October 2021 QUICK COVID RESOURCES COVID19.COLORADO.GOV COVID TESTING FIND A VACCINE PROVIDER CO EXPOSURE NOTIFICATIONS GOVERNOR POLIS PROVIDES UPDATE ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC, VACCINES & BOOSTERS 77% of Coloradans Have Received At Least One Dose of the Lifesaving Vaccine Today, Governor Polis provided an update on Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including information about employer-led vaccination requirements. Governor Polis was joined by Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, who shared her story of receiving the booster, and Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn. “This pandemic won’t end without you and there is no reason that 700 unvaccinated people over the age of 12 are hospitalized for COVID-19 in Colorado when we know how to prevent it: getting vaccinated. The life you save could be your own,” said Governor Polis. “With so many employers stepping up to protect their workers, as well as the efforts of individuals and organizations helping to vaccinate their communities, I know that Colorado will emerge stronger and more resilient than before the pandemic.” Gov. Polis applauded employers across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors who have gone above and beyond to protect their workforce and customers through vaccine requirements and testing protocols. These employers are doing the right thing for their staff and the people they serve and could help slow disease spread in communities, especially for those who aren’t yet eligible to get the vaccine. Governor Polis stressed the importance of receiving boosters when eligible. First and second doses of the vaccine are critical to ending the pandemic and booster shots play an important role in preventing disease transmission and keeping Coloradans safe. Approximately 5% of eligible Coloradans have received boosters, including Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “Normal activities like going to the grocery store became high-stakes activities. When vaccines were approved in late 2020, I was overjoyed as a mother, grandmother, cancer survivor, and of course, Lt. Governor,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “Yesterday, I rolled up my sleeve to receive my booster and I’ve experienced minimal side effects since then. Every shot in an arm is another step forward towards being free from this terrible virus and I encourage all eligible Coloradans to join me in receiving the booster.” Yesterday, top FDA officials discussed data that supports boosters for those 18 and older, and next week, the FDA is meeting to discuss boosters for those who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Earlier this month, the CDC offered further guidance on who should be getting Pfizer booster doses, including: People aged 65 years and older and adults 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions Residents aged 18 years and older of long-term care settings People aged 18–49 years with certain underlying medical conditions, such as People aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional Aurora Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Rico Munn joined the event and addressed how his team serves nearly 40,000 students and protects the in-person learning environment. “We’re incredibly grateful to our staff for stepping up to this need for our students to be protected. Currently 96% of licensed staff members are fully vaccinated, and we expect that number to grow,” said Superintendent Munn. “We’ve also signed up with CDPHE for regular surveillance testing in our schools.” VIEW TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM 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. ENROLL IN WORKPLACE VACCINATION PROGRAM All staffing, logistics, and vaccine supplies will be coordinated and provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. FREE COVID-19 TESTING SITES 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. VIEW MAP OF FREE TESTING SITES MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS 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. VIEW MOBILE VACCINATION SITE STOPS LEARN ABOUT VACCINE INCENTIVES "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 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: 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! 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. 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. ‌ ‌ ‌ 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]