C.R.S. § 25-1-501: Legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The public health system reduces health-care costs by preventing disease and injury, promoting healthy behavior, and reducing the incidents of chronic diseases and conditions. Thus, the public health system is a critical part of any health-care reform.

(b) Each community in Colorado should provide high-quality public health services regardless of its location. Thus, the state of Colorado and each local public health agency should have a comprehensive public health plan outlining how quality public health services will be provided.

(c) Each county should establish or be part of a local public health agency organized under a local board of health with a public health director and other staff necessary to provide public health services;

(d) A strong public health infrastructure is needed to provide essential public health services and is a shared responsibility among state and local public health agencies and their partners within the public health system; and

(e) Developing a strong public health infrastructure requires the coordinated efforts of state and local public health agencies and their public and private sector partners within the public health system to:

(I) Identify and provide leadership for the provision of essential public health services;

(II) Develop and support an information infrastructure that supports essential public health services and functions;

(III) Develop and provide effective education and training for members of the public health workforce;

(IV) Develop performance-management standards for the public health system that are tied to improvements in public health outcomes or other measures; and

(V) Develop a comprehensive plan and set priorities for providing essential public health services.