0B952E471454736F872584F60071F6B6 Hearing Summary

Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), presented for the SMART Act Hearing and distributed a handout (Attachment C). She discussed the mission and vision of CDPHE, organizational structure, and its budget and funding sources. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed the different divisions within CDPHE and presented on the department's Wildly Important Goals (WIGs).

Mr. John Putnam, CDPHE, responded to questions about where air quality measurements are taken and how regulations are tailored to specific locations. He responded to a question about the impact of emissions from neighboring states to air quality monitoring.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed the WIG of improving air quality.  She discussed rulemaking to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and methane emissions. She discussed the plan for reducing ozone levels related to new regulatory actions.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed the WIG of increasing childhood immunizations. She discussed successes towards the goal of increasing measles vaccination. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan responded to questions about the information included in CDPHE's new immunization information campaign. She responded to questions about herd-immunity, waning vaccine effectiveness, and the difference in vaccination rates from 2018 to 2019. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed why CDPHE needed more funding to increase Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination rates. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed strategies local public health departments were taking to increase MMR immunization rates.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed the third WIG of reducing obesity rates. She discussed the reasons for the obesity rate increase, including increase in portion sizes and increase in sugar consumption and obesity reduction strategies.

She presented on the last WIG of reducing the suicide rate. She discussed the collaborative effort among state departments to meet this goal, and presented data on the resources directed towards youth suicide prevention versus, and responded to a question about the "Man Therapy" initiative. Committee discussion and questions followed about the use of governmental agencies for mental health resources and using other community gatekeepers to reach the public. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed some of the root causes of suicide and discussed the importance of security and connectivity to mental health.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan responded to a question about the challenges veterans face accessing mental health services.  Ms. Hunsaker Ryan continued discussing suicide prevention measures, including wrap-around services for those discharged from hospitals and increasing the safe storage of guns.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed other priority issues for CDPHE including vaping and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals.  She mentioned that CDPHE has launched a youth focused website to address vaping, and discussed the emerging contaminant of PFAS chemicals, used in firefighting foam, and the health impacts from this chemical. CDPHE has been conducting testing for PFAS and notifying water providers about the ability to test for this chemical. CDPHE wants to test water systems and break the chain of contamination when it is found in an elevated level.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan discussed legislative priorities for CDPHE including allowing the department to promulgate rules related to PFAS and to have legislative clarity around landfill enforcement.  Ms. Hunsaker Ryan went through the regulatory agenda for CDPHE from 2019 including newborn hearing screening, zero emission vehicles, and medical marijuana registry. She then discussed the 2020 legislative outlook including revisiting the regional state improvement plan regarding ozone, greenhouse gas monitoring, and advance medical directives.

Ms. Hunsaker Ryan provided a statutory update on the newborn screening panel. Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy was added to the newborn screening panel. Ms. Hunsaker Ryan concluded by summarizing the CDPHE operating principle.