DENVER - Today, to celebrate national One Health Day, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance interagency cooperation and information sharing in the spirit of the "One Health" approach. This agreement establishes protocols for a more efficient and effective response to issues at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.

The One Health Initiative recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and ecosystems are closely linked and interdependent. One Health calls for the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.

"Colorado is leading the way in expanding collaborative approaches to health, and this One Health MOU is a great example of just that," said Governor Polis. "Bringing together experts from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Health and Environment, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, we are building a stronger and healthier Colorado for everyone, both human and animal. The nexus between animal health and human health is strong, and by working together we can advance both."

The One Health MOU strengthens the ability of Colorado's leading health, agriculture and wildlife agencies to collaboratively address a wide range of concerns, including zoonotic diseases, foodborne illness outbreaks, and bioterrorism threats.

"This MOU is a critical step forward for Colorado's commitment to One Health," said Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin. "By formalizing the collaboration between state agencies, we can better protect our livestock industry, ensure food safety, and respond swiftly to any health threats that impact our communities and agricultural resources."

The agreement outlines specific protocols for sharing sensitive data while maintaining confidentiality, defining the roles and responsibilities of each agency in responding to public health events, and establishing clear communication channels. It supersedes a previous 2007 agreement between CDA and CDPHE and expands the scope to include CPW and address a broader range of contemporary health challenges.

"The fastest, most effective response to health threats happens when agencies are aligned before a crisis begins, and this agreement gives us the structure to move quickly and in sync when human, animal, or environmental health is at risk," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The MOU details the authorities of each agency, including CDA's role in livestock health, CDPHE's authority in public health, and CPW's responsibility for wildlife management.

"Wildlife plays a central role in the health of Colorado's people and environment," said CPW Director Jeff Davis. "This agreement strengthens our partnerships with CDA and CDPHE, allowing us to share expertise and respond more effectively to emerging health concerns that cross the boundaries between wildlife, livestock, and human communities."

The signing of this MOU underscores Colorado's proactive stance in addressing complex health challenges through a unified, interdisciplinary strategy. The MOU will help streamline responses to potential zoonotic disease outbreaks like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or New World Screwworm, help coordinate efforts during foodborne illness investigations involving agricultural products, and allow the agencies to develop joint strategies for managing wildlife populations that may impact human or livestock health.

The goal with this One Health MOU is to foster proactive data sharing to identify emerging threats earlier, facilitate more efficient deployment of resources during emergencies, and ultimately lead to a more coordinated and effective health and safety infrastructure across the state.

The agencies will review the agreement every two years to ensure its continued effectiveness and adapt to any evolving health landscapes or legal requirements.

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