Colorado Research Articles

Centering and uplifting youth voice in planning for a more resilient climate future in rural Colorado: a case study of a student resilience team asking for change

Rural communities are increasingly facing challenges from climate-related natural hazards such as drought, wildfire, and flood. These cascading hazards threaten social, emotional, physical, and economic well-being, and pose unique challenges to rural areas which may already struggle to find enough resources. Yet, rural areas are rich in social capital, creativity, and resilience, and future leaders are learning how to build agency and increase their community’s resilience in school settings. Students in Estes Park, Colorado, have experienced major climate-fueled hazards in their lifetimes, surviving the floods in 2013 and the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak wildfires in 2020. At Estes Park Middle School, the Environmental Resilience Team (ERT) is an afterschool group of students who are actively participating in promoting public awareness, mitigation, and policy-making to increase resilience to natural hazards. Supported by the Hazard, Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force (HEART Force) Program, a comprehensive curriculum that immerses students in the study of their community’s resilience to floods and fires, in conjunction with the Earth Force Environmental Civic Action resources, students and educators gained the tools needed to spearhead community discussions on resilience, all while striving to mitigate and minimize future risks. In this paper, we tell the story of the Environmental Resilience Team’s campaign to pass statewide legislation to implement Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Building Codes in high-risk areas. Students visited the Colorado State Capitol, met with their State Senator and Governor to lobby for the passage of the bill. This initiative builds upon years of action projects, including service projects to mitigate fire risk in vulnerable populations within the mountain town of Estes Park and build community education and awareness through the distribution of “go-bags” to community members. By including youth voice in public decision-making and planning for climate resilience, community leaders and policymakers can develop more holistic plans that include multigenerational input. This research is part of a broader study across implementations of HEART Force in several classrooms that showed that the HEART Force program helped students develop a sense of agency and grow in their understanding of community resilience.

5066 Evolution And Evaluation Of A Longitudinal ECHO Program In Transgender Health

Abstract Disclosure: M.S. Rothman: None. A. Chippone: None. A. Clark: None. D. Saxon: None. D. Miller: None. K. Young: None. S.J. Iwamoto: None. Background: Providers often report a lack of training in the care of transgender and gender diverse(TGD) patients. Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes(ECHO) programs have been developed around the world as a form of tele-mentoring. As gender-affirming care bans rise in the US, it is crucial for providers to have access to education in TGD patient health. ECHO Colorado(CO) launched “Comprehensive Care for Transgender Patients” in 2020 as an ongoing live monthly series for providers interested in improving care for TGD patients. Design/Methods: 40 sessions were held between 2/2020-9/2023. Topics spanned mental health, medical, and surgical care with didactic presentations followed by case discussions. Demographic data was collected at registration via Connect, an online portal, and evaluations were conducted quarterly using Qualtrics. Not all questions were required. Participants attending at least one session in the quarter were eligible to complete the survey. With multiple responses, the most recent survey was used in the analysis. Results: 257 individuals participated in at least one session. 164/255 (64.3%) respondents identified as clinical health care providers. The majority of the remainder identified as: behavior health professional(n=28), other(n=23) or health outreach/admin(n=17). Most participants (79.4%) practice in CO and the majority provide direct care for underserved populations. 110 attendees responded to at least one survey. 96% of all participants reported improved understanding of the subject matter. Of the prescribing providers, 80%(60/75) rated themselves as comfortable with continuing and 68%(51/75) were comfortable with initiating hormone therapy. In the most recent quarter, participants were asked to self-report levels of professional isolation before and after the series. 30%(8/27) reported feeling very or extremely isolated prior, while none(0/27) reported this since participating. Common barriers reported were obstacles to implementing care and scheduling conflicts preventing attendance. Conclusion: Participants with a variety of backgrounds are highly satisfied with this longitudinal program. ECHO learning may combat feelings of professional isolation. The majority of providers report comfort with initiating and providing hormone therapy, but future efforts should seek ways to improve comfort, competency and examine asynchronous educational opportunities. Interest from attendees outside of CO supports a need for a national collaborative of TGD focused ECHOs. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Dog owners' perceptions and veterinary-related decisions pertaining to changes in their dog's behavior that could indicate pain.

