Governor Jared Polis has declared December 1-5, 2025, as Colorado Wastewater Utility Appreciation Week to acknowledge the ongoing contributions of wastewater utilities in supporting the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s efforts to monitor infectious disease pathogens through wastewater surveillance.
The surveillance program began in August 2020 with a focus on tracking COVID-19 across the state. Since then, it has expanded its testing scope to include 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 by naming it a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence—one of only six such centers nationwide.
Two categories of utilities participate in the program: sentinel surveillance sites that provide samples twice each week and represent more than half of Colorado’s population, and emergency surveillance sites that collect samples when rapid public health response is needed.
“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 sources by enabling local partners to respond quickly to changing disease trends. This type of data can also help officials detect viruses circulating within communities even when individuals show no symptoms or do not seek testing.
In addition to their role in monitoring disease, wastewater utilities continue their essential function by treating sewage and protecting waterways throughout Colorado.
More details about the state’s wastewater surveillance efforts are available on the program’s official webpage.
