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Pitkin County public-health director outlines 2025 priorities; board presses for wildfire, communication and vaccine planning
Summary
Director Jordana reviewed the board’s 2025 meeting schedule, working agreements and three strategic goals—communications, workforce sustainability and emergency preparedness—and the board discussed wildfire anxiety, evacuation communications and preparing for potential federal policy changes including impacts on vaccination messaging.
Pitkin County Public Health Director Jordana reviewed the Board of Health’s 2025 schedule, working agreements and strategic priorities at the Jan. 16 meeting, and solicited board input on communications, workforce retention and emergency preparedness.
Jordana presented the board’s planned meeting dates (April 17, July 17 and Oct. 9), said the board will set a retreat date later in the year, and asked members to review the agency’s working agreements and sunshine‑law reminders. She outlined three strategic goals carried over from 2024: 1) increase community engagement and trust through evidence‑based communications; 2) sustain and retain an appropriately staffed public‑health team through training and succession planning; and 3) institutionalize COVID‑era learnings into emergency planning and communications.
Board members discussed how public health should address community anxiety about wildfire and evacuation following large Western fires. Several members suggested public‑health messaging focus on mental‑health resources and practical preparedness steps (signing up for county alerts, go‑bags, N95 masks for smoke protection), and to coordinate material with the county emergency manager, fire district staff and other partners so messages do not raise alarm unnecessarily. Staff said they will consider a focused presentation on emergency‑preparedness roles and coordination at a future meeting.
Members also raised concern about falling vaccination rates and the potential for federal policy changes to affect public‑health practice and messaging. Jordana said the county monitors federal and state developments, can produce letters of support or resolutions, and can call special board meetings if a rapid response is needed. Several board members suggested earlier planning and potentially convening the board on short notice after federal policy actions to review local implications.
Jordana closed by asking board members for help with communications such as newspaper columns and said county staff will send meeting notes and follow‑up items to the board.
