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Yesterday marked the sixth annual Health Links™  event, Celebrating Colorado’s Healthiest Places to Work. In a demonstration of the state’s commitment to worker health, safety, and well-being, Governor Jared Polis proclaimed August 15th Total Worker Health® Day. Seven organizations and one individual were honored with awards for their dedication to workplace health, safety, and well-being. Poudre School District was presented with the Governor’s Award for Worksite Wellness by the Governor’s Council for Healthy and Active Lifestyles in partnership with Health Links, a program based at the Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health.   

"With more than three million working Coloradans, employers in Colorado play a critical role in protecting and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of our citizens every day,” said Tawny Espinoza, president of the Governor's Council for Active and Healthy Lifestyles. “Through our partnership with Health Links, the Governor's Council for Active and Healthy Lifestyles is able to confidently recognize employers who demonstrate excellence in employee health and safety and who serve as models for Total Worker Health for employers across Colorado." 

This year’s awards and winners included:   

• The Governor’s Award for Worksite Wellness — Poudre School District, Fort Collins, CO 
• The Halo Award — Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Denver, CO 
• The Innovation Award — Denver Health, Denver, CO 
• Champion of Well-being – Leader — Boulder County, Boulder, CO
• Champion of Well-being – Partner — Roice-Hurst Humane Society, Grand Junction, CO
• Champion of Well-being – Certified — Turning the Corner, Boulder, CO   
• The Director’s Award — Colleen Bechtel, Summit Community Care Clinic, Frisco, CO 
• The Dedication Award — The Human Bean, Evans, CO   

Poudre School District has been a Health Links Certified Healthy Workplace™ Leader — the highest achievement — since 2015. The district offers a walk-in clinic, a robust wellness program, and employee assistance services, including confidential counseling, to all employees. Staff has access to flu shots, insurance discounts for completing biometric screenings, as well as discounted nutrition classes and free fitness classes every month.   

“The significance of winning this award far exceeds simple recognition,” shared Amanda Brantley, the district’s wellness manager. “Winning this award means that we have an obligation to empower our employees to take care of themselves, each other, and the PSD community. It is an honor to be recognized amongst some of the most innovative employee wellness programs in Colorado.”   

Winners of the 2019 awards were selected based on merit from the Health Links Healthy Workplace Assessment™ and award criteria. The Healthy Workplace Assessment is an online tool that scores organizations across six evidence-based benchmarks for workplace health and safety.   

“These organizations are making significant investment in promoting and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the Colorado workforce.” said Lili Tenney, director of Health Links. “And this year to have the Governor proclaim the day officially as Total Worker Health Day represents just how important this work is to shaping the future of our state.” 

About Health Links 

Health Links is a mentoring program that champions health and safety at work. We offer evidence-based Healthy Workplace Certification™ and advising to help organizations and their team members achieve Total Worker Health®. Our team is based in the Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health. As a nonprofit program within a university, we use evidence-based strategies to help organizations improve workplace health and safety. For more information, visit healthlinkscertified.org.