Colorado Cancer Coalition · Connect. Collaborate. Make a difference.
Task Forces
Find your place in the work. Explore the people and priorities moving Colorado’s Cancer Plan forward.
Different perspectives. Shared purpose.
CCC’s volunteer-led task forces bring lived experience, community knowledge, and professional expertise together. Find a group that connects with your interests and explore its work.
Breast Cancer Task Force
Connect with partners working to reduce breast cancer risk, improve early detection, expand access to personalized care, and strengthen survivorship support across Colorado.
Cancer Health Equity Task Force
Connect with partners addressing systemic barriers to cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and support for historically underserved communities across Colorado.
Colorectal Cancer Task Force
Connect with partners advancing colorectal cancer screening through peer learning, community partnerships, and practical education for Colorado health systems and communities.
HPV Vaccination Task Force
Connect with public health, clinical, academic, and community partners improving HPV vaccination through shared best practices, professional education, and statewide collaboration.
Lung Cancer Task Force
Connect with clinicians, community partners, and patient advocates expanding lung cancer screening through education, stronger referral networks, and improved access across Colorado.
Patient Navigation Task Force
Connect with oncology navigators and partners reducing barriers to cancer care through professional education, resource sharing, and support for patients, families, and survivors.
Pediatric / AYA Task Force
Connect with partners improving age-appropriate care, psychosocial support, and resource access for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families across Colorado.
Skin Cancer Task Force
Connect with clinicians, students, survivors, and community partners advancing sun safety, skin cancer prevention, community education, and outreach across Colorado.
Survivorship & Palliative Care Task Force
Connect with people affected by cancer, advocates, and professionals sharing survivorship and palliative care resources, building partnerships, and improving quality of life across Colorado.
Breast Cancer Task Force
Focus
The Breast Cancer Task Force works to reduce the impact of breast cancer for Coloradans through risk reduction, early detection, access to personalized cancer care, and comprehensive survivorship support, regardless of social determinants of health, geography, or personal and community identity.
Priorities & Action
Breast Cancer Task ForceHost two webinars for Colorado cancer professionals providing practical, up-to-date insights about breast cancer care, resources, and services
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goals 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Breast Cancer Task ForceCurate a Colorado-focused breast cancer resource list for providers and patients across the continuum of care
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goals 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Chairs
Tiffany Nam, PharmD
Sheryl Verbitski, PhD
Emily Kinsella, MSPH
Partners
- Advent Health - Parker
- American Cancer Society
- Cancer Action Network
- Bosom Buddies of Southwestern Colorado
- Cancer Wellness for Life
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - Women's Wellness Connection (WWC)
- CommonSpirit - Penrose and St. Francis Hospital
- Colorado School of Public Health
- Hope Held By a Horse
- Montrose Regional Health
- Physical Activity for Treatment and Prevention Lab at Colorado State University
- Sense of Security
- Susan G. Komen Colorado
- Uncompahgre Medical Center
- University of Colorado - Anschutz
- Women's Mental Health Associates
- Wellness for Cancer
Meeting Cadence
Every two months on the first Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Task Force Meeting Minutes
Learning & Resources
BCTF Educational Series
Cancer Health Equity Task Force
Focus
The Cancer Health Equity Task Force advances equitable access to cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and support across Colorado. Established following the 2026–2030 Colorado Cancer Plan, the task force addresses systemic barriers affecting historically underserved communities, including Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, LGBTQIA+, rural and frontier populations, and individuals with disabilities.
Priorities & Action
Illustrative Action Plan
By December 2026, expand access to nutritious, culturally relevant food options in historically underserved communities by:
- Partnering with local culturally responsive community-based organizations working to address food insecurity and chronic disease prevention
- Disseminating accessible, evidence-based resources on affordable, health-promoting food options
- Promoting enrollment in federal and state nutrition assistance programs (e.g. SNAP, WIC) through outreach and resource sharing
- Identifying and amplifying local food access initiatives that support cancer prevention (mobile markets, produce prescription programs, community gardens)
By December 2026, strengthen language access and interpretation services to reduce barriers to cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship by:
- Promoting the development and dissemination of culturally and linguistically appropriate cancer education materials, including print and digital resources.
- Supporting training for providers and staff on culturally response communication and language access best practices
- Advocating for the routine use of qualified medical interpreters in clinical encounters rather than reliance on family members or ad hoc interpretation
Chairs
Are you passionate about advancing equitable cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship outcomes? Are you interested in helping shape the direction and priorities of this work statewide? Help lead the Cancer Health Equity Task Force as a chair.
Interested? Email [email protected] to learn more about this volunteer role.
