August 2021 QUICK COVID RESOURCES COVID19.COLORADO.GOV COVID TESTING FIND A VACCINE PROVIDER CO EXPOSURE NOTIFICATIONS GOVERNOR POLIS DISCUSSES THE STATE'S RESPONSE EFFORTS, INFORMATION ON STATE VACCINE MANDATES Today, Governor Polis provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s decision to require vaccines for employees working in its 24/7 facilities and interacting with vulnerable populations. He was joined by Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist, who provided a modeling update, as well as Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, Colorado Department of Human Services Executive Director Michelle Barnes, and Colorado Department of Corrections Executive Director Dean Williams. “Colorado currently has the 7th lowest COVID rate, but that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. We’re still learning about the virus, though we know that the Delta variant has truly changed the trajectory of this pandemic,” said Governor Polis. “The best thing we can all do is get vaccinated and wear a mask indoors around others for an additional level of protection.” Several weeks ago Colorado announced that all state employees will have to verify their vaccination status by September 20 or submit to twice-weekly testing. Yesterday, the Department of Public Health, Department of Corrections, and Department of Human Services announced that agency staff members that interact with vulnerable populations and those living in congregate living settings will be required to get vaccinated. Department of Corrections staff will have until September 30 to get their first dose, and until October 31 to be fully vaccinated, and Human Services staff will have until September 30 to get their first dose and November 14 to get their second. The Governor also reiterated his call for the State Board of Health to require the vaccine for all personnel working with Colorado’s most vulnerable and in settings where people receive essential health care services. He applauded the medical care providers who have already taken this critical step, including: UCHealth, Banner Health, Denver Health, Children’s Hospital Colorado, SCL Health, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, National Jewish, Boulder Community Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente. There are also several senior living facilities such as Genesis and Vivage who have done the same. The FDA recently approved third doses of the vaccine for immunocompromised Americans. Right now, immunocompromised Coloradans can visit any provider in the state and get a third dose of the vaccine. In addition to the more than 1,500 providers across the state who are administering the vaccine, the state is working directly with long-term care facilities to identify Coloradans in these settings who are considered immunocompromised, going so far as to set up vaccination clinics on-site to ensure that all residents are protected. Health officials announced that booster shots will be available to Americans starting on September 20, eight months after the second dose of the vaccine, which means that health care workers and older Coloradans will be the first to be eligible. More information will be provided as it becomes available from the Federal government. The state is making plans to ensure Coloradans can receive their booster when they’re eligible. For more information on where to get the vaccine, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine. VIEW TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE LEARN ABOUT FREE COVID-19 SCHOOL SCREENING TESTING PROGRAM LEARN ABOUT AMAZON SHOT AT A SCHOLARSHIP LEARN ABOUT VACCINE INCENTIVES MOBILE CLINICS Offering both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, these mobile clinics are for everyone 12 years and older! BOOK A MOBILE VACCINE CLINIC APPOINTMENT Now, getting to your appointment or a walk-in site is easier than ever. Click below, call 211, or text your zip code to 898-211 for access to free rides (up to 25 miles each way) to vaccination sites across Colorado through Mile High United Way’s “Ride United” program. "POWER THE COMEBACK" BUSINESS PLEDGE From the beginning of this pandemic, we’ve been making decisions based on saving lives and livelihoods. And we know that the good times come back when we all do our part to power the Colorado Comeback for ourselves, our families, businesses, and students by supporting the decision to get vaccinated. Business owners and employees have been innovative and nimble in the face of this crisis. There are incredible stories of resilience, and that is in no small part due to so many Coloradans getting the vaccine, who can now do the things they love and give our economy a much-needed boost in the process.  That’s why the State is launching a new business tool as part of our "Power the Comeback" campaign, which will encourage businesses to do their part by encouraging employees to get vaccinated and by promoting policies that create COVID-safe workplaces. Through this "Power the Comeback" campaign, businesses can take the Power the Comeback business pledge. Here are some of the ways we are asking Colorado businesses to help public-facing workers understand the benefits of getting vaccinated and understand the support their employers can provide: Host a vaccine clinic for employees. Promote information about the Colorado law that mandates paid time off to get the vaccine and recover from vaccine side effects. Provide incentives for employees to get vaccinated (e.g., cash bonuses, additional paid time off, etc.). Share information about nearby vaccination clinics with employees and customers. Commit to posting ample signage about safe COVID-19 behaviors, mask rules for those who are unvaccinated, employee rights, and quarantining rules if exposed to COVID-19. Have a policy in place that encourages any individual aged 12 and older, who is not fully vaccinated, to continue wearing a mask inside your workplace. A toolkit that includes posters, graphics and other materials for use will be available once your pledge is received. TAKE THE PLEDGE! WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM Getting the vaccine should be as easy as showing up for work. The Governor is proud to announce that Colorado is offering a new workplace vaccination program, which will allow employers, unions, and trade associations of any size to provide their workers with more opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a familiar and convenient location. Employers can enroll and request a free, on-site vaccination event by filling out a Google form - there is no workplace too small to get vaccinated! REQUEST A WORKPLACE VACCINATION CLINIC All staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies will be coordinated and provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The State of Colorado has been ahead of the curve in getting our workforce protected against this virus. All regular employees in Colorado receive four hours of paid time off (PTO) to use for vaccine appointments and to recover from vaccine side effects. If you’re a regular employee and find this is not the case in your workplace, call the Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics at (303) 318-8441 to ask questions or voice a complaint. ‌ ‌ ‌ Visit Website Office of Governor Jared Polis | 136 State Capitol , Denver, CO 80203 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]