2025 Colorado State of Reform Health Policy Conference

As federal health policy continues to evolve, state and local leaders must adapt quickly and strategically. This dynamic session will begin with insights from federal experts on key policy changes and emerging priorities. State health agency leaders will then discuss how Colorado is responding and adapting to these shifts. The panel will explore both challenges and opportunities for the state’s health systems. The session will conclude with an interactive discussion among attendees.

Kim Bimestefer: Executive Director, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Ned Calonge, MD, MPH: Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Public Health & the Environment

Michael Conway: Commissioner, Colorado Division of Insurance

Dannette Smith: Commissioner, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

Moderator: Gina Lasky, PhD, MAPL: Senior Advisor, Health Management Associates

This panel will explore the evolving partnership and status between Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) and Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASOs), and longer-term vision for how collaborative efforts will reshape service delivery, integration, and accountability. Panelists will examine current reform strategies, emerging models of care coordination, and the critical role of local and regional leadership in sustaining progress without new federal dollars. Attendees will gain insight into policy shifts, funding realignments, and opportunities to strengthen the behavioral health system through state-led innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

Cristen Bates, MPH: Director, Office of Behavioral Health Initiatives & Coverage, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Kelly Causey, PhD: Deputy Commissioner, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

Daniel Darting: Chief Executive Officer, Signal Behavioral Health Network

Kevin Denmark: Regional Director of State Government Relations, Findhelp

Kari Snelson, LCSW, CHC: Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Health Partners

This session will focus on the health crisis facing marginalized populations and will include key issues including emerging trends, innovative programs and strategies, and collaborations.

Maisha Fields, RN, MSN, FNP: Director of Community Partnerships, Salud Family Health Centers

Britta Fisher: President & Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

Jarrod Hindman, MS: Chief Operating Officer, Sources of Strength

Adrienne Mansanares: President & Chief Executive Officer, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

Julissa Soto: Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Latino Health Equity Consulting

Moderator: Elizabeth Freudenthal, PhD: Senior Medicaid Consultant, Medicaid Strategy & Initiatives Children’s Hospital Colorado

This interactive session will dive into the critical challenge of growing and retaining the state’s healthcare workforce, focusing on four key areas: expanding the talent pipeline, diversifying the workforce to better reflect the communities served, preparing for shifts in federal funding, and enhancing employer readiness to support workforce initiatives. Participants will explore strategies for engaging education systems, training programs, and community-based organizations in workforce development; discuss opportunities to align funding with workforce equity goals; and share best practices for supporting employers—especially smaller providers—in training, hiring, and retaining health professionals.

Stephen Holloway, MPH: Branch Director, Health Access, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Aisha Rousseau, PhD, CRC: Chief Strategy Officer, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

Michele Shimomura, MS, MPH: President & Executive Officer, Trailhead Institute

Moderator: Shannon Breitzman: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

This panel will explore how to continue working to make healthcare affordable for Coloradans in the absence of marketplace supplements and potential losses in Medicaid. Panelists will discuss how Colorado’s healthcare sector can navigate changing federal policies and other factors to support patients who are facing barriers to healthcare coverage.

John Bartholomew: Bartholomew & Associates

Steven Federico, MD: Chief Government & External Affairs Officer, Denver Health

Konnie L. Martin: Chief Executive Officer, San Luis Valley Health

Tom Rennell: Senior Vice President, Financial Policy & Data Analytics, Colorado Hospital Association

Bettina Schneider: Chief Financial Officer, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Moderator: Jay Want, MD

This session focuses on rural communities, the backbone of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region—but access to healthcare in these areas remains fragile. With the threat of hospital closures looming, workforce shortages deepening, and the healthcare safety net under strain, the future of rural health depends on bold strategies and sustained support. Presentations will examine how we can protect and strengthen rural healthcare systems to ensure no community is left behind. Presenters will explore the unique challenges facing rural providers, including financial instability, limited resources, and geographic barriers. Innovative programs, partnerships and strategies will be highlighted.

Mark Deutchman, MD: Associate Dean for Rural Health; Director, School of Medicine Rural Track, University of Colorado

Gerard Frunzi: Region Director, Telehealth & Virtual Care, CommonSpirit Health

James McLaughlin: PACT/MH Director, Ute Pass Regional Health Services District

Michelle Mills: Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Rural Health Center

Kari Snelson, LCSW, CHC: Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Health Partners

Moderator: Rebecca Kellenberg: Principal, Health Management Associates

This interactive session will dive into the critical challenge of substance use crisis, especially fentanyl and other emerging drug use trends. Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region struggles with meeting the need for substance use treatment. This interactive session will explore the complex intersection of public health, public safety, and policy in addressing opioids and other substances. Topics will include the criminalization of substance use, the health and equity implications of existing laws, and upcoming ballot measures that could reshape Colorado’s approach to fentanyl possession and treatment.

Moderator: Shannon Breitzman: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Moderator: Berkley Powell: Consultant, Health Management Associates

As federal agencies like the CDC experience political pressure and operational shifts, and as public trust in vaccines and public health guidance becomes increasingly polarized, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region must reckon with how to protect and modernize its own public health infrastructure. This panel will examine the current state of public health in Colorado and explore what’s needed to sustain capacity, restore public trust, and prepare for future health emergencies. Topics will include the implications of federal disinvestment, the rise in vaccine skepticism, the erosion of local public health authority, and strategies to ensure that Colorado’s public health agencies remain robust, science-driven, and community-centered.

Theresa Anselmo: Director, La Plata County Public Health

Ned Calonge, MD, MPH: Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Karin McGowan, MPA: Executive Director, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment

Moderator: Shannon Breitzman: Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

This series of Ted Talk-like presentations will be 7 minutes each presenting important, key issues for consideration. This session will focus on the need to address social drivers of health in the current environment. Presenters will share emerging needs to be prioritized, innovations in strategies and programs, and critical partnerships to consider.

Rayna Hetlage, MPH: Chair, Healthcare Policy Council, Democratic Party of Denver; Consultant, Rayna Hetlage Consulting

Sarah Lampe, MPH: President & Chief Executive Officer, Prime Health

Arlen Zamula, MPH: Director, Office of Health Equity Colorado, Department of Public Health & Environment

Moderator: Robyn Odendahl, MPA: Principal, Health Management Associates

This interactive session will focus on the critical issues facing children’s health in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Our expert panel will present the key issues facing children and then facilitate tabletop discussions on each issue.

Kelly Causey, PhD: Deputy Commissioner, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration

Jennie Munthali, MPH: Title V Children & Youth with Special Needs Director, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Robert Werthwein, PhD: Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health & Access, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Moderator: Caitlin Loyd, MPH: Senior Consultant Health Management Associates

Hear from Rep. Kyle Brown, Chair of the Colorado House Health & Human Services Committee, about his work on healthcare reform in the legislature, takeaways from this year’s session, and his insight about what to expect in next year’s legislature.

Rep. Kyle Brown: Chair, Health & Human Services Committee, Colorado House of Representatives

Moderator: Shannon Breitzman: Office Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Colorado’s healthcare safety net is a critical lifeline for communities facing barriers to care, from rural populations to underserved urban neighborhoods. Yet persistent challenges have underscored the need for bold, systemic solutions. This interactive closing plenary will explore innovative strategies to fortify the state’s safety net infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable funding, policy alignment, and cross-sector collaboration. A key focus will be the role of fiscal policy in enabling reform, including a discussion on the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) and how potential reforms could unlock resources for healthcare investment. 

Shannon Breitzman: Office Managing Principal, Health Management Associates

Gina Lasky, PhD, MAPL: Senior Advisor, Health Management Associates