Department of Environmental Health
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Welcome to the Environmental Health Department!

Our mission is to promote healthy communities, and with our partner Denver Public Health, provide essential public health services for Denver's residents. Every year, Denver Environmental Health and Denver Public Health produce a Joint Annual Report highlighting our services to Denver residents. 
 
The Department of Environmental Health's divisions are listed below and you can access an overview of our services in our Environmental Public Health Summary.

Public Health Inspection
Public Health Inspection (PHI) seeks to minimize the risk of communicable and infectious diseases through inspections, investigations, technical assistance, education and enforcement actions in regulated facilities. Facilities include food service operations, assisted living, child care facilities, emergency medical vehicles, body art businesses, swimming pools, establishments at risk for HIV and residential housing.
Community Outreach & Support (COS) strives to improve Denver’s quality of life by providing educational and support services that focus on environmental public health issues and are community-oriented and culturally competent. COS includes the Mayor’s Office of HIV Resources, which procures and distributes Ryan White funding for services provided to people who are living with HIV/AIDS in the five-county Denver metropolitan area. COS also operates the Denver Healthy People 2010 program, which provides a community network of partners committed to making Denver a healthy place by promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing health disparities.
Animal Care & Control (ACC) emphasizes public safety and health through its investigation of animal bites, cruelty and neglect, barking dog disturbances and other complaints. It issues pet licenses, inspects pet shops and kennels, and operates the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter. The shelter focuses on securing redemptions and adoptions for animals housed at the shelter, with a goal of minimizing euthanasia. ACC staff also provides vector control services, which include insect and rodent control services and investigation of insect and rodent complaints.
Environmental Quality (EQ) assures environmental protection and provides environmental services through assessment, regulatory compliance, technical assistance, environmental education, and stewardship initiatives, for both private sector and city operations. Areas addressed include air emissions, solid/hazardous waste management, water quality, community noise, site assessment and cleanup, indoor air quality, environmental lead, smoking and idling vehicles, and emergency response. EQ is a principal support agency for the Mayor’s Sustainable Development Initiative, which promotes sustainable solutions to secure environmental, economic and community health for today and future generations.
Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) investigates all deaths reportable by statute to determine the cause and manner of death. OME also assumes control over evidence, provides expert consultants and witnesses, and coordinates death investigations with various agencies.
Administration & Decision Support (ADS) has the overall responsibility for management of the Department of Environmental Health. It provides financial, technological and management support services to all divisions and the Board of Environmental Health. This division also oversees the City’s operating agreement with the Denver Health and Hospital Authority (Denver Health).

 

      
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Pesticide Notification Registry:

Denver residents are eligible to register for notification of the pesticide application schedule in the city's parks.  This registry is provided for people who are concerned about the health risks assoicated with pesticide exposure.  Notification provides the opportunity to take precautions such as closing windows and keeping children and pets away from sprayed areas.  To register, you need to provide your full name, mailing address, telephone number and/or email address and the full name of up to three parks for which you are requesting notification.  Registration can be done by email at Sharon.Armijo@denvergov.org or by phone at 720-865-5417.  Once registered, the City will contact you at least 24 hours prior to pesticide application in your selected parks.

Earth Day Celebration:
 
2008 Earth Day Fair at Civic Center Park
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
10 AM - 2 PM

On Tuesday, April 22, people nationwide will be celebrating Earth Day to inspire awareness and appreciation for our planet.  This year, the City and County of Denver will participate in this celebration by hosting the 2008 Earth Day Fair in Civic Center Park at the Greek Amphitheater from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Everyone is welcome to attend the fair and learn about all types of “Earth Friendly” activities going on in our communities.  Information on energy & water conservation, recycling, composting, pollution prevention, transit options, renewable energy, natural resources and much, much more will be shared at the fair.

So, come join the City and County of Denver in learning how to lessen your impact on our planet!  

Event Partners: Denver Environmental Health, Greenprint Denver, Solid Waste Management/Denver Recycles, Denver Parks and Recreation, Facilities Planning and Management, and the Business Improvement District.

Confirmed exhibitors:  A Solar Solution, A1 Organics, Adobe Solar, American Lighting, Baggy Shirts, City of Denver Environmental Health, City of Denver Office of Economic Development, City of Denver Parks & Recreation, City of Denver Technology Services, Clean Air Lawn Care, Colorado Association for Recycling, Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Curbside Inc., Denver Public Library, Denver Recycles, Denver Urban Gardens, Denver Water, Denver Zoo, DEX, Downtown Denver Partnership, EcoGreenOffice, Front Range Earth Force, Greenprint Denver, Governor's Energy Office, Groundwork Denver, Metro Taxi, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, Pedro's Planet, Phoundation for Change, REC Solar, Recycled Materials Company, ReDirect Guide, Regional Air Quality Council, Regional Transit Department, Revolution Cleaners, Sierra Club Southwest Regional Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Mow Down Pollution Event:
 
Lawn-care professional and Denver Residents are invited to the first annual "Mow Down Pollution Event" on Saturday, June 14 from 10 am - 2 pm.
 
Cuernavaca Park located at 2000 Little Raven, Denver, CO  80202

Please join the Environmental Protection Agency, Denver Environmental Health, Greenprint Denver, Denver Parks and Recreation and the Regional Air Quality Council for this unique opportunity to find out how you can mow down pollution!

¯ See low-emissions lawn mowers and other equipment

¯ Learn about chemical-free lawn products

¯ Discover low environmental impact lawn-care practices

¯ Explore ways to save water, including xeriscaping

¯ Learn about composting

¯ Find out how to get discounted earth-friendly products and services

Come Enjoy the Day’s Fun Events:

¯ Win Prizes!

¯ Watch the low-emissions mower race!

¯ Meet local celebrities such as:

Mayor Hickenlooper, Mayor Smith (Golden), CW2's Chris Parente and D.J. Robbie from Channel 95.5 (The Mountain) are invited.
If you are a "green" lawn-care company, you may be eligible to host a table and advertise your business. 
 
Please contact Rebecca Russo, EPA at 303-312-6757 for more information.
 

Public Health Week was April 7-12, 2008. 
DEH activities to support Public Health week included:
 
 *Public Health Week Kickoff Event at Stapleton
Monday, April 7, 2008
Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien kicked off the 2008 National Public Health Week by presenting opening remarks in Stapleton, one of the state's premier walkable communities.  Officials from the Colorado Department of Public Health, Denver Environmental Health, and other local public health partners were on hand to celebrate this year's theme: "Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance."
 
*Healthy Climate, Healthy People: One Community at a Time Conference 
Monday, April 7, 2008
DEH staff presented on the efforts to educate the public and policy makers on climate change initiatives.
 
* Denver City Council Meeting
Monday, April 7, 2008
City Council adopted a proclamation to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles in recongition of National Public Health Week, April 7-13 during their meeting on Monday, April 7.  Denver City Council is one of the first in Colorado to personally take the challenge by adopting healthy meeting guidelines that include healthy food choices at all meetings and a "meet and move" policy.
 
* Day at the Capitol for Local Health
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Health agencies throughout Colorado were on hand at the Captiol to highlight projects and programs.  Denver Environmental Health and Denver Public Health shared a table to promote common issues.
 
* How To Get More Energy: Making Healthy Snack Choices That Keep You Going All Day!
Nutrition and Food Safety Class
Over 20 youth from the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center attended a nutrition class to learn healthy eating guidelines and food safety tips. 
 
   
DEH Newsletters:
 
The 2007 DEH Holiday Newsletter is available here.
      
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