In Colorado, research team fosters community connection to improve resilience

The U.S. Mountain West is facing a variety of health risks linked to extreme weather. These health hazards, including wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat, have a particular impact on people living in traditionally underresourced communities, both urban and rural alike. A research project based at the University of Colorado Denver called Mountain West Hub (MWHub), working as part of CEAL’s ACE-PATH program, set out to better understand how these health stressors impact Colorado residents and cultivate community strengths to boost local resilience and research capabilities.

To do this, the MWHub team established four advisory boards. Two were community-focused, centered in urban West Denver (WD) and rural San Luis Valley (SLV). Another was science-focused, made up of scientists interested in discussing and promoting research approaches to foster resilience. The last group was policy-focused, invested in applying solutions across different sectors and systems at the state and local levels. Researchers’ interviews with these advisory boards shed light on the communities’ specific challenges, priorities, and opportunities for current and future actions, promoting civic engagement and relationship-building in the process.

The researchers’ findings

• The WD Community Advisory Board highlighted collaborative, community-led solutions already in place to help tackle some of its greatest challenges linked to extreme weather. These included poor air quality and drought, as well as heat and wildfires.
• Interviews from the SLV Community Advisory Board also revealed a strong sense of community and resilience, both historical and ongoing. They noted heat, wildfires, poor air quality, and water quantity and quality as the leading interconnected health stressors.
• The science-focused board emphasized ways to improve resilience through communication, including clear messaging and guidance, especially in emergencies.
• The board dealing with policy and practice noted the importance of public engagement to push for more programs, including those helping with wildfire preparedness and improving systems like public transportation.

The evidence-informed opportunities

• The recommendations stemming from this work have already had implications for practice, policy, and research. For example, community-led efforts to improve air and water quality are already underway. 
• Analyzing and integrating community perspectives are key ways to further civic engagement and participation and advance improved health for all.
• The insights from across the two Colorado communities also informed the next phase of study for MWHub, which is now testing an air quality intervention. As the team moves to its next chapter of research, it will continue to cultivate the partnerships established in phase I.