Schools and health departments share a common goal: to provide a safe and healthy environment for students and teachers. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) works with Denver schools to identify potential health and safety hazards to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff.
School inspection reports are available to the public upon request. To request a school inspection report, please email phicomments@denvergov.org.
The National Safety Council estimates that 5,000 safety-related accidents occur in American schools each year. At least 10% of those accidents occur in science classrooms. Students are also at greater risk of developing health problems from exposure to harmful chemicals. Children’s developing organ systems are very sensitive and still developing. Children eat more, drink more, and breathe more in proportion to their body size than adults.
Types of Inspections
DDPHE conducts two types of inspections at all K-12 schools in the city and county of Denver. This includes public, private, and parochial schools. Addressing high risk issues are a priority regardless of the type of inspection.
Low risk inspections occur once every 3 years at all Denver schools. Low risk inspections are whole building inspections. Low risk inspections focus on:
- Health service rooms
- Special needs classrooms
- Areas with live animals
- Consumer science classroom
- Boiler rooms
- Cleaning and maintenance supply closets
High risk inspections are only conducted in schools where students or staff use and store chemicals, toxic materials, or electrical equipment. High risk inspections occur once per year. High risk inspections focus on:
- Science laboratories
- Art rooms
- Theatre areas
- Industrial and Vocational Shops
- Robotics classrooms
- Engineering classrooms
- Cleaning and maintenance supply closets
For more information on school health and safety regulations, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s health and safety regulations for schools website.
These resources are meant for anyone in the general public, including school staff, students and parents.
Immunization Resources
Mental Health resources
Denver Food Resources
General Resources