Colorado healthcare professionals have access to a variety of freebies, discounts, and wellness benefits designed to support their physical and mental health, reduce daily expenses, and acknowledge their service. These offerings range from state-sponsored wellness programs and mental health care resources to retail discounts, free services, and community support initiatives. The following guide outlines verified opportunities available to healthcare workers in Colorado, based on official state resources and trusted industry publications.
State-Sponsored Wellness and Mental Health Resources
The State of Colorado offers a robust wellness program called STATE OF HEALTH, a no-cost, year-long initiative designed to support health and wellness goals. Participants in this virtual program receive personalized health coaching, collaborative health plan development, and access to skill groups covering nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep improvement, and goal setting. Additionally, the program provides a fitness portal with on-demand and live fitness classes. Participants who complete the first year may reenroll or choose a different pathway. Notably, participants receive a $20 per month wellness credit for joining and completing the program, resulting in $480 in medical premium savings over two years, which appears as a discount on pay stubs.
For mental health support, Cigna members in Colorado have access to specific resources depending on their plan. High Deductible Plan members can access three mental health sessions per issue or concern, along with wellbeing tools like iPrevail and Happify. Copay Plan members have unlimited access to in-person or telehealth mental health appointments and additional tools such as Ginger, LiveMD, MeruHealth, and TalkSpace. Instructions for accessing these benefits are available through myCigna.com. Furthermore, Everside Health (formerly Paladina Health) provides primary care with a focus on mental health for Cigna members across Colorado, including in rural areas.
State fire professionals and certain university employees also qualify for mental health support. Colorado fire professionals may receive assistance with out-of-pocket behavioral health expenses through the Colorado Firefighter Trust. Faculty and staff at CU Anschutz have access to the CU Anschutz Faculty and Staff Mental Health Clinic, which serves as a convenient entry point for care. CU Boulder employees can use the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) for free counseling services. Similarly, CSU employees have access to free counseling through the CSU Employee Assistance Program, and Fort Lewis College employees can utilize Profile EAP for free counseling and wellbeing benefits.
Retail Discounts for Healthcare Professionals
Several national retailers offer discounts to healthcare workers in Colorado, typically requiring verification of professional status. Adidas provides a 40% discount to healthcare professionals, first responders, and military members via ID.me verification. Asics offers 60% off full-priced products to medical professionals and first responders who create an Asics account using a professional email. AT&T has offered three free months of phone service to healthcare workers. Crocs has distributed free shoes to healthcare workers, though daily limits apply. Dollar General provides a 10% discount to healthcare workers, first responders, and activated Guardsmen.
Additional retail discounts include: - Owala: 50% discount for healthcare workers and retirees. - P.volve: Monthly streaming for $4.99 and 30% off equipment. - Pro Teeth Guard: $100 off custom dental guards for frontline workers. - Simple Habit: Free access to premium membership by emailing [email protected]. - Speeko: Free Speeko Plus subscription for healthcare and public health professionals. - Talkspace: Free resources and 1,000 free months of therapy for healthcare workers. - Theragun: 20% off regularly priced devices or TheraOne CBD products. - Thrivetalk: Free telehealth services for essential healthcare workers and first responders. - Vitamix: 20% discount for medical personnel including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and EMTs; email a photo of medical badge to [email protected]. - Yeti: 30% off water bottles or insulated coolers.
Food and Beverage Offers
Healthcare workers can access free or discounted food and beverages. Cumberland Farms offers a free cup of coffee to healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel, including police officers, firefighters, active military, paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital and medical staff, and medical researchers. Dave & Busters provides 10 free game cards to first responders and healthcare professionals. Fazolis offers deals that vary by franchise location.
Service-Based Discounts and Freebies
Service providers across Colorado and the nation offer free or discounted services to healthcare workers. In the home services and improvement sector, BigDogMowers offers a 10% discount, and All Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating in North Carolina provides free service calls for air conditioning, heating, or electrical services. LakeSide Renovation & Design offers 10% off all financing.
Laundry and cleaning services in various states have offered free PPE laundering, scrub cleaning, and dry cleaning. Examples include: - Arizona: Free PPE laundering at Sparkle Cleaners. - California: Free cleaning of scrubs at Chateau Cleaners and View Cleaners; free dry cleaning from Dutch Girl Dry Cleaners. - New York: Wesselmann Dry Cleaners offers free washes, pickup, and delivery; Spectrum Suds offers free laundry. - Ohio: Free laundry at Whitehall Laundry.
Personal hygiene and self-care services, such as salons and spas, have provided free or discounted haircuts and beauty services. Specific examples include free haircuts at The Classic Man in Lake Balboa, CA, and Fox and Jane Salon in NYC.
Educational and Coaching Resources
Healthcare workers can access free educational and coaching resources. Coaches4Good offers free 30-minute life coaching sessions to help prepare for the next day. Simple Habit and Speeko provide free subscriptions to their mindfulness and speech coaching platforms, respectively.
Community and Support Initiatives
The State of Colorado, in partnership with the Governor's Office, offers the Stay at Home Colorado Guide through Gaia, providing free resources and information to help with isolation challenges during and after the pandemic. Additionally, some participants in the STATE OF HEALTH program may be invited to become champions, promoting the program and mentoring new participants.
Conclusion
Colorado healthcare workers have access to a diverse array of freebies, discounts, and wellness benefits. These include state-sponsored programs like STATE OF HEALTH for wellness credits and mental health support, retail discounts from brands such as Adidas, Asics, and Vitamix, food offers from Cumberland Farms and Dave & Busters, and service-based discounts on laundry, cleaning, and home improvement. Mental health resources are particularly robust, with Cigna members having access to free sessions and wellbeing tools, and various university and state programs offering counseling. While many offers require professional verification, the collective value supports both personal wellbeing and financial relief for those serving on the frontlines.