Las Animas County Department of Human Services

Las Animas County Board of County Commissioners declared May as National Foster and Kinship Awareness Month, with a proclamation outlining the importance of certified foster and kinship providers, and the huge role they play in the success of infants and youth reaching permanency in Child Welfare. Thank you to the many dedicated foster families and kinship providers throughout Las Animas County, and to the staff at DHS in the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) for the work they do to help maintain care for infants and youth during times of crisis.

Pictured: Las Animas County Commissioner - Tony Hass, Las Animas County Commissioner and Chair - Felix Lopez, Deputy Director of Programs - Jamie Tupper, DYFS Supervisor - Madison Gagliardi, and Las Animas County Commissioner Bob Lucero.

FYI.

Las Animas County Board of County Commissioners and the Las Animas County Dept. of Human Services (LACDHS) proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We would like to recognize our Child Protection Team Members in the Division of Youth and Family.

We also thank all of our community partners and friends that report concerns to the department. Although not all reports meet criteria for investigation, but we encourage you to report regardless, because it takes all of us to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our local youth.

Are you a Mandatory Reporter?

The State Office of Children, Aging, and Community Services & Las Animas County Dept. of Human Services (LACDHS) staff are pleased to host a community workshop focusing on Mandatory Reporting (MR).

Whether you are new to a human services, law enforcement, school official, or medical provider, or you need a refresher; this course will strengthen your confidence in identifying and reporting concerns in a timely and compliant manner.

Click here to register: https://forms.gle/TQ6GwXLCQ8pbEKwW8

Limited seating capacity, first come only.

Need a crib or toddler bed? Call HuLA Early Childhood Council (719) 845-0463.

Big changes are coming to Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) in 2026 and 2027.

Find out how recent federal legislation may affect how you qualify for health coverage:
HealthFirstColorado.com/changes

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Acting in its capacity as the Board of Human Services

MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Topic: LACDHS BoCC - Regular Meeting

Time: Apr. 21, 2026 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Click Here to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87560568373?pwd=YaP1KuR6CdEnfmY4ejDkv1zksZkTuD.1

Meeting ID: 875 6056 8373
Passcode: 883748

***Schwachheim Fire Update***

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – 10 a.m.

Colorado Incident Management Team
Phil Daniels, Incident Commander

Size: 646 acres | Containment: 0% | Total Personnel: approximately 100
Location: Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, southeast of Trinidad in Las Animas County
Reported: April 12, 2026, at 4:40 p.m.

Special Notes: The Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. this morning. The Team is working closely with local and national resources, who remain actively engaged in suppression efforts. The fire location is less than two miles north of the New Mexico border.

Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency. This verbal declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to take all necessary and appropriate actions to assist with response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. This support includes engine and hand crews to assist in containment efforts, DFPC aerial resources, and the DFPC-sponsored Type 3 Incident Management Team to manage incident response efforts.

Current Situation: The fire is burning in grass and brush in an old burn scar area of rugged, steep drainages west of Lake Dorothey Reservoir.

Weather: Critical fire weather is expected to continue, with temperatures in the upper 60’s to mid 70’s. Fire behavior will be wind-driven, with west-southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph and humidity values as low as 10%.

Fire Behavior: The fire was active overnight, with some growth in the east drainage. Yesterday, crews on the ground were assisted with aviation resources, including two Large Air Tankers (LATs), a Type 1 helicopter, and a Type 2 helicopter. Erratic and shifting winds combined with difficult terrain contributed to fire growth yesterday. More resources have been ordered and are enroute.

Closures: Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, southeast of Trinidad near the N.M. border, is closed. Turkey hunting license holders for this property will be notified directly by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect in the airspace above the fire. Wildfires are always a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Las Animas County, Colorado, including the towns of Trinidad, Aguilar, El Moro, Cokedale, Jansen, and Hoehne. Statewide Fire Restrictions are also in effect in New Mexico. Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, and gas flares related to oil and gas production are prohibited.

Evacuations: None. Stay informed and sign up for Las Animas County, Colorado emergency alerts at: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/login.action?lpse=1
Sign up for Colfax County, NM emergency alerts at: https://accountportal.onsolve.net/colfaxcountynm/contact

Due to ongoing construction, our front entrance will be closed Thursday, April 9th through the 13th. Please use the back door for all visits until further notice.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve our space. If you need assistance locating the entrance, don’t hesitate to contact us.