About Scott

Scott Downes is a senior program officer at the Colorado Health Foundation, where he guides and supports advocacy, capacity-building, and locally-focused work.

Prior to that, Scott was an independent consultant specializing in strategic communications, project management, research, and strategic learning. He primarily worked with with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations, and also partnered with the Center for Evaluation Innovation as a Senior Consultant.

Previously, Scott served as the Senior Program Officer at The Colorado Trust, where he oversaw $20 million in grant programs primarily focused on policy and advocacy, public engagement, and capacity building. Prior to that, he was the Communications Director for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy and Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute. He has held a number of key roles in local, state and national political campaigns, including working with two governors, Congressional offices, and a national campaign committee - including as a campaign manager, communications director, press secretary, policy analyst, and speechwriter.

Scott has written articles on voting rights, health care, workers’ rights, housing issues, gun violence, and more. He also was a contributing writer for 303Cycling. He has served as a volunteer board member for Scholars Unlimited and Bikes Together, and completed the Colorado Institute for Leadership Training and Leadership Denver.

Scott graduated from the University of Notre Dame and is originally from Indiana, with stints in Washington, DC and New Mexico, before moving to Colorado in 2005. He lives in Denver with his wife and their dog.