Tick-Borne Diseases

Tick-borne diseases are spread from tick bites to both humans and pets. Tick season is primarily during the months of April and May, but they may be present until September.  

Prevention:

  • Stay on designated trails when outside walking or hiking.
  • Avoid tall grass.
  • Wear long paints that can be tucked into your socks.
  • Apply bug spray before walks and hikes.
  • Check yourself and pets for ticks before leaving the trail (before returning home).
  • Remove ticks from skin as soon as possible.  The sooner they are removed the less opportunity they have to transmit disease.

 

How to remove a tick:

  1. Clean the area around the tick with rubbing alcohol.
  2. Grab the head of the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
  3. Pull the tick straight up from skin.
  4. If you cannot remove all of the head, leave it. It will fall off naturally.

 

Tick Surveillance

Active Surveillance

Starting in 2026, Weld County is partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in actively surveilling ticks in natural areas around Weld County. Ticks caught are speciated in order to determine if new species of ticks are moving into Colorado and also tested for the following tick-borne diseases:

  • Colorado Tick Fever
  • Tick-borne Relapsing Fever
  • Tularemia 
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

 

Passive Surveillance

You can also help with tick surveillance in Colorado by submitting ticks you find.  Ticks can be submitted by completing this online form. Instructions on how to package and send in the ticks can be found at the bottom of the form.     

For More Information

Centers for Disease Control

types of ticks found in Colorado
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