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State health department celebrates Colorado Recycles Week

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State health department celebrates Colorado Recycles Week

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is pleased to celebrate Colorado Recycles Week and encourages Coloradans to do their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Here are some easy ways for you to make a difference: The department’s Erase the Waste site has a variety of useful tips to reduce waste:

  • Fight Food Waste: As much as 40 percent of food is wasted. Planning meals, proper food storage techniques, freezing leftovers, and composting are effective ways to reduce the amount of food and packaging that end up in our landfills.
  • Buy Big, Buy Less: Buying frequently used household items like coffee or toilet paper in bulk reduces unnecessary packaging waste and saves trips to the grocery store. When shopping online, choose multiple items to be shipped all at once.
  • Bring Your Own: Bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store or reusable water bottles and coffee cups to work/school can significantly impact and reduce the amount of waste you create.
  • Skip the Plastic Utensils. If you don’t need disposable straws, plates, plastic silverware, or napkins with your takeout, don’t take them.

CDPHE has taken numerous steps to create a more sustainable Colorado through programming, grants, advancing infrastructure, and partnerships that aim to reduce waste and provide equitable recycling to all Coloradans.“Together we can improve the state’s waste diversion rate,” said CDPHE’s Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Director, Tracie White. “Initiatives like Colorado Recycles Week remind us how important it is to continuously enhance our efforts to improve the quality of public health and the environment for both the current and future residents of Colorado.”

Here is a glimpse of what the state is working on:

Reducing waste

  • In response to the findings of the Statewide Organics Management Plan, the department is proposing changes to the solid waste composting regulations, in order to make it easier for small and mid-sized food waste compost facilities to obtain permits and to expand opportunities for diverting food waste. These changes will encourage the creation of more compost facilities that can accept food waste throughout the state.
  • The Front Range Waste Diversion Grant Program specifically targets diversion on the 13 Front Range counties where 80 percent of the state’s waste is generated. To date, the grant program has awarded nearly $18 million in grant funding. The current request for applications has a broad focus and a minimum ton- nage diverted requirement. The application period will close at 3 p.m. on January 12, 2024.

Providing equitable recycling collection

  • The Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling implementation has begun. The 15-member advisory board of recycling experts was appointed in December 2022, and the Producer Responsibility Organization, Circular Action Alliance, was approved on April 1, 2023. The statewide recycling needs assessment is currently underway and will be complete by January 2024. The extended producer responsibility program shifts the end-of-life management costs for recycling packaging and paper products from consumers and local governments to the producers. The program will provide equitable recycling to all Coloradans at no cost and is anticipated to begin in January 2026.
  • One gallon of improperly disposed paint has the ability to pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water. The Colorado Paint Stewardship Program, operated by “PaintCare” with oversight by the department, is here to prevent that by supporting convenient collection of unused paint. Since 2015, PaintCare has collected over 5.3 million gallons of unused paint and has established 196 free drop-off sites across Colorado. You can find a paint collection drop-off near you for your leftover paint.
  • Advancing Colorado’s infrastructure and economy
  • Colorado’s Circular Economy Development Center is up and running as of July 1, 2023. The center will grow existing, and create new, recycling and composting end markets, attract remanufacturers and entrepreneurs to the state, and provide the necessary infrastructure, logistics, and marketing to create a sustainable circular economy for recycled commodities.
  • We fund statewide waste diversion projects and provide rebates for community recycling centers through our Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Grant Program. The department has awarded over $27 million to develop recycling and composting infrastructure and promote sustainable behavior change in com- munities across Colorado. The current request for applications is focused on funding projects that will maximize waste diversion and create jobs in Colorado. Applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on January 5, 2024.
  • To further increase the diversion rate, the department is investing in creating local demand for recycled materials to advance a circular economy by supporting a fifth cohort of Colorado NextCycle, a program designed to boost remanufacturing solutions for recycled content in Colorado. We are accepting applications from interested teams through December 1, 2023.

