Governor Polis Signs Wellness Executive Order
Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order this week that puts real teeth behind Colorado's wellness reputation. The order directs most state agencies to promote healthy eating education, expand employee wellness and exercise programs, and push Bike to Work Day into a full Bike to Work Week.
The Department of Transportation is also tasked with identifying opportunities to improve bike lanes and pedestrian access — a move that could reshape how Coloradans build outdoor movement into daily life, especially along the Front Range.
UCHealth Eyes Berthoud Expansion
UCHealth purchased 79 acres along Highway 56 in Berthoud, just west of I-25. The parcel is nearly the same size as their Medical Center of the Rockies campus in Loveland, which sits on about 90 acres. No official plans have been announced, but the acquisition signals a major investment in Northern Colorado's healthcare infrastructure.
For a region where population growth has consistently outpaced medical capacity, this is welcome news. Berthoud and the surrounding communities have been underserved relative to their growth rate for years.
Smoke Season Is Coming — Start Preparing Now
Colorado's air quality is currently moderate, with no significant wildfire smoke expected in the near term. But late May marks the unofficial start of smoke season preparation along the Front Range.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommends bookmarking AirNow's fire and smoke map and having a plan for high-AQI days. Simple steps like keeping windows sealed, running filtered air conditioning, and shifting outdoor exercise to early morning hours can make a meaningful difference when smoke rolls in.
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs. Residents with respiratory sensitivities should consider having N95 masks on hand and an indoor air purifier ready before the first smoke event of the season.