About Us
Denver's Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is dedicated to advancing Denver's environmental and public health goals. DDPHE works collaboratively with city, state and community partners to conduct education, community engagement, and enforcement to ensure healthy people, healthy pets, and a healthy environment.
Mission Statement
Protect, improve, and promote the health and environment of Denver.
Vision Statement
Lead public and environmental health with innovation, equity, and excellence.
Values
- Embrace authenticity and growth – be true to yourself, celebrate individuality, and commit to continuous learning and development
- Collaborate and communicate – prioritize teamwork, share knowledge openly, and engage in transparent, active communication
- Innovate with purpose – think creatively, stay innovative, and drive impactful change with a focus on equity and justice
- Be accountable and proactive – own your actions, follow through on commitments, and approach challenges with a solutions-focused mindset
- Serve with passion and compassion – engage with the community, advocate for health equity, and promote social and environmental justice
- Foster a culture of curiosity – stay open minded, actively seek diverse perspectives, and embrace learning to enhance decision-making
- Celebrate diversity and fun – honor individuality, celebrate different perspectives, and create a fun, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive
Culture Statement
We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone, and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.
Management Team
- Karin McGowan - Executive Director
- Alice Nightengale - Deputy Executive Director
- Melanie Sobel - Director, Animal Protection
- Emily Williams - Director, Communications & Marketing
- Tristan Sanders - Director, Community & Behavioral Health
- Bill Benerman - Director, Emergency Management & Medical Operations; Interim Director, Office of the Medical Examiner
- Gregg Thomas - Director, Environmental Quality
- Dr. Sterling McLaren - Interim Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the Medical Examiner
- Danica Lee - Director, Public Health Investigations
- Meggan Parezo - Director, Shared Services & Business Operations
Published Rules & Regulations
Animal Protection Division
Community & Behavioral Health Division
Environmental Quality Division
Public Health Investigations Division
Our Partners
DDPHE is a resource to our partners in other City of Denver agencies, and throughout the state, and we proactively work together to break down silos on every level. Our diversity of programming and services means we need partnerships to make an even bigger impact on the city we serve. We are proud to partner with regional public health agencies to protect and improve the lives of the people in our community.
Public Health Institute at Denver Health
Denver Department of Public Health & Environment partners with Public Health Institute at Denver Health to provide clinical care and educational opportunities to Denver residents.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment serves Coloradans by providing public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Public health professionals use evidence-based practices in the public health and environmental fields to create the conditions in which residents can be healthy. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.
Metro Denver Partnership for Health
DDPHE is a member of the Metro Denver Partnership for Health (MDPH), whose mission is to improve population health regionally with collective action.
MDPH is a a collaboration of regional leaders from the seven-county Denver metro area partnering to achieve their common goals of advancing health equity across the region.
MDPH is led by eight metro Denver public health partners (LPHAs) — Adams County Health Department, Arapahoe County Public Health, Boulder County Public Health, Broomfield Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, Douglas County Health Department, Jefferson County Public Health, and the Public Health Institute at Denver Health — that serve Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties.
MDPH’s work impacts roughly 3 million Coloradans, half of the state’s population, who live in this region.
Big Cities Health Coalition
Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) is a forum for the leaders of America’s largest metropolitan health departments to exchange strategies and jointly address issues to promote and protect the health and safety of the 61 million people they serve. Together, these public health officials directly affect the health and well-being of nearly one in five Americans.
Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials
Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO)is the professional association representing the leadership, staff and partners of Colorado’s local public health agencies. CALPHO supports their vital, community-focused public health activities by encouraging system-level improvements.