Posted on: May 16, 2023
Stout Street Foundation and Adams County Health Department Partner to Implement Program
The Stout Street Foundation (SSF), located in Commerce City, is a 24-month residential recovery program that supports residents experiencing substance use challenges, including nicotine dependence. Effective May 1st, SSF has partnered with Adams County Health Department (ACHD) and residents to adopt an innovative property-wide smoke-free policy culminating in a community mural art project reflecting SSF’s commitment to change and healing.
Traditionally, substance use treatment and recovery has not included the treatment of nicotine dependence. Public health research demonstrates the importance of addressing nicotine use and substance use treatment at the same time. SSF residents agree that they can go smoke-free and engage in healing from all substance use. “Despite traditional practices of treating one substance at a time, we know that when nicotine dependence is treated at the same time as other substances, people are more likely to recover from all substance use,” explains Monica Buhlig, Division Director of Health Equity and Strategic Initiatives at ACHD. “Everyone, including residents experiencing substance use challenges, deserves to have the healthy choice be the easy choice in a smoke-free environment.”
To recognize the challenge of this shift, local artist, Darrell Anderson, and two Artists in Recovery worked with residents to develop and install a mural. They worked closely with residents to design, sketch, and paint a six-canvas mural that serves as a unifying symbol of residents engaging in the journey of SSF moving to a smoke-free environment. “Mural making, used in the context of traditional art therapy, has many benefits, especially when done in a common group setting. More importantly, when this is done between peers in recovery, the process of engaging residents is just as important as the art created,” says Darrell Anderson.
"This year-long process has engaged residents in treatment. We have traded in our closet of cigarette packs for nicotine replacement therapy. We now support our residents with a smoke-free environment, and the artwork highlights our commitment to residents and healing,” shares Sharol Wells, CEO and President of SSF.
Stout Street Foundation’s mural was unveiled on May 6, reflecting the community’s commitment to public health innovation and impact by engaging with one another to formally adopt a smoke-free campus on May 1 and treat nicotine dependence among 95 residents since February 1.
Posted on: February 6, 2024
Adams County Health Department (ACHD) Supports Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Recent Action to Protect Clean Air for All
Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) announced the largest state enforcement package against a single facility for air pollution violations to Suncor refinery in Commerce City. Suncor must pay at least $10.5 million toward penalties and projects due to air pollution violations from July 2019 through June 2021. This action is a step toward holding Suncor more accountable for past violations and requires the refinery to take steps to prevent future violations.
Posted on: January 9, 2024
Commissioner Emma Pinter Elected Board Chair for 2024
Commissioner Eva Henry Selected as Vice-Chair
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Adams County Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Emma Pinter as board chair for 2024. Pinter first took office to represent District 4 as commissioner in 2019 and won re-election in 2022.
Posted on: December 28, 2023
Adams County, VOA Colorado, DRCOG, and Senior Hub Seek Volunteers to Deliver Meals to Older Adults
The nonprofit Senior Hub recently reported it was running out of funds to continue supporting its Meals on Wheels program in Adams County. To ensure Senior Hub’s existing clients continue to receive meal delivery services, Adams County has partnered with Senior Hub, Volunteers of America Colorado (VOA Colorado), and Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to fund emergency meals while a long-term strategy is developed to continue these services for older adults into the new year.
Posted on: December 19, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to Fly Half Staff to Honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on all public buildings to honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Nation’s highest court as directed by President Biden. Flags should be at half-staff from midnight Monday, Dec. 18, to sunset Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Governor Polis previously released a statement on the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
The text of President Biden’s proclamations reads:
Posted on: December 12, 2023
Adams County Commissioners Award More Than $8 Million in Open Space Grants
On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded more than $8 million in open space grants for 16 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the fall 2023 grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2023 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.
Posted on: December 7, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff For Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in honor of the Americans who died in service of their country at Pearl Harbor, as directed by President Biden.
President Biden’s proclamation reads:
Posted on: December 5, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to be Lowered to Honor Sergeant Michael Moran
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, to honor Sergeant Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty last week. Flags should be lowered Dec. 6, the day of the service, from sunrise to sunset on all public buildings statewide.
Posted on: November 21, 2023
Governor Polis Orders Flags to be Lowered to Half Staff in Remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter
DENVER - Governor Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings in honor and remembrance of First Lady Rosalynn Carter as proclaimed by President Biden. Flags should be lowered beginning on Saturday, November 25, 2023, until sunset on the day of the funeral which will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
The President’s full proclamation text states:
Posted on: November 16, 2023
Adams County Celebrates National Adoption Day
On Thursday, Nov. 16, 18 children in Adams County welcomed a new start on National Adoption Day. A special celebration took place at the Adams County Justice Center, 1100 Judicial Center Dr., Brighton.
The Board of County Commissioners, Human Services Department, and the 17th Judicial District hosted the adoptive families. Adams County projects a total of 130 adoptions will be finalized by the end of the year.
Posted on: October 31, 2023
