Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast

The Lunch Lab & Public Health on Capitol Hill

What's up in public health this week? Zac Hummel, Community Impact Manager at the Food Bank for Larimer County, joins us to talk about The Lunch Lab, a program that provides free, nutritious meals to school-aged kids during school breaks and throughout the summer. The Lunch Lab food truck travels to libraries, parks, neighborhoods, and other community locations, helping ensure that young people have access to healthy meals when school is not in session. Kimberly Baker, LCDHE's Health in All Policies Coordinator, is back to give us an update on the 2026 Colorado legislative session. She provides an overview of bills that passed that will impact public health policy, how the state's budget crisis impacted public health funding, and what she expects to see in the next session. Resources: * The Lunch Lab: https://foodbanklarimer.org/lunch-lab [https://foodbanklarimer.org/lunch-lab/] * Larimer County proposed data center regulation feedback: https://www.larimer.gov/spotlights/2026/04/23/proposed-data-center-regulation-feedback-needed [https://www.larimer.gov/spotlights/2026/04/23/proposed-data-center-regulation-feedback-needed?fbclid=IwY2xjawSN-alleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnM2plNmVQQTdQMTlscUhIc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkqg7Eor9XOpaII0Bj6Z54nPVZ3kwKoXcbI1AQ6jXZwFyQc7rTcOxELk8ECJ_aem_YWdncwCfnAZ5aiPJKJw3QNp76w1l&brid=YWdncwHHph0InNMKfGjfWIyEKdJp] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

Healthy & Safe Swimming

What's up in public health this week? Every May, we celebrate Healthy and Safe Swimming Week in the lead up to Memorial Day. Healthy & Safe Swimming Week highlights the roles of swimmers, caregivers, facility owners and operators, and public health officials in preventing disease outbreaks, pool chemical injuries, and drowning. This week, Kate Uchitel, Environmental Health Specialist here at LCDHE, joins us to talk about how the health department works to keep public pools safe and share steps we can all take to stay safe and healthy this summer. Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

History of Public Health in Larimer County

What's up in public health this week? This week, we are thrilled to bring you a feature episode with Dr. Adrienne LeBailly. Dr. LeBailly served as the previous director of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment before retiring in 2019 after 31 years at the health department. She joins us to share some of the history of public health in Larimer County and reflect on how the work of public health has changed over time. Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

Protecting Air Quality in Colorado

What's up in public health this week? In recognition of Clean Air Month, we’re joined by Stefanie Shoup, Deputy Director for Regulatory Affairs for the Air Pollution Control Division at CDPHE, for a conversation about air quality in Colorado and the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce pollution and protect public health. We discuss how air quality data is collected, the primary drivers of poor air quality in Colorado, newly adopted regulations addressing priority air toxic contaminants, and how residents can stay informed. You can sign up for air quality alerts, find historical data for your region, and learn more about the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division at cdphe.colorado.gov/apcd. [https://cdphe.colorado.gov/apcd] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

How to Prepare for Wildfires

What's up in public health this week? Northern Colorado has experienced more than twice as many red flag warnings as it had at this point in 2025. Ricardo Perez, Public Engagement Manager for the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management, joins us this week to discuss steps we can all take to be prepared for wildfires this season. Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].