Governor Jared Polis has declared December 1-5, 2025 as Colorado Wastewater Utility Appreciation Week. The proclamation acknowledges the ongoing contributions of wastewater utilities to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) efforts in monitoring infectious disease pathogens through wastewater.
The state’s wastewater surveillance program began in August 2020 to track the spread of COVID-19. Since then, it has expanded to include testing for influenza, RSV, mpox, enterovirus D68, and measles in addition to COVID-19. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized Colorado’s program as a national leader in wastewater surveillance, designating it as a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence—one of only six such centers nationwide.
Two types of utilities participate in the program: sentinel surveillance sites that submit samples twice weekly and cover more than half of Colorado’s population, and emergency surveillance sites that provide samples if rapid public health response is required.
“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,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado State Epidemiologist.
Wastewater surveillance data complements other public health information by helping local partners respond effectively to disease trends. It enables communities across Colorado to make informed decisions based on local data. This method also allows officials to detect viruses within communities even when individuals show no symptoms or have not been tested.
Beyond disease monitoring, wastewater utilities continue their essential role in treating water and protecting waterways for residents throughout Colorado.
For further details about the program, visit the wastewater surveillance program’s webpage.
