At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), supporting worker well-being is more than a workplace initiative—it’s part of the agency’s mission to protect and improve the health of communities across Colorado. By partnering with the Centers for Health, Work & Environment’s Health Links® program, CDPHE is embedding the Total Worker Health® approach into every level of its workforce.
A Comprehensive Approach to Workforce Well-being
With Health Links’ advising, assessment, and education, CDPHE has created a person-centered Total Worker Health (TWH) program that supports employees at every stage of their career. From onboarding to retirement, staff benefit from a wide range of support services, robust mental health resources, ergonomic assistance, and family-friendly policies, designed to meet the diverse needs of employees.
“If you’re looking to build a more supportive and sustainable workplace, start by listening,” says Dan McKenna, TWH program manager at CDPHE. “Then, partner strategically with organizations like Health Links to bring in expertise and build sustainable programming.”
Embedding TWH into Policy, Culture, and Leadership
This commitment to well-being is not an add-on; it is woven into the department's fabric. CDPHE’s TWH Oversight Committee and subcommittees ensure that health and safety principles are integrated into policies and practices across divisions. Leaders at every level actively model these values, reinforcing that workforce well-being is a shared responsibility.
Total Worker Health® is a holistic approach to worker well-being that integrates occupational safety and health protection with health promotion to prevent worker injury and illness and to advance health and well-being. Learn more.
A Longstanding Partnership with Health Links
Since 2013, CDPHE and Health Links have worked together to move beyond traditional wellness programs and toward a fully integrated TWH model. Through assessments, advising, annual events, and webinars, the partnership has helped the department identify needs, implement evidence-based strategies, and stay aligned with emerging best practices—even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic underscored the importance of flexibility and responsiveness. By listening closely to employees and adapting programs quickly, CDPHE and Health Links strengthened workforce supports in ways that extended far beyond the department—demonstrating how investment in employee well-being ultimately benefits the health of Colorado communities.
