(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The public health system reduces health care costs by preventing disease and injury, promoting healthy behavior, and reducing the incidents of chronic diseases and conditions. Thus, the public health system is a critical part of any health care reform.

(b) Each community in Colorado should provide high-quality public health services regardless of its location. Thus, the state of Colorado and each local public health agency should have a comprehensive public health plan outlining how quality public health services will be provided.

(c) Each county should establish or be part of a local public health agency organized under a local board of health with a public health director and other staff necessary to provide public health services;

(d) A strong public health infrastructure is needed to provide essential public health services and is a shared responsibility among state and local public health agencies and their partners within the public health system; and

(e) Developing a strong public health infrastructure requires the coordinated efforts of state and local public health agencies and their public and private sector partners within the public health system to:

(I) Identify and provide leadership for the provision of essential public health services;

(II) Develop and support an information infrastructure that supports essential public health services and functions;

(III) Develop and provide effective education and training for members of the public health workforce;

(IV) Develop performance-management standards for the public health system that are tied to improvements in public health outcomes or other measures; and

(V) Develop a comprehensive plan and set priorities for providing essential public health services.