Meeting Cadence
First Wednesday of every month, noon–1:00 p.m.
Colorectal Cancer Task Force
Focus
The Colorectal Cancer Task Force brings Colorado partners together for peer learning, engagement, and collective action on colorectal cancer. Its work supports screening and other colorectal cancer initiatives throughout the continuum of care.
Priorities & Action
Colorectal Cancer Task ForceIncrease use of CRC 101 videos by partnering with at least one professional organization to improve understanding of colorectal cancer screening practices and guidelines
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 6 · Objective 6.1, Strategies 1, 3 and 4
Colorectal Cancer Task ForcePartner with the Center for African American Health to raise awareness and support screening efforts among the CAA Health community
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 6 · Objective 6.2, Strategy 2
Colorectal Cancer Task ForceDeliver a colorectal cancer screening education event for health systems and community partners
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 6 · Objective 6.1, Strategy 1
Chairs
Ian Kahn, MPH
Peggy Thomas, RN, MN, AOCN
Partners
- 365Health
- ACS CAN
- American Cancer Society
- Anthem
- Colon Cancer Alliance
- Colon Cancer Coalition
- Colorado Colorectal Screening Program
- Colorado Community Health Network
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- CommonSpirit Hospitals
- Exact Sciences
- Fight CRC
- Parker Adventist
- Penrose St. Francis
- Pfizer
- UCHealth Family Medicine
- University of Colorado Cancer Center
- University of Colorado Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement
- Xellia
Meeting Cadence
Second Thursday of every month at 8:00 a.m.
Task Force Meeting Minutes
Photos
ACSCAN Advocacy Day · Day at the Capitol
Learning & Resources
Colorectal Cancer Task Force Educational Videos
Colorectal Cancer Educational Modules
Join the CCC, CDPHE, Hans Elzinga, MD and H. Davis Blanton, MD to learn more about colorectal cancer!
This short video series gives a basic overview of CRC screening. There are seven videos in total, each about 2 minutes. Visit the and subscribe the CCC YouTube page to view all of the videos
Increasing CRC Screening in Rural & Latino Communities in CO - Webinar
There are an estimated 2,130 new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) each year in Colorado, but CRC is preventable and highly curable when it is diagnosed and treated at early stages - there is a 90% 5-year survival rate when caught early. The Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCCP) and the CRC Task Force partnered with Catch It In Time to produce CRC Screening 101, a series of educational videos on CRC screening guidelines and considerations, with the goal of improving knowledge of CRC screening amongst providers. These videos help health care professionals and community partners share information about appropriate colorectal cancer screening.
HPV Vaccination Task Force
Focus
The HPV Vaccination Task Force works to improve HPV vaccination rates and reduce HPV-associated disease and cancer in Colorado. Public health professionals, clinicians, academic partners, and community members collaborate to identify gaps, strengthen systems, and share best practices for HPV prevention.
Priorities & Action
HPV Vaccination Task ForceCall to Action Letter: Advocate for HPV Vaccination Starting at Age 9
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 4 · Objective 4.2, Strategy 1
Increase HPV vaccine attainment by encouraging health care professionals to advocate for vaccination starting at age 9.
HPV Vaccination Task ForceHost a combined HPV and hepatitis B webinar to build awareness of vaccination as cancer prevention
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 4 · Objectives 4.2 and 4.3
Bring partners together to increase awareness of HPV and hepatitis B vaccination and share opportunities to improve uptake across Colorado.
Chairs
Elisha Lerhoff, MS, MPH
Halley Pucker, MPH
Partners
- American Cancer Society
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Denver Health
- Metro Community Provider Network
- St. Mary’s Cancer Center
- US Department of Health and Human Service
Meeting Cadence
First Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m.
Lung Cancer Task Force
Focus
The Lung Cancer Task Force brings clinicians, community partners, and patient advocates together to strengthen lung cancer screening across Colorado. The task force supports data-informed screening strategies, collaborative relationships, resource sharing, and community awareness, with patient perspectives helping guide the work.
Priorities & Action
Lung Cancer Task ForceStrengthen lung cancer screening education, navigation, and access across Colorado
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 6 · Objectives 6.1 and 6.2
- Incorporate the listed strategies into the Colorado NCCCP Year 5 Work Plan. Explore the Chicago Lung Navigator Community of Practice model, collate resources, facilitate discussions, update CT location information, explore a hub-and-spoke model, and support patient connections to screening programs.
- Collect provider- and patient-facing lung cancer screening resources and explore adapting the Chicago Lung Navigator Community of Practice model for Colorado.
- Update the database of CT locations and where low-dose CT can be performed.
