The Adams County decision to leave the Tri-County Health Department on Tuesday, Oct. 20 means that Arapahoe County will likely have to create its own public health department as well. After Adams County announced its intentions, the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners released the following statement: 

The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners is saddened that our neighboring counties have chosen to end the productive 55-year partnership with the Tri-County Health Department. Arapahoe County residents will continue to receive all existing Tri-County public health services uninterrupted during the transition. We have already begun to explore future options to continue delivering quality public health services and will begin developing the necessary transition plans as we form our own public health department. The Board intends to do what it can to support the many dedicated employees of Tri-County Health throughout this process.

Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Arapahoe County had been examining potential multi-county public health options with Adams. Residents of Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties will keep receiving all public health services from Tri-County through the end of 2022. The Board will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to determine next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks.