The Weld County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 1 proclaimed October 2025 as Long Term Care Residents Rights Month, recognizing local ombudsmen who advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

The proclamation, presented by the Department of Human Services, noted the county’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program works across 8 nursing homes and 24 assisted-living facilities. Tammy Grant, deputy director of the Weld County Department of Human Services, told the board the local ombudsman team — one supervisor and two team members — investigated more than 500 complaints so far this year, up from 398 the prior year.

Grant said the county’s ombudsman focus areas include quality of care, residents’ dignity and rights, dietary issues, improper evictions or inadequate discharges, and financial and billing concerns. She asked the public to recognize the role of ombudsmen in helping residents navigate those issues and to “stand with me,” the theme the department used this year.

Commissioners praised the ombudsman staff for their advocacy. Commissioner Lynette Peppler said listening to residents and respecting their dignity is “one of the ways we can do this,” while Commissioner Scott James thanked the team for serving “the most valuable among us.” Commissioner Roth (referred to by title in the meeting transcript) called the ombudsmen “shepherds” for vulnerable older adults.

The proclamation was signed by the board and the Department of Human Services recognized team members who joined the meeting, including Reagan Maldonado (ombudsman supervisor), Desiree Rodriguez and Veronica Paxton (ombudsman team members), and a larger pool of county staff named during the remarks.

County officials said the ombudsman program’s caseload and visibility in facilities earned a positive on-site evaluation in 2025, and the proclamation asks the community to amplify residents’ voices and support their rights.

The board paused for photos and formal thanks at the close of the recognition.