Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment would like to thank the many stakeholders who provided ideas and guidance in one or more aspects of this year’s survey implementation process.
We would also like to express sincere gratitude to the following organizations for helping fund the survey incentive program, whose contributions were instrumental to the project’s success:
- Banner Health
- Intermountain Health
- North Range Behavioral Health
- Sunrise Community Health
- UCHealth
Finally, many thanks to the Weld County residents who completed the survey. Your contributions and experiences help promote health for all residents.
Authors/contributors to this report:
Carter Vogel, MPH
Maya Swanson, MPH
Raissa Huntley, MPH
Olivia Egen, MPH DrPH
Cindy Kronauge, MPH PhD
For comments, questions, and requests for additional information, please contact the Population Health and Data Analytics Team at He-healthdata@weld.gov
There were 8 top themes that emerged from Weld County residents’ responses to the open-ended question on the 2025 Weld Community Health Survey:
What suggestions do you have on ways to make Weld County a healthier place to live, work, and play?
In total, 1,674 Weld residents answered this question. These responses were coded into 23 main themes and 22 sub-themes for a total of 45 themes and sub-themes that represented over 2,100 unique comments (a response from one survey could be coded as multiple comments because it related to more than one theme or sub-theme).
After tabulating frequency of mentions, eight themes emerged as the top concerns. In order of most frequently mentioned, the main concerns expressed by participants were:
Five of these top themes had sub-themes, which are summarized in the table below:
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Transportation
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Environment
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Government Services and Community Programming
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Health care
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Population Growth & Development
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- Public transportation
- Road conditions, fix roadways
- Traffic control, regulations, & infrastructure
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- Air Quality
- Environmental protection measures, regulations, and monitoring
- Mosquito, fly, and pest control
- Quality and pollution
- Water Quality
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- Access to services & resources
- Education and communication
- More community events & affordability
- Suggestions for improvements or reductions
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- Access, affordability, & quality
- Dental care
- Health Insurance
- Mental health
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Some other common topics mentioned in the open-ended responses included:
- Housing and Homelessness: several residents mentioned the need for more measures to be taken for Weld’s population experiencing homelessness with some stating the need for more resources and others identifying these individuals as dangerous with a need for more police and judicial response. In addition, many residents highlighted the need for affordable housing options in Weld County. High rent and mortgages rates were mentioned as well as the need for entry-level housing.
- Trash, Recycling, and Waste: many residents expressed their concern about trash and waste found on the side of roads in Weld County and on properties. Others expressed the need for lower cost options for residents to dispose of items which may decrease dumping and the need for recycling services.
- Healthy Eating and Food Access: some residents expressed their concern about the cost and availability of food. Many residents also expressed the need for more options for nutritious food including more local farmers’ markets throughout the county.
- Income, Employment, and Cost of Living: some residents expressed their concern about inflation and the rising cost of living (increasing costs of gas, food, rent, etc.). Many residents mentioned the need for lower taxes. Others commented about the need for more and better paying employment opportunities.
Transportation:
276 mentions
Transportation was the most frequently mentioned topic among Weld County residents. Residents mentioned the need for more public transportation options including the need for accessible options for those with disabilities. Safety concerns and the need for stronger enforcement of traffic laws were key concerns of residents. Many residents also noted that roads in Weld County need repairs and maintenance. Some residents also mentioned traffic as an issue.
“Weld County is very large geographically. Continued work on transportation infrastructure for rural communities to reduce isolation and improve access to resources such as hospitals, clinics schools, community facilities etc.”
“The roads are in terrible and unsafe conditions in many places where we live.”
“The growth we have experienced has made traffic an issue.Certain main streets and arterials have become congested.”
“Attention to dust abatement on heavily used unpaved roads”
“Make the roads safer. There are too many people here and they are always in a hurry and they are not afraid to run red lights or stop signs.”
“More access to public transportation”
“Roads! Deal with the current increase in traffic as well as what is to come with all of the new builds that are happening and planned.”
“People around here tend to drive very fast”
“Fix and maintain roads, make sure the painted markings are easy to see and add reflector poles.”
