GOV. RITTER APPLAUDS TRI-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR RECEIVING $10.5 MILLION AS PART OF RECOVERY ACT PREVENTION AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE

Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated Tri-County Health Department for being awarded a national grant of $10.5 million to support healthy eating and physical activity in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties . This grant is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, which was presented by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at an announcement in Washington , D.C. on March 19, 2010.


“ Colorado remains one of the leanest states in the nation, but rates of obesity are on the rise, so this grant will help to keep us healthy,” said Gov. Ritter. “Tri-County Health Department serves 25% of the state’s population and their work on this grant will have broad impact on Coloradans’ health.”

Tri-County Health Department will focus on policy, systems and environmental changes that promote healthy eating and physical activity. Approximately 70 percent of the two-year $10.5 million award will be directed to school districts, municipalities and other community organizations working on these efforts in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties .