The Ouray County Board unanimously authorized the chair to sign an educational affiliation agreement with the University of Colorado School of Public Health on Aug. 26, approving a partnership designed to bring a master’s‑level practicum student and faculty support to a county‑focused community paramedicine needs assessment.

Paramedic Kat Lichtenbelt and county staff explained the agreement during a presentation, saying the affiliation would let a master of public health student develop and field a robust community survey, analyze results and help identify rural service gaps. Lichtenbelt said the work would be a practicum experience for students while also “helping us to take a look at where we have rural service gaps and how we can fill them creatively.”

Speakers described the affiliation as formalizing a university‑supervised practicum: the university supplies course supervision and student labor, while county EMS and public health would provide local knowledge and access to operational data. Lichtenbelt said San Miguel County public health director Grace Franklin and University faculty including Glenn Mayes have signaled support for the work and that the RSA (Regional Service Authority) has indicated potential financial support for survey platform and data costs.

Commissioners discussed whether the Regional Service Authority or other local entities needed to be co‑signers; staff and county counsel advised the board that the university’s standard affiliation form could list the county as the contracting agency while collaborative partners (RSA, San Miguel County Public Health and county EMS) participate operationally without being signatories. Commissioners clarified the county will not incur any direct cost for the formal affiliation; any future survey, data‑hosting, analysis or travel costs would be the subject of separate funding decisions.

The motion that the board “enthusiastically approve and authorize the chair signature on the educational affiliation agreement between Ouray County and the Colorado School of Public Health” carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the affiliation will allow county EMS and public health to obtain a structured, university‑led needs assessment with student labor and methodological oversight. County leaders said the survey could inform decisions about community paramedicine programs, which proponents say can reduce avoidable 911 calls and improve access for older residents who wish to age in place.