151C93CBF5AC262C872586690076E17A Hearing Summary

Director Ryan introduced the presentation and discussed an overview of the services and programs offered by CDPHE. She referred to the mission and vision of CDPHE and gave an overview of the organizational structure of the department. The department has had to hire staff due to the increased need because of the pandemic. She spoke about the equity and diversity plan within the department.

Director Ryan discussed the performance management of the department including their Wildly Important Goals (WIGs). She discussed the efforts to reduce ozone within Colorado and the rule recommendations for 2021. These recommendations included the oil and gas rulemaking and the regional haze rulemaking.

Director Ryan discussed the third WIG, which is aimed at detecting, mitigating, and preventing per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). She informed the committee of ongoing efforts to test and treat water systems across Colorado and legislation that is aimed at helping CDPHE achieve this WIG.

Director Ryan moved on to the COVID-19 response WIG. She pointed the committee to a graph on slide 17 of the presentation showing Colorado's incident rate compared to the US. The department has seen success in bringing the rate down. She outlined the efforts related to achieving a 70% vaccination rate in Colorado for those aged 18 and older by September 2021.

Director Ryan discussed the adult flu immunization WIG. The goal is to increase the percentage of adults aged 65 and older protected against influenza through vaccination. She pointed the committee to a chart on slide 21 showing the number of individuals receiving the vaccine over the last several months.

Director Ryan discussed the childhood measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization WIG and their goal to increase the percentage of kindergarteners protected against MMR. She pointed to a graph on slide 24 showing the number of kindergarteners immunized over the last couple of years. She noted that there has been a decrease this past year because of COVID-19.

Director Ryan pointed the committee to a graph on slide 26 that shows the suicide rate trends. She discussed ways that the office is working to reduce these rates. These efforts include the Gun Shop Project and follow-up services after discharge.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG on healthy eating and active living for adults in an effort to maintain the prevalence of Colorado adults at a healthy weight.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG related to the prevention of HIV transmission. She noted that Colorado is seeing flat or increasing rates of transmission.

 

Director Ryan discussed the equity, diversity, and inclusion WIG. She spoke about the internal work that is being done to address health equity and declaring racism as a public health crisis.

Director Ryan discussed the WIG regarding enabling remote work. The department implemented the Continuity of Operations Plan.

Director Ryan pointed the committee to links for more information listed on slide 34.

The committee asked questions about the vaccine plan and how it is being rolled out to rural Colorado. Director Ryan answered with comments about the current vaccine plan and acknowledged that she will follow up with the Governor's Office about funding.

Trisha Oeth, CDPHE, elaborated on the efforts to reduce ozone levels in the state.

 

 

Committee questions continued. Director Ryan continued to respond to questions about the vaccine distribution. Dr. Eric France, Chief Medical Officer, CDPHE, answered a question about the vaccine. Director Ryan continued with the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Director Ryan referred to slides 35-36 to show an overview of the budget distribution. She gave an overview of the budget requests of CDPHE.

 Director Ryan gave a brief overview of the legislative agenda, regulatory agenda, and required reports.

 

Director Ryan made concluding remarks and answered committee questions.

Representative Lontine recommended CDPHE partner with the Department of Agriculture to help address some of the issues related to food deserts.