BOH Meeting, August 26, 2026
Main Subject
The primary focus of the August 26, 2026 meeting of the Custer County Board of Health was post–Aspen Acres Fire public-health recovery, septic and sanitation workload after the fire, a possible state septic-contractor testing hub in Custer County, communicable-disease and vaccine updates, and a grant-funded request to restore full-time public-health nursing capacity.
Summary
The August 26, 2026 Board of Health meeting, chaired by Lucas Epp, convened at 1:00 p.m. at All Aboard Westcliffe. It was a report-heavy session rather than a long voting agenda. The board approved minutes from May 27, 2026, then heard the sanitation report and a lengthy public-health briefing from Director Sara Bertelsen. Sanitation reported 42 septic inspections and 32 permits last quarter (including 8 repairs and 3 modifications), one vault variance, and a drop of 38 permits versus the same quarter a year earlier. Updated OWTS rules are now in use after state approval. Staff are weighing whether Custer County should become a local hub for state septic-contractor testing ($50 if already state-certified; $75 test including study materials). Fire-area septic work is being handled case-by-case only after debris removal and flood mitigation. Public Health reported one rabid bat near Valley View Road on July 27, eight bats tested this season, one June salmonella case, no local measles outbreak, 107 clients and 138 vaccine doses since May (including 46 free Tdap shots for fire evacuees), distribution of 695 masks and 60 air purifiers, and a request for about $42,000 in rural-transformation funding to convert a part-time nurse case-manager role into a grant-funded full-time public-health nurse. Tobacco-control funding rose to about $23,000.
Key Points
Opening & Administrative Business
- Lucas Epp called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.; Pledge followed.
- No agenda amendments.
- Minutes of the May 27, 2026 Board of Health meeting were approved.
Sanitation / Environmental Health
- Last quarter: 42 septic inspections and 32 permits (8 repairs, 3 modifications), plus one vault variance.
- Permits down 38 compared with the second quarter of the prior year.
- County OWTS regulations are state-approved and now in use. Contractor tests are being aligned with Regulation 43.
- Possible local testing hub so contractors do not have to travel: $50 registration if already state-certified; $75 for the test including books.
- Aspen Acres Fire: water-testing kits still going out. Septic inspections wait until a site is ready to rebuild. Residents forward CDPHE debris-removal permits to the county office.
- Joint field-inspector hire (assessor + sanitation): five applicants, interview the following week.
Public Health Report
- Rabies: one positive bat July 27 near Valley View Road. Eight bats tested this season; no additional positives. Protocol: gloves, sealed container, refrigerate (do not freeze). Call 719-783-3369 or Sara Bertelsen at 719-371-7515.
- One salmonella case in June; statewide outbreak under investigation. National measles counts remain high; no recent local outbreak.
- Vaccines: 107 clients, 138 doses since May, including 46 free Tdap shots for fire evacuees. Shingrix available for eligible adults.
- Fire aftercare: shelter/disaster support, water kits, PPE, 695 masks, 60 air purifiers. After-action reviews and a re-entry guide are in progress.
- Substance-abuse block grant ended; leftover gear still at Hermit Park Field, office, and library. Positive Pathways continues on regional funding.
- Tobacco control up about $23,000. Schools using a Second Chance education approach. Strong Start training for pregnant women continues.
- CPR: 20 certified since May. Support letter for 56 AEDs, about 30 for county buildings. Units described as roughly $1,000 each pending a firm quote.
- Maternal-child: 82 sports physicals after the fires. Traveling Smiles dental in November. Birth/breastfeeding classes moved to October at Lighthouse Pregnancy Center.
- Outreach: Silver Cliff Family Fun Day August 29, flu clinics, senior fair September 2.
- Staffing: ~$42,000 rural-transformation grant request to restore a full-time public-health nurse without hitting the general fund. Office has gone two years without replacing lost nursing capacity.
- Downtown smoke-free complaints; updated signs being sourced with Fremont County.
Public Comment
- Drought-related bear pressure: about 1,100 calls and hunting permits issued.
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors senior program promoted.
- Meeting adjourned after reports. Formal recorded vote was approval of the May minutes.
Summarized Transcription
Chair Lucas Epp opened at 1:00 p.m. at All Aboard Westcliffe. May 27 minutes approved. Sanitation described a slower permit quarter, new OWTS rules in force, a possible in-county contractor testing hub, and fire-area septics sequenced behind debris and flood work. Sara Bertelsen then covered disease surveillance, fire aftercare, vaccines, tobacco and substance programs, AEDs/CPR, maternal-child services, and the grant request to restore a full-time nurse. Public comment touched bears and senior neighbor-help. This was mainly an information session.
