Governor Jared Polis has declared December 1-5, 2025 as Colorado Wastewater Utility Appreciation Week. The proclamation recognizes the ongoing contributions of wastewater utilities in supporting the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s efforts to monitor trends in infectious disease pathogens through wastewater surveillance.
The state’s wastewater monitoring program began in August 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has expanded to test for additional pathogens including influenza, RSV, mpox, enterovirus D68, and measles, alongside COVID-19. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized Colorado’s program as a national leader by designating it as a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence—one of only six such centers in the country.
Two types of utilities participate in the surveillance program: sentinel sites that submit samples twice weekly and cover more than half of Colorado’s population, and emergency surveillance sites that collect samples when rapid public health response is required.
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado State Epidemiologist, said: “This declaration stands as a testament to wastewater utilities that are at the forefront of community health protection, submitting samples in a timely and reliable manner that allow the Colorado Wastewater Surveillance Program to track disease trends and emerging pathogens supporting timely public health decisions. We are grateful for their partnership and dedication to public health.”
Wastewater data helps local public health agencies respond effectively to disease trends by providing information even when individuals are asymptomatic or have not been tested. This data is used together with other public health sources to guide decision-making at both local and state levels.
In addition to disease monitoring efforts, wastewater utilities provide essential services by treating sewage and protecting water resources for Coloradans.
More information about the state’s wastewater surveillance initiative can be found on its official webpage.
