Latest news with #ColoradoDepartmentofPublicHealth
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Colorado health officials warn of fish contaminated with PFAS or "forever chemicals" in popular lakes
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning people to limit the number of locally caught fish they consume from popular Colorado lakes like Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton, Barr Lake near Brighton, and Runyon Lake near Pueblo. These lakes have all been flagged for high levels of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." Colorado Parks and Wildlife assisted with the study of the chemical levels in fish and told CBS Colorado, it was "so anglers can make informed health decisions for their families," and that there will be signs detailing the advisories placed at the three bodies of water in the coming week. But that didn't help people who were out enjoying the water Saturday. "We ate one not that long ago. So, I would have loved to have known that, then I might have just thrown it back," said Mark McClellan, who frequently fishes at Chatfield Reservoir. Mark McClellan, who fishes at Chatfield Reservoir and often eats what he catches, says he'll reduce the amount of wild-caught fish he eats after findings from Colorado health officials about chemicals found in fishes at popular lakes throughout the state. CBS While some catch and release, McClellan says he typically eats what he catches, and was surprised to hear the fish in the water could contain forever chemicals, which, if exposed to long-term, can cause an increased risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases. According to the state health department's interactive map showing contamination in Colorado lakes, they advise the general public not to eat more than one serving a month of smallmouth bass from Chatfield Reservoir and two servings of walleye. "Walleye is probably the best-eating ones out of here, though," said McClellan. "So that's unfortunate, but I guess I need to limit it." Israel Lopez and his dad are also regulars at Chatfield. They don't typically eat the fish, but he was alarmed to find some were contaminated. "Kind of like, whoa," Lopez said. "I didn't know there were all those chemicals out here in the water." Israel Lopez was alarmed to learn about health warnings from Colorado officials about chemicals detected in fish in several popular lakes throughout the state. CBS Still, the information won't deter him from coming to Chatfield to fish and do what he loves. "Once you catch a fish, when you have them on, you just get this adrenaline rush," Lopez said. "Because you don't always know what you're going to bring up, you know what I mean, how big it is, how heavy. That's why I love it." When asked if they've considered closing any of the popular fishing spots, the state health department told CBS News Colorado, "our focus is on providing people with information so they can enjoy all that Colorado has to offer while reducing their exposure to things that could have negative health effects. The vast majority of our fish advisories don't recommend never eating the fish; instead they recommend limiting the amount of certain fish that you do eat."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Measles case confirmed in vaccinated Coloradan who flew into DIA
DENVER (KDVR) — A Coloradan has been confirmed to be the third person to have measles in connection with an international flight that saw two other passengers contract the virus, one an infectious out-of-state adult and the other a child under five years of age, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health. The person in the newly confirmed case and the child under five are both residents of Arapahoe County, although the department did not disclose if there is a relationship between the two. Cattle rancher being compensated for damage caused by elk The most recent case involves a vaccinated adult who traveled on Turkish Airlines flight 201, which arrived at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, May 13. Arapahoe County health officials are contacting any crew or passengers on the flight who were seated or working in close proximity to the people with measles. A list of locations where someone may have been exposed to measles includes: Casa Vallarta 4002 S. Parker Road, Aurora May 22: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Colorado Athletic Club Denver Tech Center 5555 DTC Parkway, Greenwood Village May 23: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Country Fair Garden Center 7150 Leetsdale Drive #414, Denver May 23: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Golden Saigon Restaurant 2648 S. Parker Road, Unit 2, Aurora May 24: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Comfort Suites Golden West 29300 U.S. Highway 40, Evergreen May 25, 26: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Evergreen Wine and Liquor 29017 Hotel Way #105C, Evergreen May 25: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said that measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious health problems, but it is preventable. The agency said that the MMR vaccine provides strong protection. In rare cases, about three in 100 vaccinated people will be infected by measles, but the vaccine helps to lower the risk of spread and severity of symptoms. Free on Your TV • New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash that usually starts several days later on the face before spreading. More information can be found on the CDPHE website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
