How Jefferson County Brings Well-Being to Life With Wellness Challenges
“I’m thankful for this opportunity to be more intentional in noticing the kindness I give to others and receive myself.”
“I’m looking forward to focusing on the positive and seeing that there is already so much kindness all around me.”
“I am looking forward to spreading kindness and positivity. And by doing that, hopefully others will do the same.”
These examples highlight how Jefferson County employees, in their own words, embrace whole-person well-being as part of everyday work life. For years, wellness challenges have helped the county’s teams stay connected, motivated, and healthier — because wellness challenges aren’t just seasonal events; they’re a consistent, evolving part of the employee experience.
Jefferson County’s partnership with HES stretches back more than a decade, becoming a core component of their well-being strategy. “What we do know is that our county has always aimed to elevate its wellness programming — and HES filled a gap that existed in our holistic well-being efforts,” confirms Jill Asrael, Sr. Workforce Health Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, which supports Jefferson County’s benefits strategy.
Wellness Challenges That Meet Employees Where They Are
Jefferson County, Colorado — often called Jeffco — is just west of Denver… a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. With a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, the county includes Lakewood, Arvada, Golden (the county seat), as well as parts of Littleton and Westminster. It’s known for scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and historic sites like Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre and Coors Brewery. Jeffco is also home to a strong public school system, multiple higher education institutions, and thriving technology plus aerospace industries.
With a workforce as diverse as its community, Jefferson County knows a one-size-fits-all approach to wellness won’t work. Each division — from the Sheriff’s Office to Human Services and beyond — often feels like its own mini-business. That’s why Jeffco leans on an incredible team of wellness champions to keep things personal and relevant.
“They’re the heart of our success,” explains Wellness Program Coordinator Erika Mathews. “They know their people, spread the word, and invite coworkers to join in. When someone you trust says, ‘Do this with me,’ people want to sign up.”
Creating a Year-Round Calendar of Connection
Jefferson County keeps things fresh through a variety of week-long and month-long wellness challenge options. Employees can mix up physical activity challenges, nutrition tips, and emotional well-being topics so everyone finds something that fits their needs, priorities, and lifestyles.
Wellness Specialist Bridget Robinson, who creates many of Jeffco’s in-house challenges, underscores success factors: “Our goal is to offer something for everyone. We also listen to feedback. When people tell us what they want next, we make it happen.”
This thoughtful approach keeps employees coming back. From logging steps during a Walktober challenge to swapping stories of workplace kindness to staying hydrated with Wake Up With Water, there’s always something new to anticipate on the horizon.
How Wellness Challenges Keep People Engaged
Consistency and creativity drive much of Jefferson County’s success. The teams send out clear, focused emails for each wellness challenge instead of cramming everything into a long newsletter. They also share regular employee network updates and hold monthly meetings with wellness champions to keep everyone in the loop.
Leadership buy-in adds an extra boost. When a director signs up for a challenge — and rallies their team to join too — employees see it as part of the organization’s culture, not just an extra task to complete.
Here are more examples of how wellness initiatives benefit Jeffco employees and communities:
“While taking a walk yesterday on our local trail, I stopped to pick up a few pieces of trash along the way. It made me feel good to keep a beautiful area clean.”
“Today I saw a neighbor struggling to get a package into their door and I decided to help them even though I was headed to an important appointment. It felt good to connect with someone I’ve never met before. I am looking forward to learning more mindful ways to find a balance in today’s climate.”
“I lent an ear to a friend who is struggling with something. I listened to how she felt, allowed her to feel heard, and gave her some perspective that she found comforting and helpful. It felt good to know I could be there for a friend when she needed support.”
More Than Just a Feel-Good Initiative
The county took advantage of everything offered by Good Nurtured, the HES workplace wellness program that promotes mental, emotional, and physical well-being through everyday acts of kindness, civility, and graciousness. By encouraging participants to build these positive behaviors into their routines, the challenge strengthens interpersonal connections to create a more mindful, resilient workforce. Kindness — whether given, received, or witnessed — is shown to increase happiness, reduce stress, and inspire others.
But this isn’t just a feel-good initiative — it’s a culture shift. The program embeds shared values of respect and compassion into daily interactions, creating cohesive and considerate workplace environments. As a result, Jeffco invites employees to take meaningful actions that build trust, improve morale, and reinforce a sense of community.
Additional benefits for the county include:
- Improved communication and collaboration
- Higher employee engagement and job satisfaction
- Better work quality and overall performance
- Increased resilience and reduced burnout
- Stronger team bonds and workplace culture
- Enhanced reputation and employee retention.
By supporting kindness as a daily habit, the county creates a thriving, people-centered workplace where well-being and productivity go hand in hand.
Lessons Learned: Make Wellness Challenges Fresh, Social, and Fun
Jefferson County priorities include offering an interactive platform where people can easily connect. Employees enjoy logging progress, chatting with teammates, and exchanging photos — whether it’s a scenic hike or a healthy new recipe.
“We love seeing people share and cheer each other on,” Bridget adds. “The platform makes that connection so simple — and fun.”
Jefferson County also knows that a great wellness program doesn’t run on autopilot. It takes clear communication, creative ideas, and teams that care.
“Consistency really is key,” Bridget said. “Keep your messages clear, send regular updates, and use tools like Canva or Piktochart to make your marketing stand out.”
And don’t underestimate the power of strong advocates: “Our wellness champions are our secret sauce,” Erika notes. “Their energy and personal connections bring our programs to life.”
Good Nurtured: A Wellness Challenge With Positive Results
In the end, Jefferson County continues to prove that people will show up if you make wellness challenges social, personal, and fun. Just take it from the participants themselves:
“This challenge could not have come at a more perfect time. I am looking forward to reading, thinking, and acting in kind ways to myself and others.”
“I’m loving this challenge. What a great way to slow down for a bit to show kindness in this busy world.”
“I really do believe this challenge is one of my favs, and pretty much everyone could use it!”
Want to learn how HES can help?
For more than 30 years, we’ve helped organizations of all sizes create healthier workplaces. Contact us or call 800.326.2317 to discuss your wellness objectives.