WEST NILE

irty-six cases have been reported to the CDC so far this year, none of them yet in Colorado. However, based on past trends, health o cials in the state believe cases will appear soon.

Last year, Colorado reported 206 total cases and 20 deaths in 2022. Of those, Adams County had 23 cases and 5 deaths, said Adams County En- lion in refunds that should be going back to the citizens.

“Unfortunately it stinks to live in Colorado right now where the ruling majority isn’t really interested in providing meaningful property tax relief.”

Evans said he’d prefer to TABOR as it is and let residents keep getting their refunds.

“My party represents 46% of the voters. We weren’t even allowed to debate this down at the state capitol,” Evans said. “ ese measures came in last week with procedural rules that were implemented down at the state capitol that basically shut o debate. If we can’t debate this, and the governor wants it, and he’s got a supermajority and it’s going to get passed.”

Evans said it would negatively impact folks who did not get to have their voice represented in the legislature since opponents were not given the vironmental Health Division Director Brian Hlavacek.

“We expect we will see some cases [this year],” Hlavacek said. “But we can’t predict the numbers.”

Jaura expects mosquito activity to rise towards the end of July into August. She said the time to take preventative measures is now. ere are countless ways to prevent mosquito populations from growing and spreading the virus, despite the rain this summer.

“Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water and require water to time to argue the point.

“We recommended a two-year timeout, that doesn’t have to go to a vote of the people in November,” Evans said. “ at can be an e ect now and we ignore the 2022 valuation data everybody keeps paying property tax at the same rate they’ve been paying and then folks don’t have to leave the community.”.

Rachel Munoz, with Brighton JnR Insurance, said the state’s current high insurance rates will lead to people leaving the state and or to foreclosures.

“We have had an uninsured motorist problem here in Colorado, and now we’re going to increase that rate to 30% to 60%,” Munoz said. “With these rate increases, what are we doing about it? A lot of money is funneled in from the company but what about the consumer? Legislation seems to be taking the side of the big guy versus us as complete their life cycle,” Jaura said. “Due to the abundance of rain in Colorado, mosquito populations are ourishing.”

Arranging space

To limit mosquito harborage, Jaura said it is important to identify and clear areas where stagnant water could be present:

Remove pet dishes that can hold water from patios and decks Clean and inspect roof gutters Remove piles of debris from outdoor areas, including buckets, barrels, toys and tire consumers.”

Again, Evans said it’s what happens when one party is in charge.

“Right now, in Colorado, there’s one party that’s in control of everything,” he said. “And that party doesn’t sometimes consider those unintended consequences that ultimately raise costs for the end user. “ swings that can hold pools of stagnant water Change water in birdbaths frequently Maintain swimming pools and spas with proper ltration and chlorination levels Limit watering of lawns and outdoor plants to avoid the pooling of water.

He pointed out that Colorado’s crime rates are high.

“We are the number one state in the nation for auto theft, the number two state in the country for cocaine usage, the number two state in the nation for property crimes, the number one state in the nation for package theft o your porch, and he 16th state for violent crimes,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we have groupthink in Colorado because there’s one particular party that’s running everything,” Evans said.

Even with intervention, mosquitoes will still be around. Jaura said residents should also be aware of ways to keep themselves from being bitten.

“Utilizing proper means of preventing mosquito bites is integral in protecting the health of the Adams County community,” Jaura said.