Climate and Health Resources:
COLORADO
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Climate change poses risks to human health. Already in the United States, we are seeing rising
temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather, sea level rise, and
other changes in weather and climate patterns. We are all vulnerable to the health impacts associated
with climate change. However, these climate and health risks vary across the country.
Most of Colorado has warmed 1°F or 2°F in the last century. This and other climate impacts mean
increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Colorado residents include:
-	Large wildfires are occurring more often, and wildfire seasons are lasting longer. This increases
health risks such as those related to smoke inhalation and evacuations. Learn how you can take
action to protect against wildfires, such as:
o Prepare: Keep your air-conditioning filter clean, and close the unit's fresh air intake.
o Respond: Check local news and reports for information on air quality, visibility, and
evacuation orders.
-	More floods will occur in some mountain watersheds. Floods, like the 2013 Colorado Front
Range Flood, can lead to illness, injury, and deaths. Learn how you can take action to protect
against floods, such as:
o Prepare: Ask someone out-of-state to act as a "family contact" in case your family is
separated.
o Respond: Avoid driving or walking in or near flood waters, even after the flood or during
cleanup.
-	The Southwest is likely to face more frequent and intense droughts. Droughts limit the
availability and quality of drinking water. Learn how you can take action to protect against
droughts, such as:
o Prepare: Reduce water use. For example, use low-flow faucets.
o Prepare: Be aware that droughts may reduce the quality of drinking water from private
wells.
Learn more in the USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment.
The examples of risks and actions provided in this document are not a comprehensive list. They
provide users with illustrative impacts and resources for further information. Examples were
selected based on relevance to the state or region and representation of a diversity of health
threats. Selection does not imply ranking of severity of impacts nor prioritization of actions. The
examples of impacts are based on "The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the
United States: A Scientific Assessment," available at https://health2016.globalchange.gov. as well
as the National Climate Assessment at http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
June 2016

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RESOURCES FOR COLORADO RESIDENTS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn more: What Climate Change Means for
Colorado
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

Learn more: National Climate Assessment:
Southwest
U.S. Global Change
Research Program. 2014.

Explore Actions: Colorado Climate Preparedness
Project Final Report, 2011 Includes Health Concerns
for: Extreme Heat, Drought
State of Colorado

Explore Actions: Colorado Climate Plan: State Level
Policies and Strategies to Mitigate and Adapt, 2015
Includes Health Concerns for: Air Quality, Vector-
Borne Disease, Emergencies and Disasters
State of Colorado

Explore Actions: Citv and Countv of Denver,
Colorado Climate Adaptation Plan
City of Denver, Denver
County, Denver
Department of
Environmental Health.
June 2014.

Explore Actions: Boulder Countv Climate Change
Preparedness Plan
Boulder County
Commissioner's
Sustainability Office.
May 2012.

Find Resources: EPA Region 8 (Mountains and
Plains)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment
State of Colorado

Find Resources: Colorado Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Management
State of Colorado
June 2016

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