In response to local concerns about mental health care, 50 community members formed a coalition called Supporting Action for Mental Health (SAM). SAM is the collaborative effort of local community groups and organizations, faith communities, residents, and local government to raise awareness and address mental health issues in Longmont.
In 2013, the City of Longmont experienced “flooding of biblical proportions” when the average annual rainfall amount fell in just four days. A few years before the flood, city engineers learned of changes made to the local floodplain maps maintained by FEMA. Although at the time, flooding seemed highly unlikely, city officials decided to use this latest information to update their emergency plans. Special efforts were taken to reach vulnerable populations living in mobile home parks located near the creek, through a series of neighborhood meetings and door-to-door visits conducted in both English and Spanish.