“Old-School” Approach Succeeds in Remote Colorado Community

In the rural community of Nederland, Colorado, many residents lack phone and internet access, and their transportation options are limited. These barriers make it challenging for people to get to a clinic to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance collaborated with The Metro Denver Partnership for Health to implement innovative approaches in this hard-to-reach population. That meant “going old school,” in the words of Katrina Harms, Peak to Peak Alliance Coordinator. The Alliance went beyond social media, running newspaper ads and mailing postcards. They also relied on word-of-mouth information sharing among friends and trusted neighbors, who spread the word about weekly vaccine clinics. Their “All of the Above” campaign was tailored to the mountain community’s values, focusing on health, facts, and connectedness. Imagery was chosen so the community saw themselves in the campaign, enhancing its success.