Press Release

State health department executive director appoints four members to Environmental Justice Advisory Board

REMOTE (Nov. 19, 2021): Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has appointed four new members to the department’s new Environmental Justice Advisory Board.

The four appointed to the board are:

  • Jorge Figueroa, Community Partnerships Administrator, City & County of Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency; to serve for four years.

State health department celebrates Colorado Recycles Week

(REMOTE: November 18, 2021): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is pleased to celebrate Colorado Recycles Week. While Colorado’s diversion rate of 15.3% continues to lag behind other states, we are committed to achieving a 45% diversion rate by 2036. To get there, we are taking several actions to chart the course and move the needle.

Coloradans urged to build on record flu vaccination uptake to preserve hospital resources and protect communities

REMOTE, Nov. 16, 2021 – More Coloradans than ever got their flu vaccine last year, a feat that state health officials are encouraging Coloradans to exceed this year to save lives and reduce stress on health care systems and workers who are responding to increased hospitalizations from COVID-19. 

We encourage Coloradans to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible as flu cases typically start to increase in the fall and peak between December and February. As of November 16, seven people have been hospitalized due to the flu. 

State seeks feedback on new, more restrictive permit for Suncor

REMOTE, Nov. 16: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is asking the public to weigh in on a permit that will limit pollution and place more conditions on Suncor oil refinery. The draft permit is a more restrictive permit than Suncor previously had. It will further protect Sand Creek and downstream waters for recreation, aquatic life, agriculture, and drinking.

Colorado launches new suicide prevention online resource supporting military and veterans

(REMOTE - Nov.12, 2021):  Colorado is launching an online platform, Operation Veteran Strong, designed to connect veterans to the right national and local resources at the right time to increase self-awareness, build resilience, and prevent the development of mental health and well-being crises. Although veterans make up nearly 10% of the population, 17% of all suicides in Colorado are veterans, and the suicide rate among veterans is more than double the rate of non-veterans.

Colorado recognizes state businesses for environmental leadership

Castle Rock Water awarded 2021’s top prize

REMOTE (October 12, 2021):  Colorado’s Environmental Leadership Program has awarded 154 Colorado companies with a spot on this year’s ELP membership roll. To qualify, each of these companies had to  demonstrate an impressive commitment to environmental stewardship. ELP members represent a diverse array of businesses across the state, large and small, with unique and inspiring projects to reduce their environmental impact. 

Salmonella outbreak linked to seafood 82 Cases in 14 Colorado counties

REMOTE (October 8, 2021): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in cooperation with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the FDA, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Thompson that sickened 102 people in 14 states. Colorado was heavily impacted with 82 of the ill people living in 14 Colorado counties. The cases have been linked to seafood manufactured or processed by Northeast Seafood Products, Inc. of Denver.