Our mission is to promote healthy communities. With our partner Denver Public Health, we 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 (DEH)is made up of five divisions:

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 Health & Decision Support (CHDS) 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. CHDS 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. CHDS 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.

CHDS 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).

Animal Care & Control
Animal Care & Control (ACC) plays an integral role in protecting public safety, health, and in promoting and protecting animal welfare. Animal Care & Control is responsible for investigating animal bites, cruelty and neglect, barking dog disturbances and other complaints.

ACC is also responsible for issuing pet licenses, inspecting pet shops and kennels, and operating the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter (DMAS), located at 678 S. Jason Street.  

Staff is dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners, and finding homes for adoptable animals.

Environmental Quality
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
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.

A Report on the Health Status of the Residents of Denver

This report is designed to inform Denver leaders, the media, community-based organizations and residents about key public health issues and opportunities to improve Denver’s health status.

Through this report, organizations committed to the health of Denver residents will be able to: