“The ANA believes advocacy is a pillar of nursing.” PHNs joined nurses across Colorado and the nation in advocating for state health policy, health equity, and the protection of nursing practice and professional identity. They also stood with the CNA and ANA in calling for accountability and justice after the violence in Minnesota that resulted in a nurse’s death. PHNs also support legal action challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s exclusion of nursing from the definition of “professional degree” programs. To build advocacy skills, the section hosted a presentation from the CPHA Policy Committee on policy and advocacy. PHNs served on the committee and participated in Public Health Day at the Capitol.

Currently, PHNs will submit abstracts and are planning a Skills Workshop for Public Health in the Rockies, being held September 22nd – 24th, in Keystone, CO. In addition, they are preparing and planning for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year nationwide initiative administered by CMS to strengthen access, improve outcomes, expand the workforce, accelerate innovative care models, and modernize technology-enabled services for rural and frontier residents. Colorado received $200,105,604.17 in the first budget year. Colorado will release a $160 million RHTP, Request for Applications in June 2026. For more information, visit hcpf.colorado.gov.