Collaborative Problem Solving in Colorado

Communities facing environmental justice concerns may be disproportionately burdened by numerous stressors. Furthermore, ecologic studies consistently demonstrate that communities of color who are economically disadvantaged experience poor health outcomes relative to the general population. In support of these efforts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several grant programs designed for community groups who are working to ameliorate these detrimental environmental conditions. Rural communities also face the added burden of access to environmental health resources to assess environmental risks. The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) in Alamosa, CO, is the recipient of two EPA grants. The Collaborative Problem Solving Grant brought together businesses, environmental groups, educational institutions, government entities, and public health personnel to discuss the program design. Volunteers attended health fairs in all six Valley counties, and provided educational materials, both Spanish and English. Educational forums took place in thirteen Valley communities in the summer of 2009, discussing various health threats posed from contamination of private household wells. Participants were instructed how to take water samples. The Environmental Justice Small Grants program provided funding so households could receive free water testing. Test results were centralized in a database, and GIS points were used to map each well that was tested. This information forms a baseline to show areas of the Valley that may pose health threats due to water contamination. Materials, including mapping results, are provided to public health care professionals. SLVEC believes that environmental health is the foundation for public health, and this data helps lay that groundwork.