GOVERNOR POLIS ANNOUNCES NEW COVID-19 COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES & LAUNCH OF AT-HOME TESTING PROGRAM |
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Today, Governor Polis provided an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he shared an overview of the state’s plan to administer booster shots, an announcement of the re-opening of several community vaccination sites, and provided information about a new at-home testing program provided by the state. Governor Polis was joined by Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist.
“I’m proud that Colorado has the sixth-lowest COVID-19 rates in the country, but in order to lower that even further and effectively end this pandemic, our state must always have a comprehensive approach to combating this virus,” said Governor Polis. “The opening of four community vaccination sites will help us efficiently roll out even more vaccines while making COVID-19 testing available right from the comfort of your home will aid our state in slowing and stopping the spread of COVID-19. The virus is not tired of us, Coloradans, so we must use every tool in the toolbox to defeat this pandemic. But it’s scientifically proven and clear that our most effective tool in this fight is the lifesaving, free and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Trust the science and get your vaccine today.”
Governor Polis announced the revamp of the state’s COVID-19 testing program which will now offer Rapid-At-Home testing to Coloradans directly in their homes without the need to have a medical professional witness test administration. The state has purchased 2 million Binax rapid tests. Individuals can sign up to have tests delivered straight to their homes at: covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home.
Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist, provided an update on the state of COVID in Colorado.
“There is some variability in what we are seeing in ICU capacity across the state. While Colorado’s COVID-19 rates have started to go down, we are still seeing some higher rates in northern parts of the state. Counties that tend to have the highest hospitalization rates tend to be the counties with the lowest vaccination rates. So the overall message is that at the individual level the vaccine will prevent you from being hospitalized and at the county and state level, vaccinations help keep ICU capacity in check,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy.
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Governor Polis also provided an overview of how Colorado will quickly administer booster shots to those who are currently FDA eligible to receive one. Colorado is ready to administer boosters to those in our nursing homes starting this week and the state has the infrastructure in place to immediately start administering boosters once the FDA clears it for additional age groups. Governor Polis urged the FDA to make the booster available to everyone as soon as possible.
Last week, Raytheon, an aerospace company employing 3,500 Coloradans, announced that they would be requiring their U.S. workforce to be fully vaccinated. There are many other companies in Colorado who are doing the same to protect their employees including Arrow Electronics Tyson Foods Northwestern Mutual, Bonanno Concepts, Vail Resorts and, Arapahoe Basin and others.
To support these employers, their workforce, and all Coloradans who are looking to get their first, second or booster, Governor Polis announced the opening of four community vaccination sites with the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 doses of the vaccine every day.
These sites will only be operating at this capacity until September 30:
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Aurora - Aurora Municipal Center
15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012
Drive-through clinic
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Littleton - Southwest Plaza Mall
8501 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Drive-through clinic
Hours of operation:10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Colorado Springs - Chapel Hills Mall
1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Walk-in clinic
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Commerce City - Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Parking Lot
6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, CO 80022
Lot F 9/20-22, Lot H 9/23-9/30
Walk-up clinic
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
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Additionally, Coloradans are able to get either their first, second, or third shot at any of the more than 1,600 enrolled vaccine providers in the state ranging from pharmacies to primary care providers. For more information, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine.
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WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM |
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Getting the vaccine should be as easy as showing up for work.
That's why Colorado offers a workplace vaccination program, which gives employers, unions, and trade associations of any size to provide their workers more opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a familiar and convenient location. And this is a great way for Colorado employers to help Power the Comeback.
To date, over 160 clinics have been hosted with more than 2,400 workers reached through the program!
Employers can join hundreds of other organizations small and large that are doing their part by filling out the Google form linked below to request a free, on-site vaccination event.
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All staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies will be coordinated and provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. |
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FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITES |
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If you're experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19 and want to get tested, Colorado sponsors more than 80 free community testing sites throughout the state. These sites do not require identification, insurance, or a doctor’s note.
Click the button below for a map of free community testing sites and view the list here.
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MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS |
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Offering both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, these mobile clinics are for everyone 12 years and older!
Click the button below for the full list of mobile vaccination site stops.
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"POWER THE COMEBACK" BUSINESS PLEDGE |
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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 launched 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.
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:
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Host a vaccine clinic for employees.
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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.
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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.
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Now, getting to your appointment or a walk-in site is easier than ever. Click above, 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.
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