Category: Colorado News

Coloradans 65 and Older Can Renew Online
Driver license online renewal available to some vulnerable populations

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, Gov. Jared Polis announced an emergency order to help Coloradans reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Starting on March 11, 2020, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will allow residents 65 years old and older to renew their driver license credential online. Under normal circumstances, drivers 65 and older are required to visit an office to renew their credential.

The programming will remain in place until such time as the emergency order is lifted. There are a small number of customers who may have additional restrictions because they have renewed online twice before. We will work with these customers on an individual basis to renew their credential without visiting an office.

In implementing this change, the Department of Revenue (DOR) is proactively working to protect Coloradans and do its part to help prevent the spread of the virus. “We are working with our customers and employees to address concerns about the virus,” said Lu Cordova, Executive Director, DOR. Mike Dixon, Senior Director, DMV., added, “We also implemented a more thorough process for cleaning our facilities and equipment to further decrease any potential exposure to the virus.”

All Coloradans are encouraged to take advantage of the DMV’s 35 online services before visiting a DMV office. Go to mydmv.colorado.gov where you will find, in addition to driver license renewals, many of the most popular services, such as:
- Request a driver record
- Pay a citation
- Pay a reinstatement fee
- Upload reinstatement documents
- Schedule an appointment
- Change license or vehicle address
- Update emergency contacts
- Check eligibility to renew by mail
- Reschedule a hearing
- Request title status
- Request duplicate title
- Apply for emissions waiver
- First-time registration
- Renew registration
- First-time disability placards
- Manage placards
- Replace tabs
- Registration fee estimator
In keeping with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people in high-risk populations, including older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, can help mitigate the risk of transmission by taking everyday precautions:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
- Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
- Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
- Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
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March 11, 2020

Gov. Polis Signs Bills Into Law

Gov. Polis signed the following bills into law yesterday.

BILL #	TITLE	SPONSORS	BILL SUMMARY
SB20-034	Statutory Revision Committee Annual Report	Sens. Moreno & Zenzinger / Reps. McKean & Arndt	Concerning a change in the date by which the statutory revision committee is required to report annually to the general assembly.
SB20-071	Permissible Uses Of State-owned Motor Vehicles	Sens. Smallwood & Fields / Reps. Michaelson Jenet & Bockenfeld	Concerning clarification regarding the use of a state-owned motor vehicle by an employee of a state agency to travel away from home.
SB20-062	Enactment of CRS 2019	Sens. Gardner & Lee / Reps. Herod & Soper	Concerning the enactment of the Colorado Revised Statutes 2019 as the positive and statutory law of the state of Colorado.
SB20-011	Commercial Vehicle VIN Vehicle Identification Number Verification Inspections	Sens. Hisey & Winter / Reps. Catlin & Valdez	Concerning permanent authorization for third-party providers to perform vehicle identification number verification inspections for commercial vehicles.

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March 10, 2020

Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19
Gov. Polis declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The declaration will help ensure resources are available to the state to combat COVID-19.

“Our top priority is protecting public health and our vulnerable populations which is why we are taking swift bold action. Our administration’s response will be guided by the science and lessons learned from the countries and states that this virus arrived in first” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will continue to be proactive and working around the clock to protect public health and safety with an eye towards preventing the need for more drastic measures that result in social disruption.”

“In order to slow the spread of the disease, some of the most effective measures we can take as a state is to test more people so that those who test positive can be isolated from the general population as we continue to stress the need for personal action such as staying home when sick, keeping their kids home when they’re sick and diligently washing your hands,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We thank everyone who has been involved with this containment effort for their tireless efforts and works to ensure the people of our state are safe.”

Details of the executive order:
- Directs Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to engage in emergency rulemaking to ensure workers in food handling, hospitality, child care, health care, and education can get paid sick leave to miss work if they exhibit flu-like symptoms and have to miss work awaiting testing results for COVID-19.
- For workers who test positive and lack access to paid leave, the Governor is directing CDLE to identify additional supports and wage replacement such as access to unemployment insurance. These steps are especially important for those who work with vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health issues. When those workers lack access to paid sick leave, it poses a great risk to our ability to protect the public.
- Directs DPA to engage in emergency rulemaking regarding state employees. The administration wants to ensure that state functions continue to run smoothly. For employees who may be put either in quarantine or isolation and can work from home, they should do so. If these workers fall ill and cannot perform their duties, they will be able to use paid leave, and the state will be flexible with that paid leave. For impacted employees who cannot work remotely, such as correctional officers, assisted living staff, etc., the administration is working to ensure paid leave options for those who are ill to ensure that those workers can continue to put food on the table while protecting public health.
- Directs the Department of Revenue to temporarily allow Coloradans over the age of 65 – a vulnerable population – to extend their driver’s licenses online to avoid having to congregate at DMVs at this time.
- Starting tomorrow, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment will be opening a drive-up lab at their facility in Lowry to test anyone who has a note from their doctor stating that they meet the criteria for testing. Let me repeat because this is important, you must still have a doctor’s order to get tested at the new drive-up lab. That facility is located at 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230.
The Governor issued the executive order verbally. The Governor encouraged the private sector of Colorado to voluntarily offer paid sick leave so that we can collectively do our part to contain the virus.

