OLD-SCHOOL HOLDOUT Need to know the time and temperature? An old standby still exists in the internet age P12
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February 7, 2019
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
County hires new deputy manager
County combats youth vaping, tobacco use Health official open to ideas for how to safeguard young people’s well-being
Eileen Krauth comes with 25 years of local, state government experience BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
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early one in five (17 percent) of adults in Elbert County smoke cigarettes, according to the TriCounty Health Department. Nine out of 10 smokers say they started smoking before the age of 18. And in Colorado’s Health Statistics Region 5, which includes Elbert County, nearly half (49 percent) of high school students report having tried electronic vapor products. Ninety percent of adults who smoke cigarettes started as children or teens, according to Tri-County Health, which partners with Elbert County on some health initiatives. Elbert County officials want to prevent students who try tobacco products and vape products from becoming adults who use them daily, and want community members to know they have dedicated funding and resources to help thwart the
growing use among teens. “Basically, we have grant funding coming from the state of Colorado, generated from the sale of tobacco products,” said Rachel Larsen, Elbert county public health and environment administrator. “Working within the constraints of the grant funding, in Elbert County we are focusing on youth tobacco prevention programs.” Colorado receives funding and technical support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but, according to Larsen, Elbert County citizens have not taken full advantage of the resources. “So far we’ve had two districts who have had a public speaker come in and do a presentation for schools,” said Larsen.“The biggest issues I feel we’re facing with this is we have these dollars available, and the school districts are receptive, but they’re very limited on time.”
STAFF REPORT
Elbert County has named a new deputy county manager. The selection of Eileen Krauth was announced by County Manager Sam Albrecht at the Jan. 23 Elbert Board of County Commissioners meeting. The deputy county manager position expands on the duties previously assigned to the county’s director of administration, a position that has been vacant since early November. Krauth brings more than 25 years of local and state government leadership experience to Elbert County. She is a senior contracting Krauth specialist with the City of Colorado Springs, where she worked in various roles for nearly 16 years, including her most recent position as city council administrator. She also has prior experience in human resources, contract administration, and intergovernmental relations. “We look forward to getting Eileen on board here at the county,” Albrecht said in a news release. “She brings a breadth of experience in local government administration. She is a good fit for our organization and we look forward to working towards the county’s strategic goals with her help and expertise.”
SEE VAPING, P9
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE
SEE MANAGER, P9
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“The Town of Elizabeth and others were concerned about the uses by right, so we just took them out completely.” Grant Thayer, county commissioner | Page 6 INSIDE
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ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 124 | ISSUE 2