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.

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.

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.