Kristi Arellano Joins the Colorado Health Institute as Managing Director of Marketing and Communications

DENVER — Kristi Arellano, formerly the communications director of the Boettcher Foundation and business editor at The Denver Post, has joined the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) as managing director of marketing and communications. In her new role, she will help CHI advance its mission of improving health for all Coloradans by providing evidence-based analysis about health and health policy. 

Before joining CHI, Arellano served as Director of Communications at the Boettcher Foundation, a $300-million philanthropic foundation whose funding priorities include college scholarships and biomedical research. As the foundation’s first communications director, Arellano led a rebranding effort to reposition the foundation for increased impact and launched several new communications channels, including an alumni engagement effort. 

Prior to that, Arellano spent 13 years as a reporter and editor for The Denver Post. As business editor, Arellano worked with reporters to produce stories that earned honors from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers and the National Association of Real Estate Editors. 

“Kristi brings deep knowledge of Colorado and of strategic communications to CHI at a time of significant change and opportunity for health policy,” said Michele Lueck, President and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute. “We are excited to have her join our growing team as we work with partners across the state to address the factors that influence health, from access and affordability to food and housing security.” 

“I have been impressed by CHI’s work to ensure that Colorado’s health policy discussions are supported with evidence-based analysis and informed insight,” Arellano said. “I am excited to join this dynamic team and help support the important work that they do to advance health policy.”

Arellano grew up in Pueblo and attended the University of Denver as a Boettcher Scholar. An active community volunteer, Arellano chairs the board of the Community College of Denver Foundation and serves on the board of the Denver Dumb Friends League.

Contact:

Joe Hanel, Colorado Health Institute

720.382.7093, hanelj@coloradohealthinstitute.org

Kristi Arellano, Colorado Health Institute

720.382.7080, arellanok@coloradohealthinstitute.org