DDPHE Expands Mobile Public Health Services

DDPHE Expands Mobile Public Health Services

Published on October 22, 2026

Denver celebrates a new, 40-foot RV addition to the Wellness Winnie fleet

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is expanding the Wellness Winnie program, introducing the largest vehicle yet in the fleet. This expansion marks a significant increase in the program's capacity to bring public health services directly into Denver communities.

Launched in early 2020 with a "fun size" Winnebago, the Wellness Winnie program brings behavioral health services, public health resources, and community support directly to people across Denver.

Wellness Winnie has connected thousands of Denver residents with behavioral health support, case management and other essential services. The program is part of Denver's coordinated system of care and uses a fleet of specially designed vehicles to reach geographic areas of the city with limited health services and communities that have historically experienced inequitable access to care.

"Sometimes, helping someone begins with something small: sharing a resource, creating a simple connection or a providing chance to have a conversation with someone who understands what they're going through," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "Since 2020, Wellness Winnie has created those opportunities by connecting with Denver residents nearly 30,000 times. With this new RV, we will be able to offer more services, more privacy and more opportunities for people to get care on their own terms."

This fall, DDPHE is launching its largest Wellness Winnie vehicle yet. Just short of 40 feet long, the new RV has two private exam rooms which significantly increases the program's capacity for on-site medical and behavioral health services. The RV also has a waiting room space and will be fully stocked with a variety of care essentials, including naloxone, socks, gloves, toiletries, and snacks.

"The addition of this new, larger RV to the Wellness Winnie fleet strengthens our ability to provide medical care, harm-reduction support, and pathways to treatment. removing barriers so more Denverites can lead healthier, safer lives," said Karin McGowan, DDPHE executive director. "DDPHE is continuing to build toward the full vision for the Wellness Winnie program, including expanded clinical services, vaccines, STI testing and additional community-based outreach."

Wellness Winnie relies on partnerships with community organizations to connect residents with services where they live. Community partners host Wellness Winnie on a regular basis, creating accessible and familiar opportunities for residents to connect with care, resources and support.

The expansion was made possible in part through American Rescue Plan Local Relief Funds and a Caring for Denver grant. In 2027, clinical offerings will grow to include more community locations and support for medication-assisted treatment.

About ARPA Funding: Denver must obligate ARPA local relief funds, totaling $308 million, by the end of 2024 and spend them by the end of 2026. The city solicited and received feedback from over 12,000 residents, Denver City Council, city agencies, the Mayor's Stimulus Advisory Committee, and the Mayor's Economic Recovery Council to inform the use of the city's ARPA allocation. Additionally, more can be seen about progress on the programs in Denver's regularly updated American Rescue Plan Funding Dashboard and story map.

About Caring for Denver Foundation

Caring for Denver Foundation was founded and funded by the people of Denver with overwhelming voter support to address Denver's mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community's desire to help into action. Guided by community input, the Foundation has now awarded more than $258 million through 722 grants to 294 unique organizations since its inception.

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