Assess dog owners' concern levels and veterinary care decisions pertaining to behaviors that might signify pain before and after receiving brief pain-related educational information. Additionally, evaluate dog owners' perceptions of a modified version of the Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale to identify their dog's pain level, determine whether they should take their dog to the veterinarian, and describe their dog's pain to their veterinarian. 367 survey respondents who resided in the US and were the primary caretaker of at least 1 dog. An electronic survey was created in Qualtrics and distributed via Prolific. Data were analyzed. When assessing differences between participants' concern levels before and after educational pain-related information, significant differences were found for 2 of the 3 scenarios. Significant differences were also found between participants' veterinary-related behaviors before and after educational pain-related information for all 3 scenarios. The most common reasons for not seeking immediate veterinary care included elements related to cost, convenience, and dog-related stress during veterinary visits. Most participants reported finding the Canine Acute Pain Scale useful for identifying their dog's pain level (89%), determining whether they should take their dog to the veterinarian (84%), and describing their dog's pain to their veterinarian (89%). Owners' interpretations of and subsequent actions (or inactions) to behaviors that might suggest pain carry great implications for companion animals' overall well-being. Following exposure to brief educational material about signs and symptoms of canine pain, owners in our study reported significant increases in stated concern related to their dog's change in behavior and intention to seek veterinary care. These findings suggest that even very brief pain-related educational material can have a positive impact on owners' perceptions of canine behavioral changes and increase the possibility that they will seek veterinary care.

A Statewide Program to Test and Reduce Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Cares.

A lead testing act was passed in Colorado mandating that all licensed child care facilities and public schools serving fifth grade and lower test all drinking water locations for lead by May 31, 2023. Colorado's Water Quality Control Division created the Test & Fix Water for Kids program to implement this act. Aspects of the program included establishing a database, outreach and education, technical assistance, lead analyses at the Colorado State Laboratory, remediation, and reimbursement. Of a total of 6000 licensed child care providers and public elementary schools, 4500 entities enrolled and tested 53 000 water samples for lead at drinking water fixtures. Testing results showed that 93% (46 000 total) of the fixtures tested were below the 5 parts per billion (ppb) action level. As a result, 7% (3700) of the fixtures tested were above the action level. Of the fixtures that tested above 5 ppb, 47% were classroom faucets. Many of these faucets had not been used since COVID-19 when several schools switched to using bottle fillers. The program identified all fixtures associated with low usage as well as older fixtures to be replaced with lead-free options to reduce lead levels below 5 ppb. Almost 600 000 children have been protected from potential exposure to lead in drinking water through this program. This article outlines the methods of launching a statewide lead testing program and the importance of testing fixtures for lead in drinking water in early childhood education buildings.

Behaviors suggestive of pain: the perceptions and veterinary-related decisions of cat guardians in the USA.

The aim of the study was to assess cat guardians' concern levels and veterinary care decisions pertaining to behaviors that might signify pain before and after receiving brief pain-related educational information. The secondary aims were to evaluate cat guardians' perceptions of the usefulness of a modified version of the Colorado State University Feline Acute Pain Scale (CSU-FAPS) in identifying their cat's pain level, determining if they should take their cat to the veterinarian and describing their cat's pain to their veterinarian. Participants were recruited through Prolific. An electronic survey was created in Qualtrics and distributed via a link offered in Prolific. A total of 362 surveys were completed by participants who resided in the USA and were the primary caretaker of at least one cat. Significant differences between participants' concern levels before and after pain-related educational information were found for two of the three scenarios. Significant differences were found between participants' veterinary-related behavior choices before and after pain-related educational information for all three scenarios. The most common reasons for not seeking immediate veterinary care included elements related to cost and stress for guardian and cat during veterinary visits. The majority of participants reported finding the CSU-FAPS useful for identifying their cat's pain level (90%), determining if they should take their cat to the veterinarian (86%) and describing their cat's pain to their veterinarian (92%). Guardians' interpretations of and subsequent actions to behaviors that might suggest pain carry great implications for feline health and wellbeing. After exposure to brief pain-related educational material, guardians in our study reported significant increases in stated concern related to their cat's change in behavior and intention to seek veterinary care. These findings suggest that even very brief pain-related educational material can have a positive impact on cat guardians' perceptions of feline behavior changes and increase the possibility they obtain appropriate veterinary care.

