What's up in public health this week?

In this two-part conversation, we take a closer look at the Longview Acute Care Facility, a key part of the region’s mental health crisis care system, and explore how its work is evolving to meet the needs of the community.

Our guests are Dr. Lesley Brooks, SummitStone’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director at Longview, and Cassie Damato, SummitStone’s Director of Acute Services. They walk us through what Longview is, how it got started, and the role it plays in providing care to people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

We also discuss two major developments in Longview’s work: a new public data dashboard that provides more visibility into the services they provide and a new youth acute care wing, which opened in December 2025.

Resources:

• Learn more about Longview
• Learn more about SummitStone
• Explore the new data dashboard

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

In this two-part conversation, we take a closer look at the Longview Acute Care Facility, a key part of the region’s mental health crisis care system, and explore how its work is evolving to meet the needs of the community.

Our guests are Dr. Lesley Brooks, SummitStone’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director at Longview, and Cassie Damato, SummitStone’s Director of Acute Services. They walk us through what Longview is, how it got started, and the role it plays in providing care to people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

We also discuss two major developments in Longview’s work: a new public data dashboard that provides more visibility into the services they provide and a new youth acute care wing, which opened in December 2025.

Resources:

• Learn more about Longview
• Learn more about SummitStone
• Explore the new data dashboard

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

One choice can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Positive decisions can protect opportunities, aspirations, and future success. Poor decisions involving firearms can result in consequences that permanently alter a young person's future.

This week, the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition introduced "Choices" an educational video with a simple message: Youth have the power to protect their futures. We sat down with Emily Humphrey, Director of Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives and founding member of the coalition, to learn about the development of the video, the impact of youth gun violence in our community, and the work being done to address it.

Resources:

• Watch Choices
• Learn more about the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition
• Learn more about Larimer County Community Justice Alternatives

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 [email protected].

This episode contains discussions of suicide. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 anytime day or night to access free, confidential support.

What's up in public health this week?

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we’re continuing the conversation about how our community can come together to prevent suicide and support those who may be struggling.

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren SinClair, Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinator, and Shannon Teague, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, from our local Veterans Affairs office. We talk about the VA services available to veterans and their families, suicide prevention work happening in our community, and how individuals can make a difference.

Resources:

• 988 Crisis Line
• Learn more about the VA
• Contact Lauren SinClair
• Veterans Service Office
• Healing Warriors
• Health for Heroes
• Qualified Listeners
• Pause to Protect
• Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery.

Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce stigma, and connect people with care. This episode is all about the Yarrow Collective. We sit down with Ashleigh Jones, Co-Founder and Director of Community Care and Training, and Matt Schwall, Reentry and Peer Support Advocate, to learn about their work and discuss the current landscape of substance use in Larimer County.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Yarrow Collective
• Saving Our Own Lives by Shira Hassan

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery.

Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce stigma, and connect people with care. This episode is all about the CSU Prevention Research Center. We sit down with their Executive Director Nate Riggs to learn about the Prevention Research Center's work and discuss the current landscape of substance use prevention in Larimer County.

Resources:

• Learn more about the CSU Prevention Research Center
• Washington State Institute of Public Policy Benefit-Cost Database

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery.

Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce stigma, and connect people with care. This episode is all about the Colorado Health Network (CHN). We sit down with Izzy Pike, Director of Prevention Services, and Rebecca Lara, Prevention Services Manager, to learn about CHN's work and discuss the current landscape of substance use in Larimer County.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Colorado Health Network

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery.

Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce stigma, and connect people with care. This episode is all about the North Colorado Health Alliance (NCHA). We sit down with Hannah Groves, Director of Community and Systems Engagement, and Brandi Drtina, Project Supervisor and Certified Peer and Family Specialist, to learn about NCHA's work and discuss the current landscape of substance use in Larimer County.

Resources:

• Learn more about the North Colorado Health Alliance
• NCHA Overdose Awareness Day Events
• NCHA Addiction Response Team referral

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and the Health District of Northern Larimer County are frequently confused for one another. In this episode, we sit down with the health department's Executive Director Tom Gonzales and Brian Ferrans, the Executive Director of the Health District of Northern Larimer County to explain the distinct roles of their organizations, the services they provide, and how they collaborate to improve the health and well-being of Larimer County residents.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
• Learn more about the Health District of Northern Larimer County

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 [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather-related hazards in the United States, and it's becoming more common across Colorado. Extreme heat can sneak up on anyone and can sometimes cause serious illness. In this episode, we explore how extreme heat impacts the body, our emergency medical system, and the wider community.

First, we speak with Dr. Tyler Vaughn, an emergency physician who cares for patients at UCHealth emergency departments in northern Colorado and oversees UCHealth EMS, which serves much of Weld County and northern Larimer County. Dr. Vaughn explains how extreme heat affects the body, who is most at risk for heat-related illness, and what he's seeing in emergency departments and emergency medical services during local heat events.

Next, Jared Olson, Population Epidemiologist here at the health department, shares local data and trends related to extreme heat. We discuss how heat impacts our community and the steps we can take to address it both as individuals and a community.

Finally, Dr. Paul Mayer, Medical Officer here at the health department, discusses additional summertime public health concerns, including air quality, animal-borne diseases, and other seasonal risks. He also explains how to understand public health advisories, watches, and warnings so you know when to take extra precautions.

Resources:

• Learn more about heat safety: larimer.gov/heatsafety
• CDC Heat Risk Tool
• Larimer County Office on Aging

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 [email protected].