Routt County Public Health Educator Maddy Linsacum has been named Colorado’s Public Health Emerging Leader for 2025, a statewide honor recognizing professionals with five years or less experience who have shown outstanding initiative and leadership in the public health field.

The award, presented by the Colorado Public Health Association, was announced during the Public Health in the Rockies Awards Luncheon on Sept. 10, according to CPHA Director of Operations Rachel Massman.

Winners are chosen through a two-step process, said Massman: first by the award selection committee, which scores applications based on a rubric, and then by a group of peers who make the final decision. Both panels include diverse members of the association.

Linsacum, who was nominated for the award by Routt County Public Health Director Roberta Smith and Public Health Nurse Brenna Lynam, joined the public health department in 2022 and quickly rose to prominence within the department. 

“Maddy has shown exceptional initiative, leadership and adaptability — transforming both our department and community,” wrote Smith and Lynam in the nominating statement. 

Initially brought on to develop health education programming, she assumed a leadership role after a staff departure, guiding the county through the Community Health Assessment and producing its first Public Health Improvement Plan. 

“In months, she gathered stakeholder input, analyzed community data and delivered an actionable, strategic plan — setting a new standard for our county,” the nominators wrote. 

As a registered dietitian, Linsacum launched inclusive Cooking Matters classes tailored for Spanish-speaking families and individuals with developmental disabilities, according to Smith and Lynam. She secured long-term support for the program through the nonprofit Nourish Colorado.

She also founded and leads the Built Environment Coalition, which encourages walkability, safety and accessibility in Routt County. Under her leadership, the coalition has united diverse partners to collect data, pursue grant funding and bring tangible improvements to the local community. 

“She’s also strengthened Routt County Public Health’s community presence — representing public health at concerts, farmers markets, Pride events and Bike to Work/School Day — improving access to services across Routt County,” wrote Smith and Lynam. 

This year, Linsacum earned her Certification in Public Health, adding skills in systems thinking, communication and evidence-based planning to her toolkit. 

“Maddy (Linsacum) is the embodiment of an emerging leader — skilled, passionate, equity-driven and deeply community-connected,” wrote the nominators. 

In an email to the newspaper, Linsacum said she was “incredibly honored” to receive the award. 

“I am really passionate about public health and I feel really lucky to get to serve the Routt County community every day,” she said. “I truly believe that this recognition is not only a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the dedicated public health professionals I’ve had the privilege of working alongside from the beginning. I’m really thankful to be part of such an awesome team here in Routt County.”