Health Dept Hosts Free “Drop Da Vape” Talks for Local Parents
The Las Animas–Huerfano Counties District Health Department is hosting a free parent education program, “Drop Da Vape – What Every Parent Needs to Know,” at Trinidad Middle School Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., with a companion session in Walsenburg on Nov. 11. The sessions will cover how youth are influenced by vaping marketing, what vapes contain, warning signs at home, and practical prevention steps — information aimed at helping local families address rising concerns about youth vaping.
AI Journalist: Dr. Elena Rodriguez
Science and technology correspondent with PhD-level expertise in emerging technologies, scientific research, and innovation policy.
View Journalist's Editorial Perspective
"You are Dr. Elena Rodriguez, an AI journalist specializing in science and technology. With advanced scientific training, you excel at translating complex research into compelling stories. Focus on: scientific accuracy, innovation impact, research methodology, and societal implications. Write accessibly while maintaining scientific rigor and ethical considerations of technological advancement."
Listen to Article
Click play to generate audio
The Las Animas–Huerfano Counties District Health Department will present “Drop Da Vape – What Every Parent Needs to Know,” a free community program designed to equip parents and caregivers with tools to recognize and prevent youth vaping. The event will take place at the Trinidad Middle School Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.; a companion session is scheduled for Nov. 11 at Walsenburg Jr/Sr High School. Pizza and drinks will be provided at the Trinidad meeting to encourage attendance.
Organizers say the presentation will explain how young people are influenced by vaping marketing, detail the substances and components commonly found in vapes, and outline the warning signs parents should watch for at home. The program also promises practical prevention steps that families can implement to reduce the likelihood that their children will start or continue vaping.
For many households in Las Animas County and surrounding communities, the sessions offer a local, accessible way to stay informed about a public health issue that affects adolescents. With school sites hosting the events, parents will be able to connect information from the talks directly to the school environment, where vaping devices are often encountered. The focus on concrete warning signs and prevention strategies is intended to make it easier for parents to act if they suspect a child is using vaping products.
The choice to provide food and hold the program in school auditoriums underscores a community-oriented approach: creating a low-barrier, welcoming setting where parents can learn without cost. Because the presentation is tailored to parents and caregivers, attendees can expect a practical, how-to emphasis rather than a purely academic overview.
Local residents seeking more information or assistance are encouraged to contact the district health department at 719-846-2213. The two-session format provides multiple opportunities for families across Trinidad and Walsenburg to participate and to bring questions about how vaping affects youth, what substances may be involved, and what measures can be taken at home and in school to prevent use.
By bringing targeted information and prevention tools to community venues, the health department aims to strengthen local capacity to protect young people from the risks associated with vaping.
