In early 2006, several parallel and related discussions came together, resulting in the creation of the Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission.

Dr. Jim Hill, PhD, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC) and founder of America On the Move, realized that although Colorado was still the skinniest state in the country, with rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes increasing in Colorado adults and children, we were heading in the direction of the least healthy states (e.g. Mississippi or Alabama) if we did not take action.  He also pointed out opportunities to be proactive in order to make a difference for the future.

The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (MDEDC), as part of developing a new economic development strategy for the metropolitan area (and state), evaluated the region’s strengths and weaknesses.  It realized that being the state with the lowest obesity rates, as well as low incidence of diabetes, cancer and associated diseases, led to decreased absenteeism that in turn led to greater productivity. They also knew that a healthy workforce reduced healthcare costs for employers.  This certainly was a competitive advantage with employers looking to expand or move to Colorado.  In addition, they reviewed the work of Paul Zane Pilzer (The Wellness Revolution) and others who estimate that the health and wellness industry in 2006 will contribute between two and three trillion dollars annually to our national economy (20 to 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product).  It led the MDEDC to consider adding this as an industry cluster for the metropolitan area.

Members of the Metro Denver Sports Commission, in particular Jeff Olson, member of its International Bid  Committee, wanted to tie a potential Denver bid to host the Olympics to a broader metro-wide healthy living imperative.  Jeff believed that an Olympics focused on healthy living could be a great mechanism to reverse the unhealthy lifestyles, obesity and degenerative diseases in the United States.  It would also help position metro Denver as one of the healthiest communities in the United States.  Civic leaders, including Rob Cohen and Steve Sander, Chair and Member, respectively, of the Sports Commission and Richard Scharf, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, helped the founders strategize regarding the benefits of having a health and wellness organization at the center of the many related initiatives underway in the metro area.  Jeff and Jim Hill then joined together to meet with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to discuss the concept of having the City and County of Denver focus on promoting health and wellness.  Mayor Hickenlooper was extremely supportive and thought the idea might generate even broader support within metropolitan Denver. He suggested that the idea be brought to the Metro Mayors Caucus.

At the Metro Mayors Caucus annual retreat in January 2006 the concept of creating a Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission was presented and unanimously endorsed by the mayors. The mayors believed this was an important initiative for several reasons:

• The concept of “great cities/communities” must include health and wellness.
• Health and wellness issues have no unifying voice in the community and the commission could serve this role.
• Having metro Denver become the healthiest region/community in the country would economically benefit each of their municipalities.
• The Metro Mayors Caucus has the capacity to increase the visibility and effectiveness of the program.
• Dr. Hill and America on the Move provided a proven model for an initial focus for activities.
  

The members of the Metro Mayors Caucus asked Civic Results, who staffs the Caucus, to help launch the commission.  Civic Results convened a planning committee that was comprised of key representatives of the Metro Mayors Caucus, Center for Human Nutrition at UCDHSC, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Metro Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau, Colorado Department of Health and Environment’s Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition program, and other interested stakeholders. This planning committee was charged with developing a work program and potential outcomes of a MDHWC, and other key planning activities.

In June 2006, the Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission was launched with over 60 community leaders.