Bike & Pedestrian Infrastructure
219 mentions
Many residents expressed their interest in more bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Weld County, especially in the creation of trails for walking and biking opportunities in rural communities. Some residents expressed concern about current pedestrian infrastructure and the need for maintenance and updates to improve safety.
“We desperately need better sidewalks connecting the different neighborhoods in our community… we cannot safely walk or ride our bikes with children between neighbors.”
“Smaller communities in Weld county need repair to sidewalks, especially in older neighborhoods for easier walking and handicapped accessibility.”
“More bike trails connecting communities.”
“Work with municipalities on providing more multi-use paths to encourage more alternative transportation to commercial hubs.”
“Improve trails and accessibility in more rural areas”
“Each neighborhood should have access to safe sidewalks, trails, walking and riding paths. “If you build it, they will come.”
“Trails and sidewalks would be a huge benefit”
“Better interconnected walking/biking trails, heavy on non-paved options. Build neighborhoods that are more connected, more walkable, and have more than just houses (more mixed-use) - so much of Weld Country is exclusively car-centric, it’s almost impossible to get anywhere without a car.”
“Need more bike paths and sidewalks.”
Parks, Recreation, & Open Spaces
198 mentions
Many residents expressed their interest in more parks, recreation, and open spaces in communities. Residents stated they wanted more opportunities for families including playgrounds and activities for kids as well as infrastructure for sports.
“Focus on more recreational options for smaller communities. For instance, Mead is building an indoor basketball facility. A lot of residents wanted some sort of a swimming pool option. There are a lot of playgrounds, but diversity would be nice to have other options for recreation, such as swimming. Make public tennis courts/pickleball courts. Offer more recreational sports options for children and teens in the summer.”
“places like pickleball courts etc for people to get together.”
“More family friendly places, parks, attractions.”
“Keeping outdoor spaces clean and nice and accessible is appreciated.”
“Keep community infrastructures, parks, roads, and open spaces organized, clean, and free of trash & debris to help create a stronger sense of community pride.”
“More parks, recreation areas”
“Outdoor recreation options that are long-lasting and free (parks, trails, water sprinklers when it's hot for kids, playground equipment”
“More dog parks”
“More interactive parks like the one at Island Grove in the smaller towns like Milliken, Eaton, Fort Lupton, etc.”
Environment
179 mentions
Many residents expressed concerns about air quality and pollution. The connection with traffic, Weld’s increasing population, wildfires, and oil and gas was made. Water concerns and the need for more environmental protection measures were mentioned.
“Our air quality is terrible! It used to be we had ozone action alerts in the summer only, now they're year round. We've got to improve our public transit and reward people for using it and make it easy to use. I'm a senior with health issues and many days I can't even sit out on my patio due to the polluted air. It's ozone, pesticides from farm spraying and oil and gas. It's critically important we get a handle on this as this area continues to explode in population!”
“monitor and mitigate pollution”
“For the last 10 years, at least, we have had to breathe smoke from wildfires for 3 to 6 months. This is a national problem which affects everyone's health…”
“The air sometimes smells like cow manure. It would be nice if it didn't”
“Take a multi-pronged approach to environmental issues that impact air and water -- addressing traffic, oil and gas emissions, and agricultural pollution -- monitoring and enforcing regulations and seeking new ways to regulate industry and traffic in the future. Water will continue to be a huge issue for the SW U.S. and doing our part to limit stress on the water supply will be critical to everyone's future.”
“Routine well water testing for private wells”
“Noise pollution is a problem our family is bothered by on a regular basis - enforcement of the noise regulations would be nice”
“I am very concerned with air quality in Weld county. I have air filters on every floor of my house to cope. I am very sensitive to poor air quality”
Govt Services & Community Programs
123 mentions
Some residents expressed the need for more community events and access to services, especially in the rural areas of the county. Others mentioned the need for more communication from the county.
“Improve local resources and supports to be more accessible.”
“Provide a newsletter about important county issues. Not everyone has access to the Greeley Tribune."
“Help us in far northeastern Weld County!! We feel so isolated from county services- having to drive 90 miles to the nearest county center is soooo stressful.”
“Encourage community activities and places where people of all ages can meet and build relationship(s).”
Law Enforcement, Safety, & Crime
120 mentions
Some residents expressed concerns about safety and crime in their neighborhood, stating the need for more police presence. Others mentioned issues with unsafe drivers.