PSI-23 Growth implants can decrease enteric methane emissions intensity from finishing beef cattle

Abstract Growth promotants are a useful tool in cattle production to improve their environmental impact by decreasing emissions per unit of gain and increasing overall feed efficiency. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between enteric methane emissions, feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency of implanted and nonimplanted finishing steers. Cattle (n = 62) were housed at the Climate Smart Research pens at Colorado State University and blocked by body weight (BW) into two pens and randomly assigned to treatment. Each pen was equipped with GreenFeed automated head chambers and SmartFeed feed intake measurement (C-Lock, Rapids City, SD). The study was a completely randomized block design. Animals within each block were then randomly assigned a treatment: implanted with Component TE200 (IMP; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) or not implanted (CON). Enteric emissions, dry matter feed intake, BW, and BW gain (ADG) were collected from each individual animal from the light and heavy blocks for 80 and 52 d, respectively. Data were analyzed in JMP Pro with the linear model function and significance was declared a P ≤ 0.05. IMP cattle had a greater average ADG (2.40 kg/d vs 1.77 kg/d, P < 0.0001) compared with CON cattle. A difference was observed in total methane (CH4) emissions between treatments (200.83 g CH4/d IMP and 187.45 g CH4/d CON, P = 0.02). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not different between treatments (P = 0.17). Methane emissions intensity for each treatment was 84.89 (IMP) and 106.90 g/kg of ADG (CON) was different (P = 0.0002), while CH4 yield (CH4 per kg of DMI) was not different (P = 0.12). Overall feed efficiency between treatments resulted in IMP animals having a greater feed efficiency (4.74 kg DM/kg ADG) compared with CON animals (6.32 kg DM/kg ADG, P < 0.0001). In summary, growth promotants decrease CH4 emissions intensity in finishing steers and increase animal feed efficiency without affecting daily DMI.

343 The relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure phenotypes and oxygen consumption in beef cattle

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if a phenotypic relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and oxygen consumption exists in beef cattle. Pulmonary arterial pressure is used as an indicator of pulmonary hypertension in cattle which is indicative of the susceptibility to both high-altitude disease and feedlot heart failure of an individual. Cattle with greater PAP are typically hypoxic and have initiated expression of compensatory mechanisms their cardio-pulmonary systems employ to combat this alveolar hypoxia. In turn, this causes an increase in PAP and, ultimately, right-sided heart failure. If hypoxic individuals consume more oxygen as a compensation mechanism, oxygen consumption as a trait could be used as an indicator of the prediction of PAP and feedlot heart failure and would be especially useful for cattle in deep phenotyping systems. Data used in the study included cattle with PAP measures on a total of 132 individuals. The data consisted of both steers (n = 99) and heifers (n = 33) from a ranch located in southern Wyoming at an elevation of approximately 2,195 m. After weaning on the ranch, cattle were transported to Colorado State University’s Agriculture Research, Development and Education Center located in Fort Collins, CO (elevation: 1,558 m). Oxygen consumption was measured using a Greenfeed system (C-Lock, Rapid City, South Dakota). To determine if a relationship exists between oxygen consumption and PAP, a simple linear regression model was used to regress PAP on average daily oxygen consumption. Effects included in the model were sex and phenotypic PAP. Average daily oxygen consumption was measured in kilograms per day and averaged 6.6 ± 1.66 kg with a range of 2.3 to 10.45 kg. Pulmonary arterial pressure averaged 42.6 ± 7.96 mm Hg and ranged from 33 to 81 mm Hg. In this data, sex did not account for a significant amount of variability in phenotypic PAP (P > 0.05). Oxygen consumption did account for a significant amount of variability in PAP (P < 0.05), and it was found that with every 1 kg increase of oxygen consumption, PAP is estimated to increase 1.02 mm Hg. These results indicate that a statistical relationship between oxygen consumption and PAP exists. Although these findings suggest that greater oxygen consumption leads to greater PAP, further research is required to fully comprehend the relationship between beef cattle PAP and oxygen consumption.

