August 2025 Newsletter
Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
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| From the Public Health Director | |
It’s hard to believe it, but this month the busy summer is already beginning to wind down. Like many families, my own is preparing for the upcoming school year. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or entering high school, this time of year is full of anticipation and change.
At the health department, we understand that being ready for school means more than backpacks and school supplies. It's also about ensuring children are up to date on vaccines, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and receiving the mental health support they need to thrive. It also means that parents, caregivers, and educators have access to the resources they need to support kids’ learning and well-being.
We’re here to help your family and our community start the school year strong. Our Environmental Health Specialists are busy inspecting school kitchens and cafeterias to ensure food safety standards are met. And from back-to-school immunization clinics to nutritional support programs like WIC, our team is also working to make sure every student has a healthy foundation to learn and grow.
In health,
| | Director Tom Gonzales and Kori Wilford, Communications and Technology Manager, presented at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Annual Conference in Anaheim, California on July 17th. The presentation was entitled, “Elevating Public Health: A Blueprint for Re-Engaging Key Leaders and Strengthening Community Impact” and was attended by approximately 70 people that work in local public health across the country. | | |
A big congratulations to Keila Flores-Burgos, our Water Quality and Solid Waste Supervisor, and Nicole Aguilar, our Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor! They recently graduated from the National Environmental Health Association's Environmental Health Leadership Academy. This 12-month program focuses on management and leadership skill-building, successful leadership strategies, community partnership, emergency management, and other tools to better prepare the environmental health leaders of tomorrow.
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This fall, the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE) is offering low- or no-cost vaccines to children ages 4 and older and their families who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in most Medicaid programs. Private insurance and CHP+ will not be accepted at these clinics.
Walk-In Vaccine Clinics will be held from August through November at schools and community locations across the county. Vaccines offered will include:
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For children: All vaccines required for school attendance
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For adults: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
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For all eligible participants: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines (as available)
For full details about the schedule visit: larimer.gov/back2school
LCDHE’s Clinical Services team also continues to provide immunizations during regular hours at its three public health clinic locations: Loveland, Fort Collins, and Estes Park.
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The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment has confirmed 3 human cases of West Nile Virus in Larimer County this summer. Of the 3 cases, one individual was hospitalized.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also recently confirmed the state’s first death due to West Nile virus this year. The individual was an adult living in Boulder County.
“Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are active in our area, and the risk of infection is rising,” said Tom Gonzales, Larimer County Public Health Director. “We urge everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families while enjoying the outdoors.”
The more you make mosquito bite prevention part of your summer routine, the easier it will feel, and the more you’ll be protected against West Nile virus.
- Regularly use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants for long walks, gardening, and other times outside.
- Avoid outdoor activities during peak biting times around dawn and dusk.
Learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from West Nile virus at www.larimer.gov/westnile.
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Perinatal Well-being Summit
Mind, Body, Baby: Connecting Providers for Perinatal Well-Being
This September, the Larimer County Perinatal Wellbeing Coalition is hosting a special summit bringing together professionals from across the county who are dedicated to perinatal health.
The summit is a unique opportunity for practitioners such as mental health providers, nurses, doulas, midwives, OB-GYNs, pediatricians, researchers, and program administrators, to connect, explore key issues affecting individuals and families during the perinatal period, and share valuable resources and ideas.
Keynote Speakers, Courtney Kuepper, LCSW, PMH-C and Benjamin Smith, M.D. will be speaking on the topic of Innovative Care & Treatment Trends in Perinatal Substance Use. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of issues related to perinatal care and support.
Details:
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Timberline Church - 2908 South Timberline Road, Fort Collins
Breakfast will be provided. This event is offered at no cost.
For more info and to Register:
https://www.larimer.gov/pwcsummit
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While bats often get a bad rap, they’re a vital part of our ecosystem. They eat mosquitoes, pollinate plants, and help farmers by controlling pests. But like all mammals, they can carry rabies.
In Larimer County, rabies is most commonly found in bats and skunks. It’s rare (less than 1% of wild bats carry the virus), but serious. Rabies is considered fatal once someone develops symptoms. That’s why it’s important to take precautions:
- Keep your distance from wild animals, even if they seem injured or friendly.
- Vaccinate your pets; even indoor cats. Bats can still get inside or cats can escape.
- If you were asleep in a room with a bat, report it and assume contact happened.
- Safely contain the bat by enclosing it in a room or closet, so it can be collected and tested for rabies. Call NOCO Humane Animal Control at 970-226-3647 ext 7 to pick up the bat safely.
If you woke up with a bat in the house or had direct contact with one, quick action and the post-exposure treatment can prevent illness and death. Call your healthcare provider right away, and reach out to the Zoonosis Team at the Health Department at 970-498-6666 for guidance.
Let wildlife experts handle sick or injured animals and help protect yourself, your family, and Colorado’s wildlife. Find more information about rabies at www.larimer.gov/rabies and view a map of where bats with rabies have been found in Larimer County here.
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August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, celebrating the benefits of breastfeeding and promoting lactation practices. Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits, including reduced risks of infections and chronic diseases for babies and health improvements for the breastfeeding parent. It provides optimal nutrition, promotes bonding, and is cost-effective. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program at LCDHE plays a crucial role in supporting breastfeeding families, offering resources like hospital-grade breast pumps, peer counseling, and free single-user pumps, ensuring access to necessary support throughout the first year of life. For more information, visit the national WIC Breastfeeding Support website.
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