Gov. Hickenlooper announces Imagine Colorado winners
Seven teams win a total of $25,000 for their innovative ideas to make our kids healthier
Denver, CO (MAY 18, 2016) – Smart Fit Girls, Pocket Playgrounds, Social Media Outdoor Youth App, Running Minds could be the big ideas to make Colorado’s kids the healthiest in the nation. These are just some of the winning ideas of the Imagine Colorado Innovation Challenge, the first-ever statewide innovation challenge that asked all Coloradan’s for their ideas on how to connect Colorado’s kids to a healthier lifestyle.
“The finalists who presented their ideas are exceptional examples of the creativity and advanced thinking taking place in our state, and we want to congratulate everyone who submitted ideas,” said Governor John Hickenlooper, who handed out the awards. “Coloradans came out in droves to help tackle one of our toughest issues, and we look forward to seeing just how these incredible ideas to make our kids healthier will become reality.”
Over 75 teams from 19 counties submitted their ideas online, and the top 10 finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of celebrity judges on May 17 while a live audience chose the winners. The ideas addressed issues such as Colorado’s growing childhood obesity rate and food desert challenges, and included unique ways to encourage physical activity and provide all Coloradans access to our Rocky Mountains.
Imagine Colorado Winners:
- Adult Grand Prize ($5,000): Smart Fit Girls (Larimer County)
- Adult First Runner-Up ($3,000): LEAP Adventurers (El Paso County)
- Adult Second Runner-Up ($2,000): Pocket Playgrounds (Arapahoe County)
- Youth Grand Prize ($5,000): Social Media Outdoor Youth App (Denver County)
- Youth First Runner-Up ($3,000): Running Minds (Denver County)
- Youth Second Runner-Up ($2,000): ShFat That (Arapahoe County)
- Best Collaboration ($5,000): Discover Nature’s Table (Conejos County)
“Exploring ideas around youth and health is particularly important because not all Coloradans have access to healthy, affordable foods or the ability to walk safely to their neighborhood parks, playgrounds or schools,” said Shepard Nevel, President and CEO of LiveWell Colorado. “We have been impressed with the innovation and creativity of the ideas submitted to Imagine Colorado. The finalists are setting the stage for achieving healthier outcomes for all Coloradans.”
Along with the cash prize, Imagine Colorado partner The Unreasonable Institute will provide each of the five adult finalists the opportunity to interview for the 2016 Unreasonable Institute accelerator program focused on early childhood. If accepted into the program, the participants will be provided world-class mentoring and given access to financing opportunities and a global network of support to help scale their ventures to the next level.
Imagine Colorado is presented by the COIN and LiveWell Colorado and is produced in partnership with The Colorado Health Foundation, Gary Community Investments, Unreasonable Institute, SkipsoLabs, Entravision and Comcast. It is also supported by more than 75 engagement partners from throughout the state. Used throughout the world by business, government and higher education institutions, innovation challenges shine a spotlight on a problem or opportunity and ask communities to provide ideas that can help build a better tomorrow.
For more information, please visit www.imagineco.us.
