The Weld County Board of Commissioners has approved a grant application and workplan from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) for a High-Impact Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention Program. The decision was made with a majority vote of four to one and will enhance HIV prevention efforts in Weld County, which currently ranks among the top six counties in Colorado for new HIV diagnoses according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
In 2023, Weld County provided HIV testing and education to numerous individuals, focusing on connecting those who test positive with treatment and ongoing support programs. The grant funds will allow the county to continue its reach and impact, particularly among vulnerable communities, through a combination of routine opt-out screening, community outreach, and a new mobile medical unit expected to launch in the summer of 2025.
“We are committed to reducing the incidence of HIV in Weld County,” said Jason Chessher, Executive Director of WCDPHE. “This grant will provide resources to connect those who are HIV positive with treatment and continued support reducing the risk and prevalence of HIV while improving overall public health outcomes in the community.”
The grant funding, which comes from CDPHE, is estimated to range from $30,000 to $50,000 annually over five years and will support several key activities including HIV testing, and linkage to care services targeting high-risk populations. The anticipated start date for the grant is August 1, 2024, and it will run until May 31, 2029.
For more information on HIV prevention or Weld County Public Health Services, please contact WCDPHE at 970-400-6410 or visit weldhealth.org.