Our Government

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Our Government

White House

Statement from President Joe Biden on the October Consumer Price Index: “We saw more progress bringing down inflation while maintaining one of the strongest job markets in history. At 3.2 percent, annual inflation is now down by 65 percent from the peak. Gas prices are below $3.40 per gallon, reflecting an average decline of $1.65 from the peak after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Inflation has come down while the unemployment rate has been below 4 percent for 21 months in a row—the longest stretch in more than 50 years—while wages, wealth, and the share of working-age Americans with jobs are all higher now than before the pandemic.”

Colorado Governor

Governor Jared Polis reinforced the urgent need for Congress to pass the White House’s supplemental budget request to Congress to provide resources to interior states to assist with the influx of migrants to states like Colorado, fund border security and to help crack down on fentanyl moving across the border. Governor Polis has signed state laws to address the fentanyl crisis and Colorado urges Congress to take further bipartisan action to keep the government open.

Denver Mayor

Denver’s 2024 budget – the first under Mayor Mike Johnston – was unanimously approved by the Denver City Council tonight. The 2024 budget delivers on the Johnston administration’s top priorities: an affordable Denver, a safe Denver, a vibrant and revitalized downtown, a greener Denver, and housing for all. “I’m proud that this budget passed with unanimous support thanks to the continuous collaboration and dedication from City Council, showing what is possible when we work shoulder-to-shoulder to make a Denver a safe, affordable, and vibrant city for all,” said Mayor Mike Johnston.

A Week In Review

Joseph Rios
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A Week In Review

Africa

Kenya plants millions of trees

Kenya celebrated a holiday to plant 100 million trees. The country is committed to planting 15 billion trees in 10 years, and officials said the holiday allows each and every Kenyan to own the initiative. The purpose of the holiday is to tackle global change. Trees can combat against global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide in the air and releasing oxygen

Ghana soccer player dies on pitch

Ghana soccer player Raphael Dwamena collapsed and died on the field when his team, Egnatia, was playing against Partizani. Doctors immediately intervened, according to the Albanian Football Federation, but Dwamena unfortunately passed away. He was the leading score of the league and served his country in the military.

Asia

US/China strike climate deal

Chin and the United States reportedly reached some climate change related agreements, according to the United States. The agreements were reached shortly before the COP28 Summit in Dubai at the end of the month. Details are expected to be shared soon between the world’s two biggest polluters. John Kerry, Washington’s climate envoy, recently met with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua.

India celebrates the Hindu festival of lights

Millions of Indians recently celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. It’s one of the most important festivals in the country. People gathered to pray, eat, and light fireworks, despite fireworks being banned in some parts of the country over concerns about air pollution. Delhi, India’s capital, has seen a high rate of pollution levels over the past week, and the city was recently covered by a thick layer of smog.

Europe

Far-right terror suspects detained in Belgium

A man and woman in their early 20s were detained after being accused of plotting bomb attacks and inciting violence. The couple were picked up after a series of raids in Belgium, and they are suspected of being part of a far-right group. They are also accused of recruiting people with the purpose of committing terrorist crimes. Other raids against right-wing terrorism took place in Germany, Italy, and other countries in Europe.

Kyiv hit by air raid

Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, was hit by a Russian air attack for the first time 52 days. The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko said strong explosions were heard in the early hours of Saturday morning. Residents were told to take refuge in air raid shelters, and there have been no reports of casualties from the air attack. The attack occurred after President Volodomyr Zelensky marked the first anniversary of the liberation of Kherson from Russia.

Latin America

Dozens of migrants found in Mexico

Authorities in Mexico discovered 123 people from other countries trapped in trailer in the state of San Luis Potosi. Among those who were discovered include 34 children, according to Mexico’s immigration agency. It is unknown where the migrants were heading, but it is common for many to travel through the Americas to reach the United States. Many of those who were found were from Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras.

Fire in Chile kills Venezuelans

A fire at a migrant settlement in Chile killed 14 Venezuelans. It is unknown what caused the fire, but officials are investigating whether a heating unit had overheated. Three families were living at the settlement at the time, and among those who were killed include eight children. Coronel, the city where the fire occurred, is heavily affected by fires because of high temperatures.

