We’re a small practice with big ideas.

Elevate Health has served the health needs of Northern Colorado since 2007. The clinic is at 4795 Larimer Pkwy., Ste 200, Johnstown, CO 80534.

We are on a mission to change the way people think about healthcare. Rather than hold symptoms at bay with increasingly expensive medications, we address healthcare issues holistically — focusing on the cause, not the symptoms.

James Howton, DO

Co-Founder & Medical Director

Dr. James Howton has spent more than 30 years practicing medicine—and much of that time asking a question that continues to guide his work today: How can we help people become truly healthier, rather than simply manage their symptoms?

After completing his Family Medicine residency, Dr. Howton practiced Emergency Medicine before moving to Colorado and becoming the owner of a traditional Family Medicine practice. Caring for patients and families across generations gave him a strong foundation in conventional medicine, but he increasingly wanted better answers for his patients, in particular those struggling with conditions not addressed well by traditional medicine.

That search led him to Functional Medicine and, ultimately, to create a different kind of medical practice where he could focus on what was best for his patients without the limitations imposed by conventional health insurance.

In 2007, Dr. Howton founded Restore Health Center and later transitioned his practice to Elevate Health in 2024. His approach combines the strengths of traditional medicine, with individualized care focused on optimization of hormones, metabolism, immune function, cardiovascular health, cognition, lifestyle, genetics, and other factors that influence how a person feels and functions.

His clinical expertise includes hormone and thyroid optimization, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular and cognitive health, regenerative medicine, peptide therapy, metabolic health, sexual wellness, and longevity.

Whether a patient is struggling with a complex health concern or simply wants to remain strong, energetic, and healthy as they age, Dr. Howton’s approach is similar: He listens carefully, looks deeper with comprehensive lab data, and in partnership with his patients, develops a path toward better health.

Brianne “Bree” Newman, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Johnstown, Colorado

“Let me help you find your way back to better health, joy, vibrancy and energy”

Bree is a Physician Assistant with about 8 years of combined experience in emergency medicine, urgent care, neurosurgery, primary care, integrative medicine, and military medical service.

Her background in emergency, urgent care, and military medicine has given her extensive experience caring for patients in both civilian and operational settings. She’s comfortable managing a wide range of conditions—from acute emergencies to chronic health concerns—across all ages.

Although Bree has a strong foundation in emergency and primary care, her true passion lies in functional health. She obtained her functional medicine training from the Institute for Functional Medicine. She offers integrative and regenerative medicine, using in-depth assessments that include advanced lab testing, hormone analysis, and diagnostics to uncover the root causes of issues like gut health challenges, autoimmune conditions, neurocognitive decline, and chronic inflammation. She will create personalized treatment plans that may include bio-identical hormone therapy, targeted supplements, regenerative treatments (PRP), IV therapy, and weight management support.

Beyond her clinical work, Bree has dedicated 24 years to military medical service, blending active duty, reserves, and Air National Guard. She now serves with the Colorado National Guard at Buckley SFB where she is assigned on a Homeland Response Force, providing emergency response and disaster medicine.

Outside of medicine, Bree and her husband Chris have been married for 25 years and are raising three children—Cori, Sawyer, and Keric. She enjoys running, hiking, winter activities, baking and spending time with her family. She believes deeply in living with energy and vitality and is passionate about helping others find their way back to better health, joy, and a more vibrant life.

Julie Howton

Co-founder, Elevate Health, NBC-FMHC

Julie’s personal health journey began with a challenging diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2003. As a single mother in her early thirties, she struggled with her health for over a decade under traditional Western medical treatments. It wasn’t until she discovered Functional Medicine that she identified the root causes of her autoimmune condition. Through lifestyle modifications and Functional Medicine principles, Julie was able to completely reverse her symptoms and stop all her medications, reclaiming a vibrant and full life.

With her health restored, Julie dedicated herself to helping others achieve similar transformations. She became a certified coach in 2017 and founded Julie Howton Coaching (JHC). Her collaboration with Dr. Howton and subsequent certifications, including a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach in 2019 and NBC-FMHC in 2020, have equipped her with extensive knowledge and tools to support her clients effectively. Committed to ongoing education, Julie became a RECODE 2.0 Certified coach in 2022, focusing on cognitive decline challenges. She also created Inspired Living with Autoimmunity® and RA the Right Way®, programs designed to help others restore their health and vitality.

Named 2023 Wellness Coach of the Year by Best Holistic Life Magazine. She is also an international speaker, best-selling author, and host of the Inspired Living with Autoimmunity® Podcast.