The Douglas County Board of Health on Dec. 14, 2023, adopted an interim, countywide Public Health Order setting forth requirements and guidance for any entity that sends migrant persons to Douglas County for sheltering.
The Public Health Order sets expectations for implementing best practices and standards for sheltering of migrant persons to ensure public safety, and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, including requirements and recommendations associated with:
- Public health reporting to the Douglas County Health Department, to address potential and actual communicable disease and emergency situations in Douglas County
- Public health activities to address potential and actual communicable diseases and emergency situations in Douglas County
- Awareness of and compliance with all laws applicable to program and facility activities;
- Performing health screenings of incoming migrant persons upon initial entry into Colorado; and
- Enforcement of the Public Health Order
“At this point, we have no reason to believe that any of our neighboring governments intend to use Douglas County as a sheltering solution for the migrant population. However, the Board of Health believed – for the preservation of public health, safety, and welfare in Douglas County – that we should establish and communicate our expectations proactively,” said Michael Hill, Executive Director of the Douglas County Health Department. Hill also noted that, “our Board believed that we should establish policy now so in the unlikely event that migrants are placed in Douglas County we have notification and processes in place.”
The Order is interim while County Board of Health staff conducts stakeholder outreach to discuss what additional steps should be taken by the County. The interim Public Health Order is effective from the date of adoption on Dec. 14, 2023, until April 2, 2024, and is subject to revision and extension by the Douglas County Board of Health.