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Embedded throughout the University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder, the Health Promotion office is redefining how a university can foster student, faculty, and staff well-being. By focusing on accessibility, equity, education, collaboration, peer support, and innovation, the team has built a foundation for a healthier, more connected campus. Here’s how their efforts over the past year have transformed the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder community.Ìý

Enhancing Accessibility to ResourcesÌý

The Health Promotion office works to reduce barriers to wellness resources for students, staff and faculty. Through their Buff Boxes initiative, more than 1,600 resource kits were delivered directly to students, equipping them with tools for managing illness, stress, sexual health and harm reduction. Additionally, the team distributed nearly 5,000 fentanyl test strips and more than 3,400 doses of naloxone, providing life-saving tools to address the opioid crisis on campus through targeted outreach to high-risk populations and reducing stigma related to accessing these resources.Ìý

The team also launched the , an innovative and interactive tool that centralizes information about wellness services and programs from over 50 departments across campus. This resource simplifies navigation of health services for students, staff, and faculty while offering administrators a strategic lens to address gaps and duplication in wellness initiatives.Ìý

Promoting Education and AwarenessÌý

Education is a key tenant of Health Promotion’s mission. Over the past year, the team provided 138 presentations, reaching more than 6,700 participants on topics such as mental health, substance use, and harm reduction. These presentations don’t just provide information—they equip attendees with practical strategies to improve their own well-being and support others.Ìý

Health Promotion is a leader in early intervention among universities, offering an extensive continuum of mandated and voluntary early intervention options, including programs like Buffs Discuss Substance UseÌý and Sidewalk Talks. These programs have a measurable impact. Post-event evaluation indicates that 93% of participants were able to identify useful resources, and 97% planned to follow through on their wellness goals after the conversations. In addition, 99% of participants reported that reflecting on their substance use would influence their future experiences.ÌýÌýÌý

The team’s educational efforts also extend to large-scale trainings, where 96.5% of attendees reported gaining new knowledge and 98.3% found the sessions engaging and relevant. By incorporating participant feedback into future programming, Health Promotion ensures that its educational initiatives remain effective, responsive, and impactful.ÌýÌý

Building Community and CollaborationÌý

Health Promotion’s initiatives demonstrate that well-being is a shared responsibility. Their Late Night Programming collaboration, in partnership with the Center for Student Involvement and Fraternity and Sorority Life, provided fun and educational alternatives to late-night parties. More than 22 events attracted more than 1,200 students, often highlighting information about stress management, alcohol and other drug harm reduction, and self-care. Community-building efforts also included the Take Care Street Fair, a lively event during Parent and Family Weekend that drew more than 1,000 attendees and highlighted departments across Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ. ÌýFeaturing activities like painting Ìýpumpkins for self-care, peer-to-peer brief coaching conversations, and health trivia, the fair underscored the variety of resources available to support Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ’s diverse population.Ìý

Fostering Peer-to-Peer SupportÌý

The office’s peer-led initiatives create a sense of trust and relatability. Sidewalk Talks, which provided more than 360 casual wellness conversations, achieved a remarkable 97% satisfaction rate. Students valued the approachable format, which allowed them to reflect, set goals, and access resources in a low-pressure setting.Ìý

The Health Promotion peer educators have also emerged as a cornerstone of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder’s wellness efforts. These student leaders delivered outreach at events, late-night programs, and trainings, ensuring that thousands of students received critical health and wellness information.ÌýÌý

Additionally, the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) is also part of Health Promotion and offers community and peer connections for those in or seeking recovery. The CRC is ranked as a top 10 Collegiate Recovery Program in the nation. It offers recovery meetings, social events, on-campus sober housing, and the recovery friendly workplace initiative.Ìý

ÌýA Vision for the FutureÌý

Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder’s Health Promotion office is shaping a healthier, more connected future for its community. Through innovation, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to accessibility, the team is ensuring that every student, staff and faculty member has the tools and support they need to thrive.Ìý

Looking ahead, the office plans to expand initiatives like the Campus Well-Being Systems Map, create tools for campus policymakers to consider health impacts, and deepen their collaborations across campus. With their continued dedication, Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder is well on its way to becoming a national leader in campus health and wellness.Ìý