Announcing a $4 million investment in the Trifinio Center for Human Development, led by the Fernando Bolaños Family Foundation, 9-28-2026

Dear faculty, staff and students, 

I am pleased to announce a $4 million investment in the Trifinio Center for Human Development in rural, southwest Guatemala. This funding is made possible through the visionary leadership of the Fernando Bolaños Family Foundation and joint funding partnership from CU Anschutz, including the Colorado School of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Nursing, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and School of Dental Medicine. Read more about the history of the Trifinio Center for Human Development. 

“What started as a bold idea and a dream more than 10 years ago has become a powerful example of what successful public-private partnerships can achieve,” said Toto Bolaños, chief executive officer of AgroAmérica. “We are very proud of what we have accomplished so far in improving health, education and quality of life across more than 30 rural communities, reaching more than 65,000 people. We are honored to continue working alongside the University of Colorado and the communities of southwestern Guatemala as we begin this new phase of our partnership.”

Founded more than a decade ago through a partnership among the Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Hospital Colorado, AgroAmérica and community partners in Guatemala, the Trifinio Center was created to support the health and well-being of banana workers, their families and neighboring communities. These investments will support the recruitment of students, residents, faculty and global health leaders; enhance educational and training opportunities; advance innovative programming and partnerships; and accelerate community health initiatives in Guatemala and beyond. As the Center for Global Health continues to evolve, this support will help strengthen the infrastructure, programming and relationships needed to sustain and grow its impact for years to come.

“We are deeply grateful to the Fernando Bolaños Family Foundation for its partnership and shared commitment to improving health and opportunity in the southwest Trifinio region,” said Elizabeth Brickley, PhD, professor of epidemiology, director of the Center for Global Health and the Stephen Berman, MD, Endowed Chair in Global Health.  

“For many years, I have dreamed not simply of building a clinic in rural southwest Guatemala where I grew up, but of creating a model for improving the health and well-being of entire communities,” said Edwin Asturias, MD, professor of pediatrics, section of infectious diseases, director of Latin American Projects and the Jules Amer Chair in Community Pediatrics. “I am most excited for the opportunity to work alongside local leaders and families to strengthen community capacity, develop sustainable solutions and transform their health.”

What began as a long-term partnership in Guatemala has grown into a model, campus-wide commitment to global health, connecting faculty, students, clinicians and community partners to the world through thoughtful, collaborative education, research and implementation. 

“The Trifinio Center reflects CU Anschutz’s commitment to building lasting, reciprocal partnerships that advance health and well-being while learning from communities and sharing knowledge across borders,” said Cathy Bradley, PhD, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. “I'm especially proud that the Trifinio Center brings together the expertise, talent, and passion of colleagues across CU Anschutz’s schools and colleges around a shared mission—and demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together in partnership with communities.”

On behalf of CU Anschutz, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Fernando Bolaños Foundation for its enduring partnership and shared commitment to improving health and opportunity in Guatemala; to Dr. Asturias and Dr. Dan Olson for their longstanding commitment to advancing health in the region and sustaining the partnership with CU Anschutz; and to Dr. Brickley for her leadership in advancing the Trifinio Center's vision and impact.

I also want to recognize and congratulate the Colorado School of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Nursing, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Dental Medicine for their collaboration in securing this investment and their shared commitment to advancing health and well-being in Guatemala.

Congratulations to all.

Don Elliman
Chancellor