A nonprofit health care initiative called Choose When that was started by philanthropic women in Routt County in spring 2017 has now expanded across the state.

The Choose When program offers long-acting reversible contraception for income-challenged women. It was transferred to the nonprofit Caring for Colorado Foundation in October 2023 to grow the offering into a statewide program. Caring for Colorado adopted the Choose When regional model of individual and foundation fundraising to offset the costs of contraception — including long-acting methods that can cost up to $1,000 — for people with financial barriers.

The foundation recently awarded the first round of $600,000 in Choose When funding that includes more funding for Northwest Colorado and 23 other grants that will help safety-net clinics reach 38 counties throughout the state, according to Amy Maillet, strategic communications director at Caring for Colorado.

The funding continues to be available for women in Routt, Moffat, Jackson, Grand and Rio Blanco counties through Northwest Colorado Health.

“For women’s health, the right to choose when to become pregnant promotes better health outcomes and improved self-sufficiency rates,” said Stephanie Einfeld, CEO at Northwest Colorado Health.