Garfield County Environmental Health Manager Jannette Whitcomb.

Whitcomb named new Garfield County environmental health manager

PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2022

Jannette Whitcomb has been named Garfield County Public Health’s new environmental health manager. Whitcomb is replacing Joshua Williams, who became the department’s director in January. Whitcomb oversees a staff of five environmental health specialists and program managers specializing in wastewater, consumer protection, air, and water quality.

Whitcomb comes to Garfield County after serving 24 years with the City of Aspen’s Environmental Health Department, where she focused on providing quality programs that empowered the community to improve their health and well-being. Whitcomb has extensive experience in air quality, COVID-19 response and recovery, consumer protection, solid waste, and water quality.

“I am honored to serve alongside the dedicated and compassionate staff in the environmental health department,” said Whitcomb. “They have done exceptional work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as continuing to respond to the community’s environmental health needs. I look forward to supporting our staff in this transition back to our priority environmental programs.”

The Garfield County Environmental Health Department oversees, and in some cases serves as the regulatory authority for programs impacting human health, such as air and water quality programs, consumer protection for childcare, schools and retail food establishments, radon, and onsite wastewater treatment.

“It is important to me that we understand the diversity of challenges our community faces through social, economic, and environmental perspectives,” Whitcomb said. “In doing this, we can implement and promote programs that have a lasting and positive outcome for the community.”

Garfield County Environmental Health programs:
Air quality
Find the current air quality and wildfire smoke-related information. Live air quality monitors show data from across Garfield County.

Water quality and conservation
The department works with middle Colorado water organizations on conservation, water use, education, and safety issues and offers well water testing and safety information.

Food safety and licensing
The consumer protection program provides licenses, classes, and inspections for child care facilities, retail food establishments, and temporary events where food is sold to the public.

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)/septic systems
All new and repaired wastewater treatment systems in Garfield County need to be designed and installed based on Garfield County OWTS regulations.

Radon
Provides information on mitigation and free radon test kits (seasonally, when available). Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that enters buildings from the ground.

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