Health Grants Promote Collaboration in Pikes Peak Region

The Colorado Springs Health Foundation recently split more than $118,000 among four different health-related collaborative efforts in the Pikes Peak Region.

Cari Davis directs the Colorado Springs Health Foundation. She says the organization holds collaboration as one of its central values.

"Health is complicated, and oftentimes to truly make improvements in complex social issues like health, health status, you need multiple perspectives," she says. "You need organizations and people and disciplines working together."

The Woodland Aquatic Project, an initiative to build an aquatic center in Teller County, is among the recipients. Woodland Park City Manager, David Buttery, says the facility will enable active living in the area year round. 

"We're a lot colder here than in Denver or even Colorado Springs, and so our winter activities are limited," Buttery says. "So people were hoping for having activities that could be conducted indoors."

Buttery says the project involves collaboration with the school district and senior centers. In addition to its other community services, the center will host PE classes and the high school swim team. It's expected to open next year. 

The grant was part of the second ever funding cycle for the Colorado Springs Health Foundation, which was established in 2012.