Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Plague Confirmed in Prairie Dogs at Numerous Commerce City Sites

Archive
Posted on: August 2, 2019

Tri-County Health Department is working with numerous sites in Commerce City regarding plague-infested fleas affecting the prairie dog colonies in the region. Several areas have been closed voluntarily, signs have been posted, and the prairie dogs’ holes are being treated with insecticide to kill any fleas that could transmit the disease to prairie dogs, humans, and pets. These areas are affected until further notice:

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is temporarily closed to public visitation as staff continue to assess the scope of impacted areas and implement the refuge’s prairie dog management plan. Additional information will be posted on the refuge’s website as it becomes available: www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_mountain_arsenal.

In Commerce City, the Prairie Gateway Open Space is closed along with the fields located at the corner of E. 56 Ave. and Quebec St., and E. 56th Ave. and Valentia Street. Updates are available at Commerce City: c3gov.com.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has restricted cars to asphalt parking areas and has cancelled their Saturday evening fireworks display. The health department feels that taking these precautions will greatly minimize the risk of exposure to patrons, players and employees visiting this weekend and help ensure a safe experience for all attendees. Updates are available at www.dickssportinggoodspark.com

“Plague in prairie dog colonies is common in Colorado and can be managed safely with insecticide to kill the fleas that spread the disease,” states John  M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. “Our partners have voluntarily closed these locations to prevent any humans or pets from wandering into the affected areas.”

There are no known human cases at this time, but people should be aware of the common symptoms of plague – fever, swollen and tender lymph nodes, chills, and extreme exhaustion – and contact their health care provider if they think they were exposed. Although plague can cause serious illness in humans, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics, especially when diagnosed early. Dogs that are exposed to the plague do not usually get sick, but can transport the fleas.

Tri-County Health Department will continue to monitor these locations and other prairie dog colonies in the region. Check individual websites for updated information, and visit www.tchd.org/271/Animal-Related-Zoonotic-Diseases for more information about plague.

Half-Staff Flag
Posted on: March 7, 2024

Governor Polis Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Eagle County Paramedic Steve Zuckerman

COLORADO - Governor Polis ordered flags to half-staff on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Steve Zuckerman, an Eagle County paramedic who passed away responding to a backcountry rescue call in Vail on Friday, February 23, 2024. Flags are being lowered in Zuckerman’s honor on the day of his memorial service.

Steve Zuckerman worked as ski patrol for Beaver Creek for over 25 years. He became a part-time paramedic in 2008, before becoming full-time in 2013. 

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. 

2024 Chair and Vice Chair
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.  

Half-Staff Flag
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:

OSST Recipients
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.