Colorado has long been knownas one of the healthiest states in the country.

A culture of outdoor recreation along with plenty offood-conscious residents probably helps keep the Centennial Statein better shape than most of its other 49 siblings.

But the lowest obesity rate in the country still isn’tthat good, considering that the country in question is the UnitedStates. And of course, there are a plethora of other health issueslinked to lack of medical care and alcohol or drug abuse that thosein charge of the state’s public health agencies know are all tooprevalent.

In an ostensible attempt to lower its own health care costs and to setan example to the broader state citizenry, the Colorado stategovernment began an initiative three years ago to “make Coloradothe healthiest state.” It partnered with Welltok, a Denver-basedcompany that credits itself as the “developer of the health careindustry’s first consumer enterprise platform.”

The platform offers personalized health recommendations as wellas financial rewards for achieving physical fitness or other healthgoals.

On Wednesday, Welltok released a survey of state employeeswho participated in the wellness program offeredthrough its platform. The results, it says, show that the programhas made workers healthier.

Among the highlights from the survey:

• 88 percent say they found the wellness program valuable.

• 71 percent believe their health has improved since joining theprogram.

• 41 percent say they feel less stressed as a result.

• 38 percent say they have lost weight.

• 77 percent feel better-educated on their health.

• 38 percent feel better-informed about their benefits.

Calling the program a major success, Welltok announced onWednesday that it was rolling out a second phase in which it willoffer incentives to employees for getting flu shots or preventativescreenings.

Colorado “embraced the opportunity to provide a flexible programthat encourages health optimization and education for all employeesthrough a variety of incentives,” said Welltok co-founder ScottRotermund, in a statement. “They set the standard, and we’re hereto help the entire nation reach it.”

The effectiveness of wellness programs has been a subject ofincreasingly intense debate.

Critics say there is no proof that employer-sponsored programsthat encourage healthy behaviors, such as exercise, produce afinancial benefit for the employer.

Wellness proponents have increasingly shifted the emphasis awayfrom return on investment. Instead, they say the goal of suchprograms should be to increase employee engagement and create bondsin the workplace.