Tri-County Health To Lose 2 Counties: Arapahoe Releases Statement

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — Arapahoe County commissioners have released a statement in response to Adams County's plan to leave the Tri-County Health Department.

Adams County commissioners announced Tuesday the resolution, which is set to be presented at a public hearing Oct. 26. The decision comes after Douglas County announced its plan to leave the Tri-County Health Department and form its own agency.

"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," the board said in a statement.

"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."

Eva Henry, Adams County commissioner and board chair, said that Douglas County's decision left her board "no choice but to reevaluate the future of public health services in Adams County."

"As a result, Adams County must determine the best option to move ahead for a health board and services provided to residents."

Under law, Adams County will remain under Tri-County Health until January 2023.

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Douglas County commissioners announced in July their plan to leave Tri-County Health after the agency voted to implement a mandatory mask order. Douglas County officials disagreed with the order, and said it was clear their approach to public health no longer aligned with Tri-County Health's decision-making.

The Douglas County School District is suing the county's new health department. The school district says the new mask rules put medically at-risk students in danger.