North America

American toddler held in Gaza

The United States revealed that a three-year-old American whose parents were killed by Hamas is among the hostages in Gaza. There are 10 Americans unaccounted for since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Brett McGurk, President Biden’s top Mideast advisor, is traveling to Israel and other countries nearby this week to work on the release of the hostages.

Police investigate hate crimes in Montreal

Police in Montreal are investigating 74 alleged hate crimes and incidents targeting the Jewish community since Oct. 7. Recent reports said gunshots hit two Jewish schools in the city overnight. Bullet holes were found on both schools, and nobody was in the building at the time of the shooting. Montreal’s Jewish community has voiced their concern about a rise in hate crimes amid the Israel-Gaza war.

MSU-Denver veteran’s port in the storm but still not the whole answer

Ernest Gurulé
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MSU-Denver veteran’s port in the storm but still not the whole answer

There will always be veterans. At least, that has been the case since our country’s inception. Veterans have an arc that stretches from muskets to smart bombs. They are also a group that, depending on a nation’s mood, has been both vilified and honored.

Now, almost fully recovered from the Viet Nam era when, perhaps, the country’s least popular and most controversial war was waged, veterans are today routinely honored and especially on Veterans Day.

Across the country, it is estimated that there are approximately 16 million veterans, men and women who have served on active duty, an estimated six percent of the population. One cohort of veterans, WWII veterans, has seen its numbers dwindle to about 116,000, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA also says that this group once numbered 16 million.

While the country has pledged to always meet the needs of this group, there will always be those who fall through the proverbial cracks. Today the VA estimates that there are approximately 37,000 veterans who are “experiencing homelessness.” But the number is down from a 2010 high of 74,000.
At Metropolitan State University-Denver, the school’s Veteran and Military Student Services program, said its director, makes every effort to meet the needs of the nearly 900 veterans or surviving spouses of veterans currently enrolled. Joe Foster, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years’ service, says its approach is as comprehensive as possible.

Because MSU-Denver has this unique population, “there is a need for both academic support and professional development,” Foster said. But another reason for the school’s support for veterans, he said, may be the result of its president. Janine Davidson, who has been MSU-Denver’s president since 2016. Davidson is also an Air Force veteran who also served as Under Secretary of the Navy in the Obama Administration.

Foster said that while most veterans enrolled at MSU-Denver do not fall into the category of homeless, any veteran with housing challenges and asking for assistance gets the office’s support. The program works regularly with city and county resources to address this issue.

It works with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, VOA, the Denver Veterans Center and a number of non-profits. It is not a matter of not wanting to directly address a veterans’ needs, Foster said, but “there are resources better designed to much more effectively handle those situations than our office.” Still, his office, he said, is the starting point when the request for help occurs.

Foster, who spent half of his career as an officer in jet aircraft maintenance and the rest as an instructor at the Air Force Academy, said that two thirds of the school’s veterans “are between 25-35.” Most, like the majority of MSU-Denver students, attend school and also have jobs. Like other schools with an older population, it’s what is known as a commuter school.

He also said that one trend that has changed over the last several years is the military experience current veteran students have had. “The big surges in combat, Iraq and Afghanistan, are now 10-15 years behind us,” said the former Air Force officer. “The ‘curve,’ those who had been in sustained and repeated combat operations, is not as represented in our veteran population.”

Nonetheless, MSU-Denver offers a counseling center for the veterans. It also keeps a veterans’ lounge for those who need computers, printing or just want to drop in. “We welcome any veteran stopping in,” Foster said. “We also have a food pantry that we like to have pretty well stocked,” for those who might want a quick snack. The pantry also provides “canned and frozen goods” that veterans can access if needed.

“We don’t advertise,” Foster said, but says anyone wanting to know its location should know it’s in the Tivoli building. But word of mouth has gotten around and the center’s “seen a significant increase in its use…it’s a place where every military student is comfortable.”

The school’s veterans’ outreach has received the highest marks from the VA, Foster said. “We recently passed a Veterans Administration compliance with zero discrepancies. That hardly ever happens with large schools.” MSU-Denver’s student population is now listed at nearly 16,000.

