The Douglas County Board of Health on Thursday, March 14, 2024, adopted a 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 – an extension of an interim order put in place last December – 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
“This public health order was initially a proactive measure,” said Michael Hill, Executive Director of the Douglas County Health Department. “By the end of January, Denver had received about 40,000 migrants, and our Board believes – for the preservation of public health, safety and welfare in Douglas County – that this Public Health Order is still necessary in the unlikely event that migrants are placed in Douglas County.”
Earlier this week, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners took two actions to address the local impact of the national migrant crisis. Read more on our webpage.