CEHA 2024

 This presentation will cover the recently finalized Environmental Standards for Appliances (ESA) and Building Performance Standards (BPS) in Colorado, and their impacts on hospitals and K-12 schools. The ESA, which includes the Clean Lighting Act banning the sale of compact fluorescent lightbulbs by January 1, 2025, aims to enhance resource efficiency by prohibiting less efficient appliances and products. The BPS sets ambitious targets for energy and emission reductions in large buildings by 2026 and 2030. Large public buildings, including K-12 schools, may need to invest in energy-efficient implementations to comply with these standards, particularly when construction or renovation projects trigger BPS thresholds.
In addition, the presentation will address the critical issue of food waste in healthcare and educational institutions. The environmental, economic, and social benefits of effective food waste management will be explored, along with the current challenges of food waste in these settings. Actionable strategies such as inventory management, portion control, food donation programs, and the use of technology for food tracking will be discussed. By sharing success stories and practical insights from hospitals and schools that have implemented food waste reduction programs, attendees will gain valuable knowledge and resources to adopt similar practices in their own institutions.

Can relationships improve food safety? Temporary events are special situations and require their own rules, permits, and guidelines. This presentation will discuss Pueblo County’s Temporary Event application and inspection process and how the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) develops and uses relationships with Event Coordinators to decrease infrastructural issues, improve enforcement procedures, and minimize the risk of a foodborne illness outbreak at a temporary event. 

The role of a licensing specialist is to inspect and monitor childcare facilities. This presentation will walk participants through the licensing inspection process, understand tools and resources available to programs, and allow participants to look at environments through the lens of a licensing specialist. 

Join the AEC Planning committee for a tour of the Great Wolf Lodge.

This tour has a max capacity of 50 people. More information on how to sign-up for this tour can be found at the registration desk on site.

Here in Pueblo Colorado the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) Residential housing program is to ensure adequate health and safety conditions are maintained by the owners/landlords for tenants. PDPHE receives complaints from tenants and landlords regarding maintenance, health, and safety concerns within a residence/structure and if a violation is observed, PDPHE will enforce repairs to be made in accordance with the International Property Maintenance Code. Will discuss how these complaints often result in collaborating with other local agencies and give examples of some of our most challenging cases which include hoarding, backed up sewage, animal hoarding etc.

This Presentation will provide a review of what changes from the adoption of the 2022 FDA food code apply to plan reviews.  

Young children are sensitive to the effects of chemicals in their environment. This talk will focus on protecting young children from environmental hazards at early care and education sites. We will introduce the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Choose Safe Places Program. We will discuss environmental hazards that many people are familiar with including radon and lead. We will also talk about other factors that influence environmental health such as past uses of buildings and nearby industries. Throughout this presentation, we will provide practical recommendations on best practices that support child health in childcare and education facilities. 

On June 2, 2022, House Bill (HB) 22-1244, Public Protections from Toxic Air Contaminants, was signed into law. The law directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to develop policies and regulations to reduce public exposure to air toxics. Initially, up to five priority toxic air contaminants (PTACs) will be identified and health based standards created for the PTACs.  The bill also outlines requirements for additional air monitoring and requires certain sources of air pollution to submit annual emission reports. The Toxicology and Environmental Epidemiology Office at CPDHE has been working closely with the Air Pollution Control Division to develop processes for the risk-based prioritization of toxic air contaminants and creation of health based standards.
 

In August 2023, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) received an initial phone report from a school nurse indicating that about 20 known individuals fell ill after attending a catered back to school event the night prior to report. Within hours of notification, the JCPH environmental health and epidemiology teams collaborated to initiate structured case interviews and an on-site NEARS investigation. Of 400 attendees, 136 complete surveys were returned, and 74 respondents fit the case definition, resulting in a 34% response rate among attendees and a 54% attack rate among respondents. No pathogen was clinically identified, since only 3 individuals (4%) agreed to submit stool samples, and only 1 sample was ultimately procured. However, when input into the FoodNet Pathogen Predictor, the combination of epidemiological data and environmental assessment findings indicated a 99.24% probability of Clostridium perfringens infection. Post-outbreak, notable actions included educational sessions with the event caterers that highlighted the need to implement actionable monitoring systems for temperature holding equipment, as well as communication with a legal firm seeking information regarding the outbreak. Main take-aways from the investigation included the importance of emphasizing rapid response to foodborne illness reports, promoting cross-divisional collaboration, and maintaining accurate documentation, as well as the need to identify methods to enhance stool sample submissions. 

Arapahoe County Public Health's approach to mobile regulations was heavily influenced by one mobile inspection day at La Plaza in Aurora, CO. A walkthrough of the compound was conducted with the owner of the property and the mobile operates were notified of the future inspections. The madness that ensued the day of the inspections resulted in 40% closures due to being unlicensed or having an immanent health hazard. Of the remaining mobiles 20% of the following inspections resulted in a re-inspection. There were 32 units on the lot.  This day opened the eyes of the inspectors at ACPH. It heavily influenced the mobile program moving forward.  This is our story.