Calm Before the Storm?

Atlantic hurricane season poses an annual threat to the billions of dollars of oil and gas hardware pumping hydrocarbons from the depths of the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The region’s offshore production amounts to about 1.8 million B/D—roughly 14% of the total crude output in the US, according to the US Energy Information Administration, so any disruption is felt by oil markets across the globe. Prior to the 2024 hurricane season, forecasters pegged this year as primed to be particularly intense. Colorado State University (CSU), known for its storm prognostication, estimated that the basin would experience 23 named storms, with a dozen of those becoming hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and six of those strengthening to major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher). Similarly, AccuWeather meteorologists expect between 20 and 25 named storms with a possibility of 30 or more. As the season enters its busy period, the basin has only experienced five named storms to date; however, many forecasters are sticking to their initial forecasts and continue to warn of an intense September/October period. “The months of September and October should be very active across the Atlantic,” said AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva. “We continue to remain very concerned about rapid intensification. Sea-surface temperatures and ocean heat content are near record levels across most of the Atlantic basin. This can act like jet fuel for tropical systems. We also continue to believe that La Niña will emerge sometime in November. When water temperatures near the equator of the eastern Pacific Ocean are lower than the long-term historical averages for an extended period, La Niña is declared. Although this is a phenomenon in the Pacific, it has ramifications for weather patterns over the Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, La Niña can reduce the wind shear across the basin. When wind shear is lower, it makes it easier for tropical systems to take shape and strengthen.” The GOM has experienced one disruption in 2024 courtesy of Hurricane Beryl. Once a Category 5 storm (winds 155 mph and higher)—and the earliest-forming Category 5 storm on record—Beryl weakened as it crossed the southern Yucatán. The storm regained Category 1 strength as it crossed the far western offshore oil patch enroute to landfall near Matagorda Bay, Texas. Shell shut in production at its Perdido spar because of the storm as well as evacuated personnel from it and its Whale facility. Chevron moved all non-essential personnel off its Anchor floating production unit, which was undergoing commissioning at the time. The last major storm to cut a path straight through the heart of the US offshore oil patch was 2021’s Hurricane Ida. Ida tore through the region as a Category 4 storm before slamming into the Louisiana coast near Port Fourchon packing 150 mph winds on 29 August. The storm prompted the shut in of almost 100% of the Gulf’s oil and gas production and caused extensive damage to major hubs in the region, including the Shell-operated West Delta Block 143 complex. The facilities, which serve as the transfer station for production from Shell’s robust Mars corridor, were off line for several months.

Cold Region River Flood Mapping and Scour Potential Prediction: Insights from Hydraulic Model Using Advanced Autonomous Surface Vehicles