The challenge of meeting the needs for unhoused veterans has been made the highest priority for the federal government. HUD, VA, and USICH have all committed to addressing and reducing veteran homelessness. HUD, for example, is working with public housing authorities “in identifying additional vacant apartments and engaging landlords” to close this gap.

While the homeless or unhoused number of veterans has steadily decreased, the challenge remains vexing. In a number of studies from 1987 to 2014, the highest risk factors for homelessness among veterans were mental illness and substance abuse. Following close were low-income levels and “other income-related factors.”

In addition to the services offered to veterans at MSU-Denver, Foster also said that there is an office that aids veterans who need help with learning about and accessing veterans and military benefits. MSU-Denver also has an office of Veteran Certification.

Veteran George Autobee continues his service to his community

Joseph Rios
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Veteran George Autobee continues his service to his community

When the Vietnam War intensified some Americans at the time like Colorado native and Vietnam veteran George Autobee felt like enlisting in the military was the honorable thing to do.

Photo courtesy: George Autobee

The war was one of the longest armed conflicts in the history of the United States, spanning two decades and claiming the lives of more than 58,000 American troops. Autobee served in the 1st Marine Corps Division and was wounded twice in combat. He was eventually awarded the Purple Heart, a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving.

Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado in 1949, Autobee enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating high school. He arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam in June 1968 where he was attached to the 1nd platoon, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division specializing in 60 mm mortars and as a rifleman.

Only two and a half months after arriving in Vietnam, Autobee was wounded in his arm when he was acting as the point man on Hill 310. He was left wounded without a weapon, and after eventually reaching a hospital, he was urgently taken into surgery. After being treated for his wound, Autobee was eventually awarded the Purple Heart and later a Gold Star.

Autobee returned to the United States in May of 1969 to pursue an undergraduate degree at what is now Colorado State University-Pueblo. Later, he earned a masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and in 1980, he reenlisted in the military as part of the United States Army Reserves where he became a medic.

Photo courtesy: George Autobee

Outside of the military, Autobee has had several successful ventures, including launching his own company, World Demographic Research LLC. Through his company, Autobee developed several economic studies on national, state and county Hispanic business growth reports and research on the Hispanic consumer market for the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. World Demographic Research LLC has also produced data and studies on health subjects like diabetes impact on the Hispanic community, and other work like Hispanic skiers and their economic impact on Colorado.

Autobee has also co-authored the books “The Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training Program,” “Latino Health Disparities Report 2019,” and authored the book “Marine Grunt to Medic.” He has also produced two 30-minute video documentaries and was the producer of the shows “The Weekly Issue” and “The Hispanic Chamber Review” with Telemundo Spanish TV. Autobee was responsible for directing over 100 shows.

Veteran’s Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, honoring military veterans like Autobee who have dedicated their lives to making the country better. LaVozColorado salutes Autobee for his dedication to serving his country and shining light on important subjects that affect the Hispanic/Latino community.

Honoring veteran Leslie Maes, a community leader

Ernest Gurulé
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Honoring veteran Leslie Maes, a community leader

Honoring Fire Chief and outstanding New Mexico veteran, Leslie Maes

The life of a fire chief is never easy nor predictable. It takes on an even dicier complexion when you’re the fire chief of a rural fire department, say, one like Costilla, New Mexico’s. Costilla is a tiny hamlet with a population just south of 400 in the northcentral part of the state. It borders the Colorado state line.

From its earliest days, Costilla has been a farming and ranching community where, aside from the livestock that dot the vast open spaces, growth is slow and predictable. It’s also a place where, to steal a phrase, ‘everyone knows your name.’ And that’s pretty much been the case since the 1860’s when Costilla became a part of New Mexico. It’s a bit confusing, but there was a time when it was actually a designated part of Colorado.

Photo courtesy: Maes Family

What is not as predictable in Costilla is when an emergency is called. It could be a house fire or a medical situation, but either way, it’s when its volunteer fire department has to drop everything to respond.

