Our Impact
Cultivating Healthy Communities
CSU Health Extension supports a range of health and wellness programs across Colorado aimed at strengthening behavioral health, nutrition, physical activity, nature access, food safety, and financial literacy education and reaching diverse audiences across the state, from youth to older adults.
Health Extension also expanded into diverse new programming areas and launched innovations in lifestyle and disease prevention education.
2024-25 Impact Highlights
11
Programs Supported Statewide
Including new lifestyle and disease prevention initiatives supported by internal mini-grants.
300+
Celebrating Aging Conference Participants
Attended the first-ever Celebrating Aging Conference held in the San Luis Valley.
350
‘Everyday Nutrition for Health’ Webinar Attendees
Quarterly webinars hosted by Health Extension have engaged more than 350 participants.
Featured Impact Stories
Impact Spotlight
Mini Grant Programs
In FY24–25, over $20,000 was awarded in mini-grants to Extension Specialists across Colorado to support innovative health and wellness programs. These projects strengthened nutrition, physical activity, nature access, food safety, and financial literacy education, reaching diverse audiences from youth to older adults. Learn more about the programs supported:
Kids in the Kitchen – Joy Akey, Golden Plains Region
Eleven youth ages 10–13 learned cooking skills, teamwork, and creativity through hands-on kitchen classes. Families benefited as participants cooked more at home.
Eat Well, Live Well – Jennifer Aengst, Mountain Region
Twenty-eight older adults in Jackson County participated in a community event promoting healthier eating and benefited from receiving a new cookbook that included local recipes and historical information.
Comprehensive Culinary Skills Development – Nicole Clark, La Plata County
Eight high school culinary students gained business, nutrition, and food safety experience by planning, marketing, and selling meal kits. The project strengthened career readiness while supporting 33 family and community members through meals prepared by students.
Garden to Kitchen & Meal Planning with Confidence – Nicole Clark, La Plata County
Twenty-one residents of Montezuma County learned cooking and gardening skills through themed workshops. The program fostered intergenerational learning, strengthened family bonds, and encouraged participants to support each other beyond the classroom.
Maintain NOT Gain Health Program – Jaci Wagner, Logan County
Twenty-two adults ages 34–82 participated in group-led exercise and wellness classes that encouraged accountability, social connection, and disease prevention.
Food Preserving with Confidence – Amber Webb, Larimer County
Twelve women in Larimer County’s Community Corrections program gained food preservation skills, with 100% reporting increased knowledge and confidence.
Promoting Food Safety for Non-English Speakers – Katie Maloney, Routt County
Ten food service workers in Northwest Colorado received training and certification support in Spanish and Chinese, aimed at improving community food safety.
Eco-Explorers & Trout Unlimited – Rachel Juritsch, Adams County
Middle school youth in Adams County engaged in 36 hours of nature-based programming, connecting youth and the outdoors through hands-on science and journaling. Additional programming with Colorado Trout Unlimited reached 24 more youth statewide.
Captain Ca$h: Youth Financial Education – Mary Snow, Jefferson County
Twenty Extension specialists received training to deliver high-quality, interactive financial education for third graders, aligning with Colorado State School Standards.