This study aimed to map the 2022 flood with a 16.5-year return period near a bridge on the Red River, close to Grafton City, North Dakota, and evaluate the scour potential around the bridge. The Red River Basin (RRB) near Grand Forks, ND, and Emerson, ND, is a cold region river vulnerable to floods. Local scouring around bridge piers during floods can lead to hydraulic structure failure. An Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) equipped with LiDAR DEM data from the ND DWR’s LiDAR dataset was used to collect comprehensive bathymetry and discharge data, including the 2022 flood. The HEC-RAS model was used to create flood maps, and the Colorado State University (CSU) methodology was employed to assess local scour around the bridge pier. The study area recorded maximum velocities of 1.71 m/s, 1.87 m/s, and 1.56 m/s for discharge values of 368 m3/s, 784 m3/s, and 1335 m3/s, respectively, with higher velocities recorded upstream of the bridge. The maximum water depth reached 13.14 m during the peak discharge of 1335 m3/s. Higher discharge resulted in increased Froude number and contraction scour depth, with the latter continuing to increase even when the Froude number decreased as water reached the bridge deck. The study highlights the effectiveness of integrating ASVs, bathymetry, and LiDAR data to comprehensively understand flood dynamics and bridge scour in cold region rivers, offering the way for the development of effective flood control measures and strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Platelet-Rich Plasma and Related Orthobiologics for the Treatment of Equine Musculoskeletal Disorders-A Bibliometric Analysis from 2000 to 2024.

(1) Background: There is increasing interest in the use of platelet-rich plasma and related orthobiologics for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disorders in horses; however, there is no information on the bibliometric impact of the literature published in this area. (2) Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed using the bibliometrix R package by analyzing the documents registered in the WOS and Scopus databases from 2000 to 2024. The included registers were evaluated according to the menu of results from the biblioshiny web app (overview, sources, authors, documents, words, trending topics, clustering, conceptual structure, and social structure). (3) Conclusions: The documents produced were mainly published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, BMC Veterinary Research, and the American Journal of Veterinary Research). The most productive institutions were Universidad de Caldas, Colorado State University, University of California-Davis, and University of Leipzig, and the most productive countries were the USA, Brazil, and Colombia. Horse, platelet-rich plasma, equine, osteoarthritis, and autologous conditioned serum were the most frequently used keywords. The trending topics in this area are platelet lysates and orthobiologics. The collaboration network of authors, institutions, and countries shows an isolated development of individual author networks with modest collaboration between institutions and countries.

Stress Response to Winter Warfare Training: Potential Impact of Location.

Winter warfare training (WWT) is a critical component of military training that trains warfighters to operate effectively in extreme environments impacted by snow and mountainous terrain. These environmental factors can exacerbate the disruption to the hormone milieu associated with operating in multi-stressor settings. To date, there is limited research on the physiological responses and adaptations that occur in elite military populations training in arduous environments. The purpose of this study was to quantify hormone responses and adaptations in operators throughout WWT. Participants engaged in baseline laboratory metrics at their home station, Fort Carson, located in Colorado (CO) prior to WWT, for one week in Montana (MT) and one week in Alaska (AK). WWT periods were separated by approximately one month. Blood was collected upon wake at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT at each location (MT and AK). Plasma was analyzed for stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Sleep quality was assessed via the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline (CO) and on the first day of training in MT and AK. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) at baseline (CO) and on the first and last day of WWT in both MT and AK. Fourteen US Army operators in 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) Operational Detachment participated in winter warfare training (WWT; age: 31.5 years; 95%CI[28.1, 34.3]; height: 180.6 cm; 95%CI[177.3, 183.4]; weight: 87.4 kg.; 95%CI[80.6, 97.7]; body fat: 18.9%; 95%CI[13.7, 23.1]; male: n=13; female: n=1). Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels increased from baseline (19.9 pg/mL; 95%CI[8.6, 24.2]) to pre-WWT (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]; p=0.004), decreased from pre- (26.9 pg/mL; 95%CI [16.2, 37]) to post-WWT in MT (22.3 pg/mL; 95% CI [8, 23.7]; p=0.004;), and increased from pre- (25 pg/mL; 95%CI[ 28.4) to post-WWT (36.6 pg/mL; 95%CI [17.9, 48.9]) in AK (p=0.005). Plasma cortisol levels decreased from pre- (174 ng/mL; 95%CI[106.2, 233.6]) to post-WWT (94.5 ng/mL; 95%CI[54.8, 101.7]) in MT (p=0.001) and, conversely, increased from pre- (123.1 ng/mL; 95%CI[97.5, 143.9]) to post-WWT (162.8 ng/mL; 95%CI[128, 216.7]) in AK (p<0.001). Alterations in growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3], and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) were observed throughout WWT (p<0.05). The Total Testosterone / Cortisol ratio (TT / CORT; molar ratio) was lower pre-WWT in MT (0.04; 95%CI[0.01,0.04) compared to baseline in CO (0.07; 95%CI[0.04, 0.07]; p=0.042). Triiodothyronine (T3) levels increased from pre- (101.7 ng/dL; 95%CI[93.7, 110.4]) to post-WWT (117.8 ng/dL; 95%CI[105.1, 129.4]) in MT (p=0.042). No differences in sleep quality were reported between locations (CO, MT, and AK). Alterations in cognitive function were exhibited between locations and during WWT in both MT and AK (p<0.05). Over the course of WWT, elite operators experienced alterations in stress, metabolic, and growth-related hormones, as well as cognitive performance. The increase in stress hormones (i.e., ACTH and cortisol) and reduction in cognitive performance following training in AK are suggestive of heightened physiological strain, despite similarities in physical workload, self-reported sleep quality, and access to nutrition. The variation in hormone levels documented between MT and AK may stem from differences in environmental factors, such as lower temperatures and harsh terrain. Further research is warranted to provide more information on the combined effects of military training in extreme environments on operator health and performance.