A scheduled interview with Costilla’s new fire chief, Leslie Maes, reflects the nature of the job. A scheduled telephone interview with the chief could not take place because of unanticipated events, the usual ‘gotta go’ calls. But, despite the call to duty, Maes designated another volunteer firefighter, a brother—literally, a brother—to speak for her. “He knows me better than anyone,” Maes texted at the scheduled interview time.

The Maes siblings and their family go back to the earliest days of Costilla. Their family, like so many others that populate rural pockets of New Mexico, are generational ranchers. It is also a family that has answered their country’s call to duty in times of war and peace, said Dennis Maes.

“It’s a history of military service to our country,” said Maes. It continues a long of the family’s military lineage. “It’s one of our core values of service to community and country.” From childhood, he said, the siblings were regularly reminded about the tradition of honoring this commitment.

Maes and his sister are both veterans. Each enlisted at age 17. “My mom had to sign a waiver,” he said, for his sister to join the New Mexico National Guard. His sibling went on to serve in both the reserves and active duty, including a call-up when the state’s Guard unit was activated for the Iraq war. During the conflict, Maes served as a motor transport operator. It’s also when she sustained injuries that ultimately ended her time in the military. Her brother said she was one of the war’s PTSD victims.

Maes returned to Costilla and joined its volunteer fire department, a job that comes with plenty of action but no recompense, that is, no pay. It is completely voluntary. But Maes sister showed the leadership traits—command, organization, and ability to lead—that earned her the respect of her peers and ultimate elevation to fire chief, the sibling said.

“She’s been welcomed,” he said. “She has a strong image and people respect her,” he said, “and not only because of her military (record).” He says she has natural leadership qualities. In fact, her military record reflects a rare war zone field promotion.

While her military disability has forced the Costilla fire chief to put aside her work in the county’s probation department, it has not affected her ability to also serve as the vice president of the board of directors of the Rio Costilla Livestock Association.

Her appointment to the organization’s board is a natural ascendency, Maes said of his sister. “She grew up in a cattle family,” and knows the business that her family has been a part of going back generations.

Asked how long Ms. Maes plans to remain with the volunteer fire-rescue department, her brother said it would be her decision. But it seems that having won her peers’ respect and her love of the job, her stay may go on indefinitely.

Over the course of Ms. Maes dozen years in the military, including a challenging time in Iraq, there was never a question of where she would plant roots. It was always Costilla. “It was home,” said the older Maes sibling.

“Costilla has always been home to us and coming back to this place is always welcoming and comforting. It’s secure and safe.”

Note from the Publisher: In our almost 50 years in the newspaper business LaVozColorado has featured numerous veterans and honored them for their service. The majority, however have always been male; today with much pride we honor Leslie Maes, a female veteran who served in the New Mexico National Guard, returning to her hometown of Costilla, NM to serve
the community via Fire Chief, and in other positions. Leslie hails from the Ortiz and Maes families, long-standing families of the area.

Avs look to stop road loss blowouts

Brandon Rivera
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Avs look to stop road loss blowouts

After going 6 – 0 the Colorado Avalanche lost two straight last week to the Penguins and Sabers while on the road in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. They came home to host the Caroline Huricanes and the New York Islanders defeating them both by a combined score of 13 – 8.

In last week’s losses to the Penguins and Islanders the Avs were unable to score any points getting shutout 4 – 0 in both games. On Sunday night the Avs were back on the road in Las Vegas to face the defending NHL champions the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Sunday’s game became Colorado’s third loss of the season losing by yet another shutout 7 – 0.

The Avs are still near the top of the Central Division only behind the Dallas Stars by a single point while the defending champs have a strong hold of the top spot in the Pacific Division with 11 wins and 1 loss. This week the Avs will host the New Jersey Devils and the Seattle Kraken (who knocked the Avs out of the playoffs last season).

This weekend the Avs will closeout a three game home stretch against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night at Ball Arena. The Avs defeated the Blues last Wednesday 4 – 1.

In other sports the Denver Nuggets are riding a three- game winning streak after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 134 – 116 on Monday night at Ball Arena. The Nuggets will host the Golden State Warriors this week before heading out to Houston to face the Rockets this Sunday.

