Larimer County commissioners proclaim National Library Week, Public Health Week, Crime Victims' Rights Week, Telecommunicators Week and Fair Housing Month

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners adopted five proclamations during its April 8 administrative matters meeting recognizing community observances and sector partners.

The board approved proclamations declaring April 6–12, 2025, as National Library Week; April 7–13, 2025, as National Public Health Week; April 6–12, 2025, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week; April 13–19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; and April 2025 as Fair Housing Month. Each proclamation was moved and passed on voice vote with the board saying “Aye”; the clerk recorded each motion as passing 3 to 0.

Library proclamation: Diane LaPierre, executive director of the Boulder Library District, presented a joint report for libraries in Larimer County and described 2024 highlights including higher visitor counts, expanded summer reading incentives, a new thousand‑books‑before‑kindergarten program and a career online high school scholarship. LaPierre said the libraries’ mission is “to create opportunities and build connections to strengthen our community.” She and leaders from Berthoud, Loveland, Wellington, Poudre Libraries and Red Feather Lakes described local programs such as a plant‑library, a pollinator garden called the Nectary, expanded job and digital navigation services, and partnerships with Homeward Alliance and Colorado State University.

Public health proclamation: Tom Gonzalez, director of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, presented the department’s National Public Health Week activities around the American Public Health Association theme “It starts here. Your health is our mission.” Gonzalez said public health is “considered the invisible shield” and highlighted long‑term gains in child safety and immunization. Senior population epidemiologist Jared Olsen summarized historic declines in child mortality and recent public‑health responses, including local testing and treatment during a statewide rise in congenital syphilis.

Crime victims and telecommunicators proclamations: Emily Humphrey, director of Community Justice Alternatives, urged kinship and victim‑centered services and listed local victim‑support partners. The board noted related community events and a Wednesday evening program at the Lincoln Center. Larimer County communications staff and deputies were recognized for dispatcher work; Larimer County dispatch staff presented statistics and recent examples where dispatchers provided lifesaving CPR instructions and coordinated multi‑agency responses. As Larimer County communications director put it, dispatchers are “the first of first responders.”

Fair Housing Month proclamation: Larimer County’s Office of Housing Stability highlighted Fair Housing Month and the 57th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. Aaliyah Rodriguez, housing stability manager, and Jenny Maeda of Neighbor to Neighbor described local services, Imper ial Estates (an affordable housing property with supportive services) and programs such as HomeShare that reuse existing housing stock.

Votes at a glance: All five proclamations were moved and adopted by voice vote with a 3‑0 tally (Stevens/Shattuck McNally/Kefalas voting in favor). No amendments or formal policy actions were tied to the proclamations.

Ending: Commissioners thanked staff and community partners for outreach and programming. Several speakers emphasized partnerships across the county and the role of libraries, public health, victim services, dispatch, and housing partners in addressing community needs.