Safe roadways, limit drug and alcohol related dangers, maintain safe environment
“Better enforcement of the laws. People don’t respect the laws.”
“Get rid of criminals with harsher penalties put upon them. Find ways to teach low abusive criminals a trade so they can NOT find trouble when they get out and find work.”
“More police presence”
Health care
108 mentions
While healthcare concerns were not mentioned as frequently as in past years this is unlikely to reflect a decreased perception of its importance among residents. Rather, this variation is most likely attributable to differences in question wording across cycles, which may have influenced how residents responded. Most comments related to issues of affordability and lack of providers/accessibility. Several commented on the need for more mental healthcare services and dental care services.
“Have better medical services available in the county, I am going outside of weld county to obtain better medical services. Due to the distance, making appointments is difficult as I have a limited amount of free time that I can take off work to seek medical health services”
“Find a way to make finding health insurance easier and more affordable for small businesses and individuals.”
“Health and medical services available in rural areas. Hospice and other services available to all of Weld County. Some services are not available in outlying areas such as New Raymer, Stoneham, Grover, and Hereford.”
“Focus on mental health and addiction services”
“Less understaffed clinics and easy access and affordable insurance”
“As a new resident I had to wait 6 months to see a primary care physician as a new patient.”
“Invest more money in health care facilities to provide good care for our ever increasing population.”
“Our health insurances is TOO EXPENSIVE - we spend most of our income to be covered by Ins. - this is Not Right-”
“Access to quality, affordable mental health care and dental care is increasingly difficult to obtain.”
Population Growth & Development
108 mentions
Many residents expressed their concern about continued growth in Weld County and their desire to see growth limited. Others expressed a need for more deliberative planning for the development occurring and their concerns over the loss of agricultural land.
"So much building new homes, but do we have the water and other services to maintain it? Drs are full, etc because we can't handle the growth. I don't know if there's a way to control that without housing prices skyrocketing though.”
“Population growth, Air pollution and traffic are my top concerns”
“I would love to see more deliberate town planning to include more walkable shopping areas… to encourage more local business, and some smaller grocery stores so driving is not required to get essential groceries”
“Prevent the community from getting too crowded.”
“LOVE the improvements to downtown corridor!!”
Select other comments
“Decrease taxes and other costs of living as Colorado is getting too expensive to live here. It's stressful to see costs continuing to increase and wages not keeping up with the cost of living.”
“Better access to services for individuals with disabilities in out lying areas.”
“stop panhandling, deal with homeless encampments and homeless mental health issues”
“fix the food desert in the northeast. access to healthy and nutritious food is important, even for the poor populations.”
“None. I love weld county and believe it is safe and health. I believe we have great services along with police, fire and EMS.”
“We live in a rural area and often see trash dumped on the roads. We take our trash to the dump instead of trash service. The weld county dump is VERY expensive and is likely the reason why people are dumping on the roads. Larimer county dump use to be cheap in comparison, (but has been raising rates) - I typically drive a long way to use the Larimer dump.”
“Affordable housing for young people trying to get settled in this area”
“It'd be nice if something could be done to slow down the high cost of living here- people who love it here, have lived here their whole lives and their entire families are here are moving because even working 2 jobs can't keep them afloat. It's sad.”
“Help homeless people and families who are needing help with housing and food”
“Keep some open space, don't let developers develop every acre. Would like to see more programs to help families keep family farms or get into farming.”
“More job opportunities for seniors to work/lower grocery prices/lower utility rates especially for retirees/lower property taxes for seniors”
“Have the cost of living go down and also have more places for people to be able to rent easily and be decent.”
“Farmers Markets spread out around the county in smaller towns would be great to have access to fresh produce”
“Do not raise taxes (especially property).”
“Have something done about the furniture and mattresses, and tires and trash that are dumped in area. Tired of this and I have to pay to get these items removed from my property. Also have somewhere we can take old vs and electronics and stuff like that I can’t put in my trash.”
“Homeless off the streets leaving paraphernalia and trash behind. Panhandlers (the regulars) to get a job”
“Provide recycling services”
“I think weld county is a perfect place to live in”