The Nuggets struggled in the first half of Monday night’s game, trailing 59 – 71 but got back on track in the second half out scoring the Pelicans 75 – 45 to take a 134 – 116 win over New Orleans. Currently the Nuggets are atop of the Western Conference standings a half game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and a full game ahead of the Golden State Warriors.

The Denver Broncos enjoyed the bye week after two straight wins over the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs last week. On Monday night the Broncos will host the (5-4) Buffalo Bills who are coming off a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos will also host the Minnesota Vikings the following Sunday in Denver. The Broncos are looking to turn things around at the halfway mark in hopes of a post-season appearance.

The number 20th ranked CU Women’s Basketball team pulled off a huge upset Monday night in Las Vegas after defeating the number 1 LSU Tigers 92 – 78 at T-Mobile Arena. The Women’s Buffs defense was the difference maker in their route of LSU holding the countries top team to under 20 points through the first three quarters. The CU Women’s Buffs team will return to Boulder this week to host the LeMoyne Dolphins.

The CU mens football team lost to the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday. The (No. 12) Beavers held CU’s offense to just three points in the first half. CU added two more due to a safety in the third quarter and an additional 14 points. The Buffs’ late scores weren’t enough to overcome Oregon State’s lead losing 19 – 26. CU will face the (No. 23) Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, November 11th at noon.

Thank you for your service

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Thank you for your service

Colonel Benjamin D. Conde, USAF, Retired

Photo courtesy: David Conde

“Thank you for your service.” What does that really mean to this Veteran that volunteered to serve and fight overseas?

I’ve talked with Vietnam Veterans, many of whom were drafted, and heard their horror stories of returning home to a very unwelcome country full of strangers that expressed their outrage toward them often without understanding even a fraction of what their service entailed. I’m grateful that I didn’t have to experience their painful ordeal.

However, it’s really hard for me to know whether strangers are genuinely expressing their appreciation for my service or simply performing a ritual that requires them to say those five words that we’ve all heard over and over again during the last 22 years since the 9/11 attacks: “Thank you for your service.”

As a volunteer, I found it odd to be thanked for doing something that I really loved doing. To me, the service was a treasure of people that banded together to overcome harrowing challenges and accomplish great things time and again in order to make a difference in this world.

My time in the service gave me confidence that I and my family had devoted a large portion of our lives to something good and right. But as strangers pronounced those five words to me, I was convinced that a large percentage of them had no real understanding of what my service meant to me and my fellow brothers and sisters in arms.

That made me feel like their gratitude was shallow and perfunctory. Don’t get me wrong, there are people out there that are genuinely grateful for their neighbors who are Veterans.

But it’s hard to discern who is who when you hear those five words from strangers over and over again. So, what can we do to demonstrate real gratitude for a Veteran’s service?

Perhaps it starts with attempting to really connect with their story by asking them where or with what unit they served or what their specialty was in the service. Perhaps it starts with caring enough about Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors to ensure our elected officials continuously and deliberately review the need for them to go to war before authorizing the use of military force (as a note, the 2001 Authorization for Use for Military Force enacted by Congress during the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is still in place today).

Perhaps it starts with backing the institutions, organizations, and policies designed to support current and future Veterans and their families. Or perhaps it simply starts with treating our neighbors with the grace and love required to work together to make our country a better place and worth their service and sacrifice.

I don’t pretend to know how we can best demonstrate genuine gratitude to our Veterans (as well as all of the public servants who we’ve put in harm’s way). However, after personally seeing how decisions you and I make over here translate to grievous and sometimes fatal wounds servicemen and women receive in places like Helmand, Kandahar, and Baghdad, I’m pretty confident those five words—Thank you for your service–don’t even come remotely close to paying off the account in blood accumulated by our wounded and fallen Veterans or their families.

As for me, I’ll do my best to care for you and your story, and I’ll work harder to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you care for me and mine when you say thank you.

Colonel Benjamin D. Conde, USAF, Retired November 3, 2023.

