Colorado § 25-1-502 - Definitions.

§ 25-1-502. Definitions.

As used in this part 5, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Agency" means a county or district public health agency established pursuant to section 25-1-506.

(2) "Core public health" shall be defined by the state board and shall include, but need not be limited to, the assessment of health status and health risks, development of policies to protect and promote health, and assurance of the provision of the essential public health services.

(2.3) "County or district board" means a county or district board of health appointed pursuant to section 25-1-508.

(2.5) "Dementia diseases and related disabilities" is a condition where mental ability declines and is severe enough to interfere with an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks. Dementia diseases and related disabilities includes Alzheimer's disease, mixed dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other types of dementia.

(3) "Essential public health services" means to:

(a) Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems;

(b) Investigate and diagnose health problems and health hazards in the community;

(c) Inform, educate, and empower individuals about health issues;

(d) Mobilize public and private sector collaboration and action to identify and solve health problems;

(e) Develop policies, plans, and programs that support individual and community health efforts;

(f) Enforce laws and rules that protect health and promote safety;

(g) Link individuals to needed personal health services and ensure the provision of health care;

(h) Encourage a competent public health workforce;

(i) Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based public health services; and

(j) Contribute to research into insightful and innovative solutions to health problems.

(4) "Medical officer" means a volunteer or paid licensed physician who contracts with or is employed by a county or district public health agency to advise the public health director on medical decisions if the public health director is not a licensed physician.

(5) "Public health" means the prevention of injury, disease, and premature mortality; the promotion of health in the community; and the response to public and environmental health needs and emergencies and is accomplished through the provision of essential public health services.

(6) "Public health agency" means an organization operated by a federal, state, or local government or its designees that acts principally to protect or preserve the public's health. "Public health agency" includes a county public health agency or a district public health agency.

(7) "Public health director" means the administrative and executive head of each county or district public health agency.

(8) "Public health system" means state, county, and district public health agencies and other persons and organizations that provide public health services or promote public health.

(9) "State board" means the state board of health created pursuant to section 25-1-103.

(10) "State department" means the department of public health and environment created pursuant to section 25-1-102.

Source: L. 2008: Entire part R&RE, p. 2031, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2018: (2.5) added, (HB 18-1091), ch. 74, p. 642, § 1, effective August 8. L. 2025: (2.3) added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2075, § 202, effective August 6.