Commissioner application and process
Apply to join the Health Equity Commission and Data Advisory Work Group!
The Office of Health Equity is seeking applicants to play an integral role in helping Colorado address health disparities and improve health outcomes across the state.
Please complete the online application for the Health Equity Commission and/or the Data Advisory Work Group. Applicants may also access a downloadable PDF. Applications will be available all year, and the recruitment subcommittee will review applicants on a quarterly basis. The subcommittee will interview approved candidates and present summaries to the CDPHE Executive Director, who will make the final appointment.
The Health Equity Commission does not currently have any vacancies. Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Upcoming review cycles: April 2026, August 2026, and December 2026.
Overview of the commissioner role
The Health Equity Commission (HEC) is a type 2 board that advises the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through the Office of Health Equity. The mission is to advance health equity, address health disparities, focusing on alignment, education, and capacity-building across state and local programs and community-based organizations.
The Data Advisory Work Group (DAWG) is a subcommittee that was created in HB 22-1157 to recommend processes for collecting and aggregating non-identifiable demographic data on race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity in Colorado. Three of the seats on the DAWG are held by HEC commissioners, preferably those with "experience in data and reporting, working with county or district public health agencies in data collection, or working with or on behalf of department data collectors or vendors" as described in section 25-4-2205(2.5)(a.5)(III)(B), C.R.S.
- Advise CDPHE and its Office of Health Equity on the development, implementation, and evaluation of equity-focused work, including the Health Disparities and Community Grant Program.
- Collaborate with fellow commissioners to provide strategic guidance and recommendations on statewide public health equity issues and initiatives.
- Attend and engage in monthly public commission meetings and subcommittee meetings, sharing expertise and meaningful dialogue on health equity topics.
- Actively participate in one of the commission subcommittees.
- Upon full commission approval, it may be expected to speak on behalf of the HEC to community partners and members.
- Review grant applications and make budget recommendations for the Health Disparities and Community Grant Program to the Board of Health.
- Recommend best practices for collecting and aggregating non-identifying demographic data for Colorado residents relating to race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other demographic variables.
- Foster relationships to support alignment and capacity-building efforts around public health.
- Promote education, collaboration, and the dissemination of best practices that address social determinants of health and advance equity to the commission.
- Participate actively in commission initiatives that ensure access, equity, and inclusiveness for all Coloradans.
Data Advisory Work Group responsibilities
- Develop and review demographic data questions related to race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and determine which datasets and systems should be prioritized for updates.
- Advise on best methods for collecting and organizing non-identifying demographic and health data.
- Ensure data-collection practices follow privacy rules and regulations.
- Support the integration of updated demographic standards across CDPHE programs and surveys.
Additional requirements per statute are found here.
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing public health, health equity, reducing health disparities, and promoting inclusion.
- Experience working with state/local health departments, community-based organizations, and/or advocacy initiatives preferred.
- Ability to collaborate, exercise sound judgment, and communicate effectively across diverse audiences.
- Willingness to actively attend and participate in meetings, events, and to serve as a representative of community needs and perspectives.
- Understanding of Colorado’s public health landscape or willingness to learn.
- Multilingual, multicultural, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability and accessibility, experience is valued.
Approximately 2-4 hours per month.
- Attend regularly scheduled public meetings and events (monthly general meeting, 1 hour).
- Including reviewing materials and information beforehand and other preparation as required/needed.
- Participate in related subcommittee work (at least quarterly, 1 hour).
- Participate and/or present information at extra meetings or events as needed.
Commissioner roles are volunteer positions.
The Office of Health Equity will provide applications in the top 3 languages that the office’s Language Justice and Access unit identifies. These languages include Spanish, Arabic, and Somali. All survey demographic questions come directly from the Data Advisory Work Group.
The office can provide auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities as well as language services for those in need upon request. Please notify CDPHE's Nondiscrimination Coordinator at cdphe_nondiscrimination@state.co.us or 303-692-2102 to submit a request for these services.
Candidates who the subcommittee selects for interviews should expect to respond to any of the following questions during the interview:
- What are the top two inequities impacting your community and what would you do to help resolve those inequities?
- Please describe a time that you had a bold conversation to challenge a policy or process. What did you learn?
- Please describe what the terms health equity and environmental justice mean to you.
- To what extent has your previous and current experience prioritized justice, equity, and inclusion? How will you bring those lessons here?
- How will you leverage your position as Health Equity Commission and/or Data Advisory Work Group member to reduce inequities for all Coloradans?
- What does language Justice mean to you?
- Why is data important to the community, public health, and equity?
Mail to:
Attention: OHE Office Administrator
CDPHE/Office of Health Equity
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80246-153