JCPH encourages everyone to get vaccinated this fall

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JCPH encourages everyone to get vaccinated this fall

As we enter respiratory illness season, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is encouraging the community to get vaccinated and help reduce disease transmission of three circulating respiratory viruses, including flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19. The flu, COVID-19 and RSV are all highly contagious and it’s possible to get sick with multiple viruses at the same time – with each one having the possibility of dangerous complications.

Some individuals are more at risk for flu complications, including older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with some chronic health conditions. Older adults and those with chronic health conditions are also at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, more than 3,000 Coloradans were hospitalized from the flu, and there was one pediatric death during the 2022-2023 flu season. Also, during this timeframe, more than 8,200 Coloradans were hospitalized from COVID-19.

The good news is that everyone ages 6 months and older, are able to get both their flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. This includes the updated COVID-19 vaccine, that more closely targets currently circulating variants and provides better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.

“What might feel like a mild illness for one person can be very serious for another, especially an older adult, young child or someone with a chronic health condition,” said Sarah Kuettel, Immunization Public Health Nurse Supervisor at JCPH. “Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, especially when paired with other steps to prevent the spread of disease, like frequent handwashing and staying home when sick, is a safe, easy and important way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

When it comes to RSV, this virus can infect anyone but is especially dangerous in infants and older adults, who are more likely than others to develop severe complications and need hospitalization. According to CDPHE, during the 2022-2023 respiratory illness season the Denver metro area (including Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson Counties) had over 2,600 hospitalizations due to RSV.

Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a vaccine against RSV for older adults, ages 60 and older, recommended with shared clinical decision making with a healthcare provider. The FDA also recently approved a monoclonal antibody treatment which is recommended for infants up to the age of 8 months old during their first RSV season, and for babies up to the age of 19 months old who may be at increased risk for severe disease due to RSV.

“RSV continues to be a big concern this respiratory sea- son, especially for young children and older adults,” Kuettel said. “These new vaccines and treatments offer life-saving respiratory protection against the negative health outcomes from RSV for our most vulnerable populations.”

Flu vaccines are available at many healthcare providers, pharmacies and clinics, including at the JCPH clinic at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. JCPH does have a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine, so please call ahead for appointment availability. Appointments at JCPH are available Monday – Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. by calling 303-239-7078. JCPH is also currently offering the adult RSV vaccine if you are eligible and will continue to monitor the arrival of the infant RSV monoclonal antibody treatment as it is released and share information on our website if we receive the treatment.

Find a flu or COVID-19 vaccine site near you or learn more about JCPH’s immunization services by visiting our website.

Source: Jefferson County Public Health

What’s Happening?

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What’s Happening?

Community

Photo courtesy: Denver Botanic Gardens

If your family speaks some Spanish, some English and some espanglish, join the Botanic Gardens and the Nerdy Naturalists on this casual exploration of the natural world en la cuidad. We practice observing and exploring the clues the natural world hides in plain sight. Instructor: Nerdy Naturalist Vanessa Callahan and Learning Engagement Coordinator Teresa Rudesyle Special instructions: Meet at the corner of Knox Ct and W 12th Ave. Be prepared to walk and be outside for an hour. Bring appropriate shoes, water, hat, jacket and anything else you need to be comfortable outside. Chequea el tiempo para vestirte bien para el tiempo!

Visit https://www.botanicgardens.org/programs/nerdy-naturalist-nature-walks-paco-sanchez-park-spanglish for more information.

Photo courtesy: Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo is offering seven (7) Community Free Days throughout 2023 for anyone in our community. To provide the best experience for all of our guests, we are offering a limited number of tickets for each Free Day. These tickets are now available on a first-come, first served basis. Anyone who wants to attend a Free Day must register online once tickets are released according to the dates below. Follow the steps at the link to get your Free Day tickets! Anyone who wants to attend a Free Day must register online once tickets are released according to the dates.

Visit https://denverzoo.org/free-days/ for more information.

Que Pasa? is compiled by La Voz Staff. To submit an event for consideration please email attractions@lavozcolorado.com with Que Pasa in the subject line by Friday at 5 p.m.

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