DDPHE and CDPHE highlight threat of antimicrobial resistance

Published on November 21, 2025

City’s McNichols Civic Center Building will be lit purple from Nov. 22-24 as agencies urge safe antibiotic use

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, alongside the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment are partnering to draw attention to the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance during U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 18-24). Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs stop responding to the medicines designed to kill them.

As a highly visible component of the partnership, the City’s iconic McNichols Civic Center Building will be illuminated purple from Nov. 22-24 as part of the “Go Purple for USAAW” initiative. Held each year, U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) raises public awareness of the importance of using antibiotics and antifungals appropriately and highlights the global risk antimicrobial resistance poses to people, animals, plants, and our shared environment.

Antibiotics are very effective at treating bacterial infections, but if taken when they are not needed, you expose yourself to side effects and allow germs on your body to adapt and resist them.

This effort calls for a One Health approach, recognizing that the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment (like soil and water) are all closely connected. Combating antimicrobial resistance requires this shared responsibility to protect essential medicines around the world.

“Microbes are invisible, but when they become resistant to treatment their impact is enormous. By lighting the McNichols Building purple, we’re making the invisible visible, reminding our community that antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat we share,” said DDPHE Executive Director Karin McGowan. By helping folks understand the impact of overuse of antibiotics, we can help protect these vital medicines and ensure they continue to remain effective.”    

CDPHE and DDPHE urge all residents and health care professionals to participate in USAAW by taking for key actions this week:

  • Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene to prevent infections in the first place.
  • Understand that antibiotics do not work against viruses (like colds and flu).
  • Do not pressure your health care provider for antibiotics when they are not needed.
  • Follow directions precisely when taking antibiotics or antifungal medications

More information is available on CDPHE’s Antibiotic Awareness webpage. 

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