Colorado Department of Agriculture
11/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/03/2026 22:11
Protecting People, Animals, and the Environment: Colorado Observes One Health Day
Colorado is joining nearly a dozen states in celebrating One Health Day on November 3, to advance the goals of the One Health initiative which recognizes that the health of people, animals, plants and the environment are all interconnected.
At the request of the State Veterinarian, Governor Polis signed the proclamation declaring today Colorado One Health Day, which encourages cross-discipline collaboration on issues such as zoonotic and infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance, climate change adaptation, invasive species management, conservation of species at risk and many other challenges.
"Governor Polis's proclamation of Colorado One Health Day highlights the essential connection between animal health, public health, and our shared environment," said Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin. "Embracing a One Health approach allows us to work collaboratively across disciplines to protect our livestock, safeguard public health, and ensure the resilience of our agricultural communities."
One Health Day graphicLast year, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife signed a landmark One Health Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collectively address these challenges.
"CPW is thrilled to be a part of this agreement that strengthens our coordination with CDA and CDPHE," said CPW Director Laura Clellan. "These partnerships will allow us to respond more effectively to emerging health concerns that cross boundaries between wildlife, livestock, and humans."
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.
The 2026 proclamation highlights that the One Health approach fosters collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, public health professionals, environmental scientists, ecologists, and other experts to effectively predict, prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.
"The environments we live in and the animals we share them with directly shape the health and well-being of all Coloradans," said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. "Our landmark One Health memorandum of understanding transformed that connection into coordinated action, breaking down agency silos so our teams can detect emerging threats faster, prevent infectious disease outbreaks, and build a healthier, more resilient Colorado."
One Health Day is celebrated around the world, through global collaborative initiatives, educational events, and community outreach. International organizations, academic institutions, and public health agencies host workshops, symposia, and awareness campaigns to showcase interdisciplinary projects and foster cooperation across borders in addressing shared health challenges.
Through cross-agency collaboration, Colorado's commitment to the One Health approach ensures a healthier, more resilient future by addressing the interconnected well-being of humans, animals, and the ecosystems they share.
Colorado Department of Agriculture published this content on November 03, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 04, 2026 at 04:11 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]