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Montezuma County Public Health reports measles surveillance, paused fentanyl test‑strip ordering and outlines 5‑year health plan process
Summary
Public health staff gave an update Oct. 7 on communicable diseases (measles, COVID, flu), local distributions of Narcan and test strips, a pause in test‑strip ordering due to funding changes, WIC contingency plans for a federal shutdown, an upcoming county employee flu clinic and progress on a five‑year public health improvement plan.
Montezuma County Public Health reported Oct. 7 that measles remains a concern nationally and in Colorado, that COVID and influenza are present in the community, and that the county's ability to order additional fentanyl test strips is paused due to a change in funding.
"Just as far as COVID goes, yes, there's COVID in the community. Yes, there's flu in the community," said Bobby Locke, director of Montezuma County Public Health, during the Board of Health meeting. Locke updated the board on communicable disease activity and local prevention work, including an employee flu clinic scheduled for Oct. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. "The clinic is Wednesday, October 22 from 08:30 to 12:30. And this is for county employees only," he said.
Locke said the measles situation remains part of broader regional surveillance: "As of 09/30/2025, the national numbers is 15 44 confirmed cases. 27 cases in the state of Colorado." He noted that New Mexico and Texas appear to be slowing and that Arizona was still experiencing cases in late September.
On substance‑exposure response, Locke told the board the department has distributed Narcan kits and test‑strip supplies but that further ordering is paused. "Our fentanyl test strips, we've given out 80 Narcan kits. We've given out a 141," he said, and added: "I did just get noticed today that the funding for the fentanyl test strips, was funded by House Bill 22‑1326 and the state opioid dollars. The house bill expired on June 30 and so therefore the state dollars is the only thing that would be funding it and the state has put it on pause. So we have no ability to order more fentanyl test strips at this time." He said the department will notify the public if ordering resumes.
Locke also reported 22 animal‑bite cases in the last quarter and said plague had been reported in a neighboring county but not in Montezuma County; the department is distributing educational materials through its public information channels and coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Board members asked about the potential impact of a federal government shutdown on county programs. Locke said the WIC program could be affected long term, but "the state of Colorado planned for such a thing, and they have some money that's basically gonna carry the most of October for our clients on WIC to continue to receive benefits for the month of October." He cautioned that impacts beyond October would depend on whether broader funding resumes.
Locke told the board he expected to receive a DocuSign in mid‑November restoring a 25 percent cut to the county's emergency preparedness and response budget. "We should be getting a DocuSign in mid November for that additional 25% of the budget," he said, noting the department had not yet seen the paperwork.
Public health planner Katie Maxwell reported progress on the department's five‑year public health improvement plan (PHIP/FIP). "We are working on our 5 year strategic plan, which is called the public health improvement plan or the FIP," Maxwell said. She summarized a recent half‑day community meeting, attended by about 22 people, that focused on three priority areas the department and advisory committee identified from a local survey and external data: substance use, mental health and food insecurity. Maxwell said facilitators will compile meeting input into proposed goals and evaluation measures and that staff hope to present a completed plan for board approval in early 2026.
Commissioner Lindsay pressed for clarity on measurable targets and baselines. "So is it ... what is that baseline? ... What is our goal? What are we trying to achieve at the end of the day?" Lindsay asked. Maxwell and other staff said the advisory committee will propose measurable goals and evaluation measures as the plan is developed; Maxwell cited an example from the county suicide prevention program that uses a percentage‑reduction target.
Locke said staff will continue outreach and that the department and hospital partners are planning a public health fair in spring 2026, with lab services and prevention resources expected to be offered.
No formal actions or budget authorizations were taken at the Oct. 7 meeting on these items; staff reported status updates and next steps for outreach, program operations and the PHIP process.