(Invited) Applications of an AI-Powered, Iot-Based Electrochemical Sensor Platform

Emissions are a significant contributor to climate change [1-2]. Low-cost sensor platforms are needed to understand the levels of emissions and the types of emissions [3]. In addition, sensors are needed to help determine the impact levels of what soon-to-be prominent gases, like hydrogen, will have on the environment [4]. Mixed potential electrochemical sensors are a promising technology for the foundation of the sensor platform [5].Our group has developed an AI-powered, IoT-driven sensor platform capable of measuring and differentiating sources of methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, ammonia and oxides of nitrogen [6]. The sensor platform has been field tested at Colorado State University’s Methane Emission Technology Evaluation Center (METEC). Embedded in the system are machine learning methods that are applied to a training dataset collected in the laboratory to quantify the concentration and identify sources of emissions [6]. These results serve as a first demonstration that a low-cost mixed potential electrochemical sensor system can successfully detect underground pipeline emissions and quantify CH4 concentrations that are in agreement with previously published results [7] collected using more complex and costly methods.This talk will focus on the applications of the sensor platform including leak detection, emissions monitoring, tailpipe emissions for transportation, flare management optimization and even methane destruction - all of which support the ability to measure and confirm net-zero strategies.This work was supported by US Department of Energy Award DE-FE0031864.

Closing Loopholes in Water Rights Systems to Save Water: The Colorado River Basin

AbstractAround the world, water rights systems govern the allocation of water to a multitude of users. Such systems primarily come into play during times of drought, when some users have to be shorted. Yet their management during times of excess can have implications for subsequent drought impacts. This is evident in the State of Colorado, where under “free river conditions” in which there is sufficient water to satisfy all water rights, anyone—including individuals lacking water rights—can divert as much as they want, unconstrained by the limit of their water right. Here, we estimate the amount of excess water used under such conditions within Division five of the Upper Colorado River Basin in the State of Colorado. Comparing the daily water withdrawals of diversion structures along the Colorado River and its tributaries with their (daily) water rights, we find that in 2017, 339 structures report days with excess withdrawals, amounting to 108 million cubic meters (87,577 acer feet). While such excess withdrawal is legal in Colorado, we argue that the free river condition is an antiquated rule that will make much needed reform of water allocation within the water‐stressed Colorado River Basin more difficult. We offer policy suggestions to address it.

A data-driven approach to identifying PFAS water sampling priorities in Colorado, United States.

