CEO Update: Summer!

Bring on the summer!  The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick off to the summer season and I know I’m ready.  We are so lucky to live in the beautiful state of Colorado and to get to enjoy the amazing amount of days of sunshine and (for now) green lawns, thanks to the much needed rain. Which brings me to the subject of our changing climate!

Let me explain. Last week I had the opportunity to attend the National Rural Health Association’s Annual Conference in beautiful San Diego. The weather was a bit gloomy, but the water was amazing.  You might also know that I sit on the NRHA Rural Health Congress, the committee that is responsible for development of policy for NRHA.  During our meeting, we discussed a White Paper that is under development focusing on Climate Change.  The White Paper is set to be huge and the data seems to be changing daily. However, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore the impacts climate change is having on the different areas of the country.

What we know from the data CRHC was explored in the 2023 Snapshot of Rural Health is:

• 6 of the 8 warmest years on record for Colorado occurred since 2012
• The number of very hot days has been above average since 2000 and the number of very cold nights has been near or below average since 1990
• Since 2000, annual and spring precipitation totals have been generally below average. Fall precipitation was near to above average since the 1980s, until the 2015-2020 period.
• The Colorado River basin is experiencing a severe 22 year drought with extensive impacts throughout the West

We love our outdoors here in Colorado and the outdoor industry contributes to our rural economy.  I hope you enjoyed some outdoor time over this long weekend by biking, camping, hiking, rafting, hunting or whatever makes you happy.  And thanks for supporting our local rural communities!  For more data and information on rural please visit https://coruralhealth.org/snapshot-of-rural-health