Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast

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].

What's up in public health this week?

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment is governed by the Larimer County Board of Health (BOH), a group of five volunteers who are appointed by the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners to serve five-year, staggered terms.

In this episode, we sit down with outgoing BOH member Dr. Bernard Birnbaum as he reflects on his 10 years of service to our community. After completing two five-year terms, Dr. Birnbaum shares what inspired him to serve, highlights memorable moments from his time on the Board, and discusses the important role public health plays in our community.

Joining the conversation is our Executive Director Tom Gonzales, who helps explain the responsibilities of the BOH, how members work alongside the health department, and reflects on his time working with Dr. Birnbaum.

Thank you, Dr. Birnbaum, for your years of dedicated service and commitment to improving the health of our community.

Resources:

• Learn more about the BOH

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?

Health equity is critical to our mission here at the health department. As we work to provide everyone in Larimer County the opportunity for a healthy life, identifying and addressing inequities is crucial. This week, our Health Equity Initiatives Coordinator, Devontay Tobe, joins us to discuss health equity and how it shows up in the work of the health department.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment's office of Strategic Planning, Health Equity, and Partnerships

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 health department recently launched a new Perinatal Nurse Support Program (PNSP). This program provides support for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use. They work alongside families during pregnancy and early infancy, offering education, resources, care coordination, and encouragement.

In this episode, Senior Public Health Nurse Kinsi Shriner and Maternal, Family, and Nutrition Programs Manager Leigh Ann Frost join us to discuss the need for the program in our community, the services it provides, plans for its first year, and how community partners can get involved.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Perinatal Nurse Support Program
• Participant interest form
• Care provider referral form

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?

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
• Learn more about air quality planning and how you can get involved: raqc.org/aq-planning
• Learn more about RAQC programs:
  • Simple Steps Better Air
  • Clean Air Auto Repair
  • Engines Off
  • Accessible Bikes for Community

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?

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
• Submit a tick

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 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
• Larimer County's Community Health Improvement Plan
• Dandelion Arts Collective
• SocialRx
• Book recommendations:
  • Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt
  • Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross

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?

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
• Explore the 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?

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
• Larimer County proposed data center regulation feedback: https://www.larimer.gov/spotlights/2026/04/23/proposed-data-center-regulation-feedback-needed

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?

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 [email protected].