Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases Awareness Month!

This national proclamation in the month of May is an opportunity to elevate awareness of Lyme and the growing number of other tick-borne diseases and associated illnesses that affect increasing numbers of people in the US each year. Recent data from the centers for Disease control and prevention show tick-borne diseases are on the rise. Under-reporting of all tick-borne diseases is common, so the number of people actually infected is much higher than what gets reported. According to the CDC, new Lyme disease case estimates alone have now reached 500,000 annually. Prevention is key to staying healthy and awareness and education is critical in preventing these diseases!

Take Action!

We encourage you to join us in raising awareness this May by taking at least one action—big or small—to make a difference!

Moonlight Monday at Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub

Support COTBDAA at Moonlight Monday on May 11, 2026!

From September to May, every other Monday, Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub in Salida, CO donates 10% of their sales to support the people, causes, and initiatives working to make a real difference. And to extend that impact, for two weeks following each Moonlight Monday, customers can continue to contribute and show their support by adding donations directly to their checks. At Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub, they believe that a meal can do more than just fill your belly—it can change lives. That’s why they partner with local non-profit organizations like ours to make a lasting impact in our community. Come see us at Moonlight between 5:00pm and 7:00 pm for prevention resources and materials, as well as some great giveaways from our community partners that support our education and prevention activities! Learn more!

Healing Chronic Illness: Tick-Borne Diseases & Preventing Future Cognitive Decline

Dr. Richard Horowitz Virtual Zoom Event, Tuesday, May 12, 2026
FREE!

ABOUT:

Tick-borne diseases now affect an estimated one in seven people worldwide, while dementia rates continue to climb, with adults over 55 facing roughly a 42% lifetime risk. Research shows dementia is rarely caused by a single factor; many of the same 16 MSIDS factors linked to chronic Lyme disease and long COVID are also associated with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. This talk explores how chronic infections may influence long-term brain health and highlights emerging research on dapsone combination therapy, which shows early promise for improving fatigue, pain, cognitive symptoms, and reducing brain inflammation.

AGENDA:

ET  7:30 – 8:15 pm Presentation
8:15 – 8:30 pm Q&A

CT  6:30 – 7:15 pm Presentation
7:15 – 7:30 pm Q&A

MT 5:30-6:15 pm Presentation
6:15-6:30 pm Q&A

PT  4:30 – 5:15 pm Presentation
5:15 – 5:30 pm Q&A

REGISTER

The Quiet Epidemic

About the film: The Quiet Epidemic was made to communicate the challenges we face and the solutions we need—to audiences far beyond the Lyme community. The Quiet Epidemic is not just a movie, it’s a movement.

“After years of living with mysterious symptoms, a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist are diagnosed with a disease said to not exist: Chronic Lyme disease. The Quiet Epidemic follows their search for answers, which lands them in the middle of a vicious medical debate. What begins as a patient story evolves into an investigation into the history of Lyme disease, dating back to its discovery in 1975. A paper trail of suppressed scientific research, and buried documents reveals why ticks—and the diseases they carry—have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.”

Take Action!

For Lyme & Other Tick-borne Diseases/Illnesses Awareness Month…watch The Quiet Epidemic, share the film with friends and family, or host a screening in your community! You may purchase or download the film here.

Proclamations!

Colorado Governor’s Proclamation

Proclamations declaring May as Lyme & other Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Month have been signed by former Governor John Hickenlooper in both 2017 & 2018. And by Governor Jared Polis in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025!

View 2025 Proclamation

View 2024 Proclamation

View 2023 Proclamation

View 2022 Proclamation

View 2021 Proclamation

View 2020 Proclamation

View past years proclamations here

County/City/Town Proclamations

Chaffee County: May 2023, 2024, 2025

Town of Buena Vista:  2023, 2024, 2025

Take Action!

Ask your county/city/town for a proclamation for 2025! Template for proclamation language to submit to your county commissioners or mayor, here.

Elevate Awareness Throughout the Month of May!

Join us in supporting the growing community of individuals affected by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in Colorado, along with their families, caregivers, and friends. Together, we can make a difference, and even small actions can have a big impact!

Take Action!

• Like and follow COTBDAA on all of our social media platforms: FB, Instagram, Bluesky and LinkedIn. Like and repost our #KnowBeforeYouGo Campaign Posts throughout the month of May.
• Post & share your own experience with Lyme & TBDs/Illnesses via social media platforms and tag us @coloradoticks #FACESOFLYMEINCO #COLORADOTICKS throughout the month of May. Storytelling is a powerful tool, your experience can help others!
• View, post & share COTBDAA prevention resources to prevent tick bites!
• Wear green throughout the month of May; tie a green ribbon around a tree, a mailbox, a light post, car bumper, anything to start a conversation about Lyme and other TBD/Illnesses.
• Write a letter to your representatives or local newspaper, or contact local radio for an interview.
• Join our community partners at Lymedisease.org to receive The Lyme Times digital newsletter and get the most up-to-date patient centered information.
• Join the MyLymeData registry! MyLymeData is the largest Lyme patient registry that uses big data research tools that allow patients to quickly and privately pool their data to answer some of the toughest questions facing patients. Register Now! 
• Join the Lyme Disease Biobank (LDB) registry. A biobank, also known as a biorepository, stores human biological samples like blood and tissue for use in future research. Register Now!
• Become an advocate with Center for Lyme Action! Center for Lyme Action(CLA) is a 501c4 dedicated to growing federal funding for Lyme disease in an effort to find a cure — especially for Lyme patients with persistent, debilitating symptoms. Values of CLA are: bi-partisan, inclusive, humane, and scientific. Contact monica@coloradoticks.org to join the Rocky Mountain Team (CO, WY, MT).

Support COTBDAA!

Direct others to COTBDAA for valuable resources to help educate friends, family and communities throughout Colorado and beyond!

Spread the Lyme & Other Tick-borne Diseases Awareness Campaign by our community partners at Hoplark!

Make a donation in support of COTBDAA: Donate here!

Support the LymeAid 4 Kids Program!

A NATIONAL PROGRAM, in memory of the Lyme Disease Association’s (LDA) president Patricia V. Smith, the LDA has transferred ownership of their LymeAid 4 Kids (LA4K) fund to Colorado Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Association (COTBDAA) to continue to provide monies for children in need of Lyme testing and treatment. This program will remain a national level program administered by COTBDAA. Grants will be available to support children from across the US.

Make a donation in support of LymeAid 4 Kids: Donate here!

Community Partners!

Visit each of our COTBDAA Community Partners!  Our partners provide a wealth of information, resources, products, and services to help keep you informed, protected and supported.