A Community Empowered by Wellness

Wellness is defined on an individual basis. It means different things to different people. Our scientific, evidence-based approach to wellness examines many different dimensions of well-being, including sleep, stress, quality of life, purpose, nutrition, metabolic fitness and physical fitness.

This phrase comes from our belief that, on whatever scale, wellness is at the core of productivity, prosperity and happiness. Achieving a greater state of well-being changes your perspective on life and your ability to achieve the things that you want most.

Our integrated approach offers whole-person support, uniting nutrition, fitness, technology, behavior modification and more—all in one place.

We’re elevated above the single tactic approach, ready to treat the whole person. Our goal is to empower people to become their best selves.

The CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center emerged from more than two decades of research and leadership in the field of obesity and nutrition at the Center for Human Nutrition (CHN) at the University of Colorado, one of only 10 such centers in the United States. The CHN led the charge against obesity by questioning long-held beliefs, for example, that obesity was a personal choice and that fear of disease was a successful motivator.

It was decided that only a new way of thinking could alter long-established patterns in the treatment of obesity; they shifted the focus to lifestyle and used positive personal motivation to drive individuals to achieve wellness.

This new model excited the University of Colorado and the Anschutz Foundation, and they collectively invested $37 million to create a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility that opened in April 2012.

We leverage science-based programs that are effective. Our integrative approach considers the relationships between the many dimensions of well-being and is personalized to fit individual needs, not one size fits all. We use the latest technology and a network of support to help those who work with us to achieve positive transformation.

Improving wellness isn’t an end goal—it’s a means to a better life. For example, though many people may wish to lose weight, each will have a distinct reason why—one that goes beyond pounds and inches.

Some may hope to improve health outcomes, others to keep up with the kids, and still others to have more energy to try new activities or return to old ones.

We invite people to think about what’s important to them (their purpose in life) and tie that to their health and wellness. When people see that improved health and wellness will help them get closer to what they hold most dear, they feel positively motivated, and positive motivation is one of several keys to successful behavioral change.

The unique combination of our team, facility and partners positions us to provide innovative, science-based solutions to the obesity epidemic—a challenge the World Health Organization has called the most critical priority for the 21^st century. Our work aims to achieve nothing less than to improve quality of life for millions of people and fuel the American economy by increasing productivity and, as a result, dramatically reducing skyrocketing health-care costs.