Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognizes Alamosa County for bringing partners together to create opportunity for all

‘Culture of Health’ Prize

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognizes Alamosa County for bringing partners together to create opportunity for all

ALAMOSA — Alamosa County is one of ten winners of the 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Prize honors and elevates communities for working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity.

Alamosa County is being nationally recognized for pursuing innovative ideas and bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health. Alamosa County’s award-winning efforts include initiatives such as San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) and the Rio Grande Farm Park. The City of Alamosa and SLV GO! have partnered to double the city’s trail mileage to over 24 miles, making recreation more accessible. SLV GO! also promotes the value of spending time outdoors to improve health and wellness. The Rio Grande Farm Park serves a dual purpose: offering regenerative agriculture educational opportunities and providing land access and economic opportunity for local farmers. Other initiatives and programs resulting in real progress in Alamosa County include the Healthy Eating, Active Living initiative and the SLV Health Access Risk Reduction Project, a comprehensive harm reduction program.

“The people of Alamosa County are what really make this an incredible place to live, work, and play,” said Patrick Ortiz, operations director for the San Luis Valley Great Outdoors Coalition. “I’m so grateful to all of our partners in this effort, the work they do helps people every day, and we are proud to play a part in recognizing that.”

“The 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are striving to make good health and well-being achievable for all their residents,” said Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of RWJF. “They understand the clear connection between the opportunity for health and education, jobs, and housing. They are leaning into community-led solutions that break down barriers caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.”

Alamosa County will receive a $25,000 prize, join a network of Prize-winning communities, and have its inspiring accomplishments shared throughout the nation. The other nine winning communities are: Addison, Ill.; Chickaloon Native Village; Drew, Miss.; Howard County, Md.; National City, Calif.; Palm Beach County, Fla.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; Thunder Valley Community—Oglala Lakota Nation (Oceti Sakowin Territory), and Worcester, Mass.

Alamosa County now joins Lake County as the second Colorado community to win the distinguished Prize.

“We are so thankful to bring this Prize home to our community and the people who have worked so hard to make Alamosa County a more welcoming, healthy, and equitable place to live, work, and play,” said Liza Marron, steward of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition.

To become an RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Alamosa County had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria:

• Defining health in the broadest possible terms.

• Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.

• Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.

• Maximizing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.

• Securing and making the most of available resources.

• Measuring and sharing progress and results.

“I am proud of this award for our partners SLV GO! and the SLV Local Foods Coalition,” said Andy Rice, parks, recreation, and library director for the City of Alamosa. “The honor exemplifies our strong collaboration, sense of community, and the quality of life improvements we have made together.”

The Foundation will honor this year’s winners, November 9-10, during a virtual RWJF Culture of Health Prize Celebration and Learning Event. During the event, representatives from the Prize communities will talk through the different ways they are leveraging their strengths and bringing partners together to expand opportunity. The 10 new winners will also connect with their 44 fellow Prize Alumni communities.

2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize Award Ceremony 1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. ET

Prize winners will be presented their certificates and offer acceptance remarks.

Please note: Event will be broadcast live at http://rwjf.org/prize.

Prize Winner Conversations 2:45-3:30 p.m. ET & 3:45-4:30 p.m. ET

The 2020-2021 Prize winners will discuss how they are cultivating a shared commitment to equity and working to address the full spectrum of factors that influence health and well-being. They will reflect on how they are incorporating the wisdom, voice, experience, and leadership of community residents in their efforts.

Please note: Event will be broadcast live at http://rwjf.org/prize.

Learn about the Prize-winning work underway in Alamosa County through a collection of videos, written profiles, and photos at www.rwjf.org/Prize.