Policy & Advocacy
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Championing local public health at state government
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CALPHO's Policy Committee - 2026 Legislative ActionRead CALPHO's 2026 Post-Session Legislative Report for a deep dive into our 2026 bill positions, coalition advocacy, and key achievements this year.
CALPHO's Policy Committee meets every two weeks during the legislative session (and monthly during the interim) to deliberate on policies with significant impact in its member-selected priority areas. For 2026, priorities included Communicable Disease Prevention, Investigation, and Control (includes a focus on immunizations); Behavioral Health & Substance Use Prevention; Access to Care through Medicaid; and Environmental Health. In additional, CALPHO always prioritizes policies related to Local Public Health Infrastructure and Funding. |
CALPHO's 2026 Policy Committee
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Past Legislative Reports and Positions
For additional details on the Association’s positions, member-selected policy priorities, and further analyses, check out these resources:
Lobbying at the Colorado General Assembly
CALPHO is the state’s leading champion for local governmental public health with Colorado’s state and county governments. CALPHO actively lobbies at the state legislature on member-selected priorities, with a focus on creating the conditions that allow LPHAs to protect their community members and promote their communities' health priorities.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated chronic underfunding and workforce gaps that limit LPHAs' capacity to succeed. Recognizing this, CALPHO revamped its advocacy strategy in 2022 to prioritize funding levels & funding flexibility, organizational infrastructure, and workforce retention as long-term objectives. Additionally, members determine more specific legislative priorities on an annual basis. CALPHO is represented at the Capitol by Eliza Schultz of Schultz Public Affairs, LLC.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated chronic underfunding and workforce gaps that limit LPHAs' capacity to succeed. Recognizing this, CALPHO revamped its advocacy strategy in 2022 to prioritize funding levels & funding flexibility, organizational infrastructure, and workforce retention as long-term objectives. Additionally, members determine more specific legislative priorities on an annual basis. CALPHO is represented at the Capitol by Eliza Schultz of Schultz Public Affairs, LLC.
CALPHO members testify in opposition to HB26-1033
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CALPHO's member-driven advocacy processOur policy committee is comprised of public health professionals from across the state. They typically represent different levels of leadership and the various public health specialties, such as environmental health and emergency preparedness. Committee members:
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2026 Session Stats - January 14 to May 13
CALPHO Legislator Recognition
Each year, CALPHO recognizes legislators who demonstrate steadfast support of local public health interests throughout the session. We are grateful to these legislators for their hard work, leadership, and partnership!
CALPHO's 2025 Legislator of the Year recipients, Senator Dylan Roberts (D), and Representative Meghan Lukens (D). Two other awardees not pictured: Representatives Rick Taggart (R) and Matt Soper (R).
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CALPHO’s 2024 Legislator of the Year recipients, Representative Shannon Bird (D) and Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer (R).
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For more information on CALPHO's policy and advocacy work, contact CALPHO Policy Director Allie Morgan.