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of environmentally and biologically persistent chemicals, have been used across many industries since the middle of the 20th century. Some PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects. Our objective was to incorporate known and potential PFAS sources, physical characteristics of the environment, and existing PFAS water sampling results into a PFAS risk prediction map that may be used to develop a PFAS water sampling prioritization plan for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). We used random forest classification to develop a predictive surface of potential groundwater contamination from two PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). The model predicted PFAS risk at locations without sampling data into one of three risk categories after being "trained" with existing PFAS water sampling data. We used prediction results, variable importance ranking, and population characteristics to develop recommendations for sampling prioritization. Sensitivity and precision ranged from 58% to 90% in the final models, depending on the risk category. The model and prioritization approach identified private wells in specific census blocks, as well as schools, mobile home parks, and public water systems that rely on groundwater as priority sampling locations. We also identified data gaps including areas of the state with limited sampling and potential source types that need further investigation. This work uses random forest classification to predict the risk of groundwater contamination from two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across the state of Colorado, United States. We developed the prediction model using data on known and potential PFAS sources and physical characteristics of the environment, and "trained" the model using existing PFAS water sampling results. This data-driven approach identifies opportunities for PFAS water sampling prioritization as well as information gaps that, if filled, could improve model predictions. This work provides decision-makers information to effectively use limited resources towards protection of populations most susceptible to the impacts of PFAS exposure.

Evidence for an adult summer diapause in mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that varies geographically and among haplogroups.

Identifying dormancy traits is important for predicting insect population success, particularly in a changing climate that could disrupt evolved traits. The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) is native to North America, is responsible for millions of acres of tree mortality, and is expanding northward in Canada. Research has identified thermal traits important to epidemic-phase ecology that vary among populations. Genomic research identified 3 mountain pine beetle haplogroups representing Pleistocene glacial refugia. Significant variation in generation timing aligning with the haplogroups has been observed. The adult stage was previously identified as the likely cause of differences among populations, although the mechanism(s) remain unclear. We tested for an adult summer diapause that varies among populations from 2 haplogroups, southern Colorado (CO) (central haplogroup) and southern Idaho (ID) (eastern haplogroup) using respirometry and reproduction experiments. Warm temperatures (25 °C) resulted in reduced respiration rates of central haplogroup mountain pine beetle compared to a cool temperature treatment (15 °C), whereas respiration of the eastern haplogroup did not differ between the treatments. Mated pairs of central haplogroup mountain pine beetle reared/held at 15 °C were more likely to be classified with a higher reproductive success rating compared to pairs reared/held at 25 °C. These results support a facultative summer adult diapause in southern CO central haplogroup mountain pine beetle. Manifestation of this diapause was low/absent among adults from the northerly ID location. This diapause likely serves to maintain univoltinism shown to be important for mountain pine beetle epidemic-phase ecology. The variation occurring among haplogroups highlights the long-term, evolved processes driving local adaptations in mountain pine beetle.

Area Deprivation Index and Frailty Among Older People With HIV.

We evaluated the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage (measured by the Area Deprivation Index [ADI]) and frailty. We performed a secondary analysis, pooling cross-sectional data collected from 209 people with HIV (PWH) aged ≥50years enrolled in studies in Colorado (CO) and Missouri (MO). MO participants (N = 137) had a higher ADI (µ= 70, ơ2 = 25) compared to CO (µ= 32, ơ2 = 15; p < .001). No significant differences in ADI were observed between frailty categories when cohorts were examined either separately or combined; however, when comparing individual frailty criteria, the most apparent differences by neighborhood disadvantage were seen among those with limited physical activity (μ = 67, ơ2 = 28) compared to those without (μ = 55, ơ2 = 29, p = .03). Neighborhood disadvantage was associated with low physical activity but not with overall frailty status. Future research should examine how access to physical activity spaces varies based on ADI, as this could be crucial in preventing frailty.

