In a county as large as Weld — over 4,000 square miles — health care, particularly in rural communities, can be difficult to access. Long distances to travel to a clinic can make health care more of an afterthought rather than a priority.

A dream, an unlikely partnership, and a new high-tech mobile health clinic are working to change that.

“For some residents, the distance to the nearest clinic isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a deal-breaker,” said Shaun May, Director of Public Health Services for Weld County’s Department of Public Health and Environment. “They may delay care, skip important screenings, or go without immunizations. The mobile unit bridges that gap.”

The challenge some residents face didn’t go unnoticed by May, and he set out to do something about it. A little over five years ago, he and his team began developing a bold solution: a public health clinic that could travel, meeting people where they are instead of asking them to overcome barriers to come to a building.

“Community demand for core public health services outside our facility had increased dramatically after the COVID-19 pandemic,” May said. “We needed a solution that was flexible, visible, and truly mobile. The mobile unit became the answer to years of listening, learning, and planning.”

It was more than just a good idea. It was May’s dream, rooted in a vision of accessible and improved health outcomes resulting in stronger communities. But a dream like this couldn’t move forward on inspiration alone. It needed wheels. Literally.

That’s where the Department of Fleet Services came in, led by Director David Springer. When May shared his vision, Springer immediately saw the opportunity.

“It was clear this could be transformational,” he said. “Fleet had the know-how and connections to make it real, and we were all in.”

What followed was an unusual and highly effective partnership between two county departments, one public facing that serves the community and another the focuses on providing internal services. The two don’t often work side by side.

Public Health brought the community insight, clinical needs, and outreach goals. Fleet Services brought the technical expertise, logistics, and vendor relationships to bring the unit to life. It was government collaboration at its best: focused on problem-solving, efficiency, and community impact.

“If we were going to move forward with this, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just good, it had to be exceptional, like a true medical room on wheels with sanitation, temperature control, everything,” Springer said. “As an internal department, this was our chance to truly make a difference in the community, and I knew we had one shot to get it right.”

On April 7, 2025, after years of thoughtful planning, data collection, and construction as well as the green light from the county commissioners, the vision became a reality. Weld County officially launched its Public Health Mobile Unit, a fully equipped, traveling clinic that brings essential health services directly to the people.

Designed with cost-efficiency and accessibility in mind, the unit was originally budgeted at $650,000. Thanks to smart planning, the final cost came in under $526,000.

But beyond the numbers, the mobile unit is already proving its worth in the lives it touches.

In its first few months on the road, the unit has made stops from New Raymer to Fort Lupton. In September alone, it will have attended and hosted over nine outreach events. Services provided include A1C and blood lead level testing, STI testing and treatment, substance abuse education, immunization clinics, and other vital preventive health screenings.

And it’s not just about care, it’s about connection.

“Being in familiar, trusted places changes how people engage with their health,” May noted. “When we show up at a school or a community center, we’re meeting people in their world. That builds trust and encourages participation. We’re not just offering services, we’re creating relationships.”

The mobile unit is a cornerstone of Weld County’s larger public health strategy, one centered on prevention, education, and outreach. The goal is simple but powerful, reach people earlier and reduce preventable illnesses throughout the community.

The mobile health unit team collaborates with school districts, local nonprofits, food banks, and employers to ensure that the mobile unit is present where it is most needed. These partners help identify specific community needs and coordinate logistics so that every visit is intentional and impactful.

When health care access improves, entire communities benefit. Preventing illness in one individual protects many. Offering testing and treatment reduces spread. Providing education empowers families for generations.

“This was five years in the making,” May said. “It took persistence, creativity, and a lot of teamwork. But now, seeing it out in the community, it’s everything we hoped for and more.”

Thanks to a shared vision, a strategic partnership, and the power of meeting people where they are, Weld County is not just moving forward. It is bringing health care along for the ride.