The Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve cooperation in protecting public, animal, and environmental health. The announcement coincides with national One Health Day.
The One Health approach emphasizes that human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health are interconnected. It encourages collaboration across disciplines at local, national, and global levels to achieve better health outcomes for all.
Governor Polis stated: “Colorado is leading the way in expanding collaborative approaches to health, and this One Health MOU is a great example of just that. Bringing together experts from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Health and Environment, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, we are building a stronger and healthier Colorado for everyone, both human and animal. The nexus between animal health and human health is strong, and by working together we can advance both.”
The new agreement aims to strengthen joint efforts against issues such as zoonotic diseases—those that can spread between animals and people—foodborne illness outbreaks, and bioterrorism threats.
Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin commented: “This MOU is a critical step forward for Colorado’s commitment to One Health. By formalizing the collaboration between state agencies, we can better protect our livestock industry, ensure food safety, and respond swiftly to any health threats that impact our communities and agricultural resources.”
The MOU includes protocols for sharing sensitive data while maintaining confidentiality. It also defines each agency’s roles during public health events and sets up communication channels among them. This agreement replaces an earlier one from 2007 between CDA and CDPHE by including CPW as well as addressing more recent challenges.
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of CDPHE said: “The fastest, most effective response to health threats happens when agencies are aligned before a crisis begins, and this agreement gives us the structure to move quickly and in sync when human, animal or environmental health is at risk.”
Each agency has specific responsibilities under the agreement: CDA focuses on livestock health; CDPHE oversees public health; CPW manages wildlife.
CPW Director Jeff Davis said: “Wildlife plays a central role in the health of Colorado’s people and environment. This agreement strengthens our partnerships with CDA and CDPHE allowing us to share expertise and respond more effectively to emerging health concerns that cross the boundaries between wildlife livestock—and human communities.”
By signing this MOU—the agencies intend to coordinate responses more efficiently during disease outbreaks like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or New World Screwworm incidents; collaborate on investigations involving foodborne illnesses linked with agriculture; develop strategies for managing wildlife populations affecting humans or livestock; facilitate early detection through data sharing; streamline emergency resource deployment; review their processes every two years so they remain effective amid changing conditions.