Colorado

In 2023, in lieu of overhauling the antiquated school funding formulas, the Colorado state legislature instead provided a historic increase to public education primarily through reduction of the Negative Factor (i.e., Budget Stabilization Factor), a mechanism put in place to reduce governmental spending across all sectors following the Great Recession. Traditional public schools, as well as charter schools and online and blended learning schools benefitted from the 2023 school finance changes. The legislature also sent a property tax relief bill to voters, which if approved, provides taxpayer relief from rising property values and offers support for teacher recruitment and retention with increased salaries and classroom support staff.

An innovative referral system: Bridging healthcare providers and community supports for pregnant and parenting people.

The connection between community healthcare providers and available community-based programs is often weak. For community members to be connected with services, a strong referral link between providers and programs is paramount. The Referral Express and Central Hub (REACH) project was born out of this need for Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program sites in the Denver Metro area of Colorado to be better connected and coordinated with local referral sources. The objective of the REACH pilot was to create a centralized referral system and determine its feasibility in practice. After a 12-month pilot, this innovative referral system supported the increase in a number of referral partners to Denver Metro area sites, an increase in clients served across the Denver Metro area, as well as an increase in the "refer to enroll" rate which increased by 37%. The success of the pilot of REACH led the developers to test the process on a second program, Child First, which was also successful. REACH has proved to be sustainable and continues to operate for both programs. Additionally, REACH acts as a consultant to NFP sites outside the Denver Metro area, in the state of Colorado, as each site works to increase its relationships with referral partners.

Quantifying intraspecific variation in host resistance and tolerance to a lethal pathogen.

Testing for intraspecific variation for host tolerance or resistance in wild populations is important for informing conservation decisions about captive breeding, translocation, and disease treatment. Here, we test the importance of tolerance and resistance in multiple populations of boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) against Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the amphibian fungal pathogen responsible for the greatest host biodiversity loss due to disease. Boreal toads have severely declined in Colorado (CO) due to Bd, but toad populations challenged with Bd in western Wyoming (WY) appear to be less affected. We used a common garden infection experiment to expose post-metamorphic toads sourced from four populations (2 in CO and 2 in WY) to Bd and monitored changes in mass, pathogen burden and survival for 8 weeks. We used a multi-state modelling approach to estimate weekly survival and transition probabilities between infected and cleared states, reflecting a dynamic infection process that traditional approaches fail to capture. We found that WY boreal toads are more tolerant to Bd infection with higher survival probabilities than those in CO when infected with identical pathogen burdens. WY toads also appeared more resistant to Bd with a higher probability of infection clearance and an average of 5 days longer to reach peak infection burdens. Our results demonstrate strong intraspecific differences in tolerance and resistance that likely contribute to why population declines vary regionally across this species. Our multi-state framework allowed us to gain inference on typically hidden disease processes when testing for host tolerance or resistance. Our findings demonstrate that describing an entire host species as 'tolerant' or 'resistant' (or lack thereof) is unwise without testing for intraspecific variation.

Evaluating the revenue and taxation implications of cannabis legalization in South Africa: Insights from Canada and the United States

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the impact of cannabis legalization on revenue mobilization and taxation in South Africa by analyzing the experiences of jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis. Methodology: A qualitative approach was employed, including a literature review and trend analysis. Data from Canada, California, Colorado, and Washington State, where cannabis has been legalized, were analyzed for 2018-2021. Results: The findings demonstrate that cannabis legalization significantly impacts revenue collection and taxation. However, optimal pricing and taxation policies are crucial to capture the illicit market, minimize negative externalities, and ensure industry growth. Legacy growers and previously disadvantaged individuals should be integrated into the legal market. Theoretical Contribution: The study contributes to the theoretical framework of Pigouvian taxation by examining its applicability to the cannabis industry and the challenges posed by illicit markets and product substitutability with alcohol and tobacco. Practical Implications: The study provides recommendations for South African policymakers on taxation policies, market regulation, and inclusive strategies to ensure a successful and sustainable cannabis industry while maximizing revenue mobilization.