Most Coloradans Understand the Connection Between Climate and Health
More than 80% of Coloradans believe that not only is the climate changing, but that climate change can affect human health, a statewide survey finds.
The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is releasing the first analysis of climate and health questions from the 2025 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) this week in observation of Earth Day.
The CHAS asks Colorado adults if their health or their family’s health has been affected by the climate. More than a third (37.7%) answered yes, and a further 44.0% said they know the climate can affect health, even though their health wasn’t affected in the past year. Only 12.3% said the climate is not changing or that the climate does not affect human health. The final 6.0% did not question climate change but said they didn’t know it could affect health.
The top health impact, cited by 26.8% of adults, was breathing problems, such as allergies, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nearly one in 10 adults (9.9%) said they had experienced mental health effects because of the climate, including anxiety, depression, or increased substance use.
“There’s ample evidence that the changing climate affects human health, and our survey shows that most Coloradans understand that and believe it. Many of them have felt those impacts firsthand,” said Lindsey Whittington, CHI’s Data and Analysis Manager and author of the climate and health report.
CHI has been studying the impact of climate change on human health since 2017. The CHAS began tracking climate change impacts in 2023. In 2022, CHI launched Acclimate Colorado, which brings together groups around the state working to adapt to the effects of climate change on human health. A CHI blog post released today spotlights two Acclimate members.
About the Colorado Health Access Survey
The CHAS has surveyed Coloradans about health every two years since 2009. In 2025, CHI contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to field the survey from February 11 to July 21. NORC sent letters to a randomly selected list of Colorado addresses to find respondents for the survey. Respondents could take the survey online or call a toll-free number. One adult in each responding household answered the survey, and they could answer on behalf of a child or another adult in the household. NORC recorded 10,922 responses. Statistical significance varies for each question.
About the Colorado Health Institute
The Colorado Health Institute strengthens communities and systems with trusted analysis and collaborative solutions to improve health. We work to improve the systems that influence people’s health and well-being. We work with people seeking to make those systems more effective and equitable. We answer critical questions, make sense of complex issues, and support others to reach actionable solutions. Our services include research, evaluation, facilitation, and communications.
Links
- 2025 CHAS Climate and Health Analysis
- Acclimate Colorado blog post
Contact: Joe Hanel, Communications Director
hanelj@coloradohealthinstitute.org or 720.382.7093