- Partner with a health system to explore a hub-and-spoke screening model connecting stand-alone low-dose CT facilities with a centralized lung cancer screening program.
Chairs
Debby Dyer, MD, FACR
Jamie Studts, PhD
Partners
- American Cancer Society
- American Heart Association
- American Lung Association
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Astra Zeneca
- Boulder County
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- CommonSpirit Hospitals
- Denver Health
- Diversified Radiology
- GASP
- emPOWERED Decisions
- Hospital Corporation of America
- Healthier Colorado International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
- Exempla Lutheran Medical Center
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado
- Logos Imaging
- National Jewish Health
- Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center
- Rose Medical Center
- SCL Health
- Swedish Medical Center
- Tobacco Free Kids
- University of Colorado Denver Anschutz
- VA of Denver
- Wheeler Advisory Group
Meeting Cadence
Second Wednesday of every month, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Task Force Meeting Minutes
Pediatric / AYA Task Force
Focus
The Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult (AYA) Task Force is dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer in Colorado. The task force brings partners together to advocate for patient-centered policies and equitable access to comprehensive, age-appropriate care and support for young people and their families.
Priorities & Action
Pediatric / AYA Task ForceCreate and maintain centralized resources to help families navigate comprehensive treatment support programs
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 7 · Objective 7.5, Strategies 2 and 3
Pediatric / AYA Task ForceFoster statewide collaboration to support and enhance communication among all pediatric and AYA cancer stakeholders
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goals 7 and 8 · Objectives 7.5 and 8.4
Chairs
Joan Slaughter
Erica Berge, LCSW
Meeting Cadence
Quarterly.
Learning & Resources
Helpful Resources
Skin Cancer Task Force
Focus
The Skin Cancer Task Force works to reduce melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas across Colorado by making sun safety and skin cancer prevention part of everyday life. Through community outreach, education, and partnerships, the task force builds awareness and connects Coloradans with practical ways to protect their skin.
Priorities & Action
- Increase member engagement by recruiting and retaining 3-5 new physician champion members and 5-10 new medical student members, 5-10 community members (nonprofit, survivor,caregiver)
- Continue work with legislature to increase restrictions on tanning laws
- Sun Bus operations and sun damage screenings with the UV camera
- Sun education programs in schools
- Adapting remote learning initiatives
Chairs
Andrew Nguyen
Michael Chen
Past Task Force Chairs: Kenzie Hanigan & Ferdos Abdulkader, 2023 — 2026
Partners
- Behavioral Healthcare Inc
- Clear Creek County Schools
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Colorado Dermatology Society
- Colorado Melanoma Foundation
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Frank Shorter Race4Kids
- Kids Running America Organization
- Klein Buendel
- Melanoma Research Foundation
- National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention
- Rocky Mountain Sunscreen
- St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction
- Town of Silverthorne, Finance and Administrative Services Department
- University of Colorado School of Medicine
- University of Colorado School of Public Health
- Veterans Affairs Hospital, Denver
Meeting Cadence
Every two months on the first Monday at 12:15 p.m. Mountain Time.
Task Force Meeting Minutes
Learning & Resources
How to Select a Sunscreen
Recommended Sunscreen Brands
In the Media
Survivorship & Palliative Care Task Force
Focus
The Survivorship & Palliative Care Task Force brings people affected by cancer together with advocates and professionals who provide cancer care across Colorado. Its interdisciplinary network shares patient and caregiver resources, supports professional learning, and builds partnerships across rural and urban communities to improve quality of life throughout survivorship and palliative care.
Priorities & Action
Survivorship & Palliative Care Task ForcePromote and implement evidence-based complementary and alternative therapies as non-clinical approaches to improve quality of life for people affected by cancer
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 8 · Objective 8.1, Strategy 3
Survivorship & Palliative Care Task ForceConnect Community Partners and Expand Access to Survivorship & Palliative Care Resources
Cancer Plan Alignment
Goal 8 · Objectives 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3
Strengthen connections among community-based organizations, care teams, and people affected by cancer to coordinate existing services, identify unmet needs, and connect patients, survivors, and caregivers with comprehensive, accessible resources throughout survivorship and palliative care.
- Bring community partners together to share services, reduce duplication, and strengthen referral connections.
- Improve access to resources that support physical well-being (Objective 8.1) and mental, emotional, and behavioral health (Objective 8.2).
- Share trusted information and strengthen connections across transitions in care, including palliative and end-of-life care (Objective 8.3).
Chairs
Christa Burke, LCSW
Carlin Callaway, DNP, RN
Erin Henry, MSW
Meeting Cadence
Every two months on the second Thursday at noon Mountain Time.
Bring your perspective
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