Semi-Finalists Selected for “What If? Colorado” Reality Competition
Colorado Residents can now vote for their favorite nine contestants Sept. 6-12
DENVER (September 6, 2007) – The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) of the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced today the semifinalists to
be considered for the “What If? Colorado” reality competition. During the month of August, Colorado
residents over the age of 18 submitted video “auditions” by focusing on the five things they couldn’t live
without in 60 seconds or less to be included in the “What If? Colorado” House.
Coloradans can now view the semi-finalists on www.WhatIfColorado.com to vote for their favorite
contestants from Sept. 6-12. Then nine finalists will be selected to represent Colorado residents from all
over the state to live together for a three-day event and face a variety of challenges designed to engage
and inform them on emergency preparedness and influenza issues at The Gregory Inn in Denver Sept.
20 – 23.
Through a generous donation from HealthONE, a total of 10 prizes will be awarded in the competition –
an Apple 30 gigabyte iPod to each of the nine regional finalists and one grand prize of $2,500 cash to the
overall What If? Colorado reality competition winner.
“What If? Colorado” is a statewide, six-month campaign from The Office of Emergency Preparedness and
Response (OEPR) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The
campaign asks Coloradoans to consider how well they are prepared for a sudden emergency, such as a
severe snowstorm or power outage, as well as more long-term emergencies such as an outbreak of
pandemic influenza. In addition, the campaign prescribes specific actions residents can take to better
prepare themselves for such inevitable conditions. Specific objectives of the campaign include:
- Partnering with the Colorado Influenza and Pneumococcal Alert Coalition (CIPAC) to increase the number of Colorado citizens who receive seasonal influenza vaccinations
- Increasing the number of Colorado citizens who develop emergency kits for their homes, offices and automobiles
- Empowering Colorado citizens on measures they can take to prepare for emergencies and prevent the spread of illness during an influenza pandemic
- Informing Colorado citizens about pandemic influenza and how it differs from seasonal influenza
About the “What If? Colorado” Campaign
The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment has developed a new statewide public awareness campaign designed to inform residents
about emergency preparedness and pandemic influenza, increase the number of Coloradans who receive
influenza vaccinations, and increase the number of residents who assemble emergency preparedness
kits for their homes. The “What If? Colorado” six-month campaign, funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, asks Coloradans to consider how well they are prepared for a natural or
man-made emergency, such as a severe snowstorm, outbreak of pandemic influenza or extended power
outage, and empowers residents with tools and specific actions they can take to better prepare
themselves for such inevitable conditions. The campaign includes partnerships with King Soopers/City
Market and Eldorado Natural Spring Water, statewide special events with local public health agency
partners, a “What If? Colorado” reality competition and a November mass vaccination exercise. For
further information, please visit www.WhatIfColorado.com or call the toll free Colorado Help Line: 1-877-
462-2911.
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NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS COMPETITION. This
competition is subject in all respects to the complete Official Rules available online at www.WhatIfColorado.com, or
by sending a S.A.S.E. to "What If? Colorado Competition – Rules Request," P.O. Box 13919, Denver, Colorado,
80201.