Breaking News

The Disaster Assistance Center is now open at the Citizens Service Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Click HERE for Wildfire Public Health Information

As residents return to areas impacted by the Black Forest Fire, they may have concerns related to the safety of their private water wells. Click the link below for more information about water testing services and water testing instructions.

When returning to your home or neighborhood after a wildfire, take steps to protect your heath. Click the link below to read more about how a wildfire can affect your food, water, and air. Cleanup guidance is also available.

 

During and after an emergency, tetanus is a concern for persons with both open and closed wounds, and a tetanus vaccination is recommended for all residents or first responders who have not had a documented dose within the past 5 years. Get vouchers for free tetanus shots at the Disaster Assistance Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd. Walk-in hours are Mon-Fri, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. 

Updates on the Black Forest Fire are available at www.elpasoco.com and on Twitter. You can click on these links to view news feeds: @EPCPublicHealth@EPCSheriff and @EPCPIO on Twitter.

Monitor your local air quality, and if needed, take precautionary steps. If you can see or smell smoke, reduce your exposure by going indoors. People should reduce or limit strenuous outdoor activity if smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment's air quality index reports the daily level of air pollution on an hourly basis.

About El Paso County Public Health

Our mission is to promote and protect public health and environmental quality in the community through people, prevention and partnerships. El Paso County Public Health is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and serves the estimated 622,263 residents of El Paso County and visitors. El Paso County includes the cities and towns of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Calhan, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Monument, Palmer Lake and Ramah. The median age of El Paso County residents, according to the 2010 Census Bureau, was 34. Seventy-two percent of residents are white, 15 percent are Hispanic, 5.8 percent are black, and 7.3 percent are other race and ethnicities.