A northern Colorado survey investigated whether migrants have better or worse health than the local poor population. An availability sample of migrants (202 adults, 101 children) was obtained by contacting migrants who had used Sunrise Community Health Center (Greeley, Colorado) within 24 months and by asking them to indicate other migrant families possibly interested in the free health screenings. The availability sample of local residents (66 adults, 64 children) was obtained by randomly selecting Center patients from the previous quarter and by randomly selecting households in low-income neighborhoods with high Hispanic populations. Survey questions were adapted from Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Findings for adults indicated need for increased screening among migrants (specifically for anemia in women, hearing and dental problems, diabetes, and hypertension), population. An availability sample of and for dental education programs, routine eye examinations, and hypertension education/control programs. Findings for migrant children included need for nutrition education concerning proper weaning techniques; routine lead screening (particularly for anemic children); and greater outreach for dental care. Overall conclusions were that migrant adults' health was as bad as or worse than the health of local residents, and, where health levels were the same, migrants perceived themselves as healthier than the local group, presumably because migrants are less highly educated about health conditions appropriate for good health. (MH)