Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast

Ground-Level Ozone 101

What's up in public health this week? Ground-level ozone is Larimer County's most pressing air quality issue. This week, we're joined by Mike Silverstein and Kelsey Simpkins from the Regional Air Quality Council. Mike serves as their Executive Director and Kelsey is the RAQC's Communications and Program Manager. They explain how ground-level ozone forms, how it impacts our health, and steps we can all take to improve our air. Resources: * Sign up for ozone alerts: Text "BetterAirCO" to 21000 or visit simplestepsbetterair.org [https://simplestepsbetterair.org/] * Learn more about air quality planning and how you can get involved: raqc.org/aq-planning [https://raqc.org/aq-planning/] * Learn more about RAQC programs: * Simple Steps Better Air [https://simplestepsbetterair.org/] * Clean Air Auto Repair [https://www.cleanairautorepair.org/] * Engines Off [https://www.enginesoff.org/] * Accessible Bikes for Community [https://raqc.org/aq-planning/] 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].

A Closer Look at Ticks in Colorado

What's up in public health this week? Ticks may be small, but they can have a big impact on human and animal health. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Chris Roundy, Medical Entomologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to discuss ticks, tickborne illnesses, and practical steps people can take to prevent tick bites while enjoying Colorado's outdoors. We also discuss CDPHE's tick surveillance efforts, including the state's long-running passive surveillance program and its new active surveillance program. Dr. Roundy explains how these programs help public health officials better understand where ticks are found, which species are present in Colorado, and what that means for disease prevention across the state. Resources: * Learn more about tick-borne diseases [https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/tick-borne-diseases] * Submit a tick [https://cdphe.redcap.state.co.us/surveys/?s=3YA7W4C4DMNLWTPC] 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].

Prescribing Connection: Supporting Health Through Community and Creativity

What's up in public health this week? In this episode, we continue our conversation about social prescribing - an emerging approach to supporting health and well-being that connects people with community resources, groups, and activities that support overall health beyond traditional medical care. As our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) team continues their work to promote social prescribing throughout the county, we sit down with Jo Buckley, LCDHE's CHIP Coordinator and Mimi Ferrie Lee, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Dandelion Arts Collective, to discuss how the arts, social connection, and community engagement can positively impact mental and physical health. Resources: * Previous episode on social prescribing [https://rss.com/podcasts/healthier-together/2585549/] * Larimer County's Community Health Improvement Plan [https://www.larimer.gov/health/strategic-planning-health-equity-and-partnerships/larimer-county-community-health-improvement-plan-2024-2029] * Dandelion Arts Collective [https://www.dandelionartscollective.org/] * SocialRx [https://www.socialrx.com/] * Book recommendations: * Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/231680073-art-cure] * Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61358662-your-brain-on-art] 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].

Know Before You Go: Tools to Prevent West Nile Virus

What's up in public health this week? As we enjoy the outdoors this summer, a common risk we encounter in Larimer County is West Nile Virus. This week, we’re joined by Alison Barbee, Communicable Disease Epidemiologist here at the health department, to discuss how West Nile Virus is transmitted, common symptoms, who is most at risk for severe illness, and what residents can do to protect themselves. Plus, learn how mosquitoes are trapped and tested and how you can explore that data in our new West Nile Virus dashboard. Resources: * Learn more about West Nile Virus: larimer.gov/westnile [https://www.larimer.gov/health/communicable-disease/west-nile-virus] * Explore the dashboard [https://apps.larimer.org/api/health/west-nile/?_gl=1*e0o5uq*_ga*MTYzOTE4MDYzNi4xNzc5MzEzOTUy*_ga_QNLMFKNV2P*czE3ODExNTU3NTgkbzM1JGcwJHQxNzgxMTU1NzU4JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..] 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.

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].