Southwest Life


Everyone should be able to enjoy outdoor recreation

It’s summer in Colorado. For many Coloradans, this means taking to the great outdoors to enjoy our beautiful state. While limited number of trails are wheelchair accessible, the vast majorit...

Harm reduction: A response to substance use and overdoses

La Plata County Public Health Department’s Harm Reduction program is a response to the rise in opioid-related overdoses both nationally and within La Plata County. Overdose deaths have more ...

Embracing lived experience: A win-win for everyone

Our Own Lives is a new nonprofit in Southwest Colorado and will serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a wide array of supports. Formerly the direct service arm o...

Featured clinic programs at La Plata County Public Health Department

The La Plata County Public Health Department’s clinic offers a variety of services and programs to promote the health of our community regardless of whether you have insurance, legal status ...

Millions of Americans living with invisible disabilities

The power of invisibility may seem hugely attractive. Indeed, some comic superheroes rely on invisibility as an important tool in their arsenal against evil-doers. But for many people living...

Steps to take to avoid bats – and rabies – in Colorado

As spring brings warmer weather, many animals emerge from winter hibernation and are visible in our communities. Some wild mammals can carry rabies, including skunks, raccoons, foxes and coy...

Protecting, connecting and thriving: Priorities during National Public Health Week and year-round

National Public Health Week ends Monday, culminating seven days of recognizing the importance of public health in our communities. This year’s theme, “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We...

Colorado bills impact people with disabilities

With the run up to November elections and all the coverage of presidential primaries, you may have forgotten that the Colorado Legislature is in the midst of its yearly general session. Many...

Helpful hints to get your onsite wastewater system up and running

Last month, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his winter slumber and did not see his shadow, which means that an early spring may be on its way. Whenever it arrives, warmer weather also ushers ...

Local nonprofit learns from change

I love the saying, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” These days, it seems like the opportunities to “grow” are endless. Over the past eighteen months, Community Connections has bee...

La Plata County Public Health: New name, same programs, services

On Jan. 1, La Plata County began providing the public health services that San Juan Basin Public Health had previously offered the community for 75 years of serving both Archuleta and La Pla...

Like the civil rights movement, disability rights movement persists

On Monday, we will celebrate the life and work of one of the most well-known and influential leaders of the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of a group of leaders o...