The Governor was joined by Rachel Herlihy, State Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, CDPHE, Scott Bookman, Incident Commander, CDPHE, Mike Willis, Director, Colorado Office of Emergency Management, Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Department of Labor and Employment today at the state capitol.

Yesterday, the Polis administration took action to ensure Coloradans can get tested for COVID-19 without financial fear. Last week, the Governor directed all state agencies to implement the State Emergency Operations Plan. This is a plan that the state has used in the past to respond to a variety of incidents, including natural disasters like fires and floods, and it is designed to ensure we have the resources and systems in place to respond to COVID-19.

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March 10, 2020
Arapahoe County Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19
The Arapahoe County woman in her 30s recently returned from international travel to India and lives in Centennial. This is the first presumptive positive test for a person in Arapahoe County.

“We are just learning of this positive test from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and will begin our contact investigation to determine if there were any other potential exposures,” said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department.

The case is a “presumptive positive” because the initial testing was done at the state level, and test results will be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TCHD is working closely with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to work with each family and to protect the health and safety of Coloradans.

If you are feeling ill with symptoms of cough, fever, difficulty breathing similar to those associated with COVID-19:
- Manage your symptoms at home the same way you manage other cold symptoms. We want to reduce the risk of transmission, so to the extent possible, people with flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
- If you need medical care, contact your primary care provider and schedule a visit. Let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Only contact 911 for emergencies requiring immediate life-saving care and let them know if you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
- Restrict visits to the hospital emergency room or urgent care – only individuals needing immediate care should visit these facilities. If you must visit an ER or urgent care facility, call ahead and let them know that you are concerned you might have COVID-19.
CDC’s testing guidance includes three types of people:
1. Those who have symptoms such as fever OR lower respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) and have had “close contact” with a confirmed coronavirus patient within 14 days of their first symptoms.
2. Those who have fever AND/OR lower respiratory symptoms, require hospitalization, and have traveled to areas impacted by the epidemic in the last 14 days.
3. Patients with fever and severe, acute lower respiratory symptoms who require hospitalization, and for whom no other diagnosis has been found — such as the flu. No travel or contact exposure is needed.
Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and to be prepared to shelter at home for an extended period of time, as if preparing for a major snow event.
- Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer.
- Use your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes. If you use a tissue, throw it away and promptly wash your hands.
- Stay home if you are sick, even if you think you only have the flu, a cold or allergies– and keep your children home if they are sick. Talk to your employer about their sick policy and telecommuting.
- Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information by visiting tchd.org/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/covid19.
If you have general questions about COVID-19 coronavirus disease, call the CO-HELP InfoLine at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email , for answers in English, Spanish, Chinese, and more.

On Wednesday, March 11, 7– 8:30 p.m., Douglas, Adams and Arapahoe Counties will host a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall with the opportunity to hear directly from Tri-County Health Department officials: Dr. John Douglas, executive director; Dr. Bernadette Ann Albanese, medical epidemiologist; and Michele Askenazi, MPH, CHES, the department’s director of emergency preparedness, response, and communicable disease surveillance. Tri-County Health Department serves more than 1.5 million people in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and is the largest local public health agency in the state.

The virtual town hall will be aired live from 7-8:30 p.m., on the County’s website at douglas.co.us , as well as on Douglas County’s YouTube page, and Facebook page. A Spanish translation of the event will also be available. The recorded event will be posted online following the meeting. Callers may also listen in and ask questions during the town hall by dialing 1-855-436-3656.

Tri-County Health Department officials will provide updates on the status of the virus in the three-county area. They will also provide information about proactive measures being taken to maximize community safety and other fundamental information such as: what is the transmission risk; what are the best actions individuals and businesses can take right now; and more. Virtual town hall participants may ask questions both before and during the live event and receive answers from Tri-County Health, county leaders and emergency management staff.

Residents and business owners from all three counties may immediately post questions that will help officials from each county, and from Tri-County Health, learn more about some of the most frequently asked COVID-19 questions in their communities, and to have the opportunity to research the answers before the meeting.

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March 10, 2020
One presumptive positive case of COVID-19 identified in Colorado today

DENVER, March 9, 2020: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) state lab identified one presumptive positive case of COVID-19, based on overnight testing. The state completed tests on 20 specimens that fit testing criteria.

The patient is a female in her 50s from Larimer County who has been diagnosed with pneumonia. CDPHE and local health agencies are working to gather more information, and contact any individuals who have had close contact with the patient. The investigation is just beginning and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

Se registra un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19 en Colorado

DENVER, Marzo 9, 2020: El laboratorio del Departamento de Salud y Medioambiente de Colorado (CDPHE) identificó un nuevo presunto caso de COVID-19, basado en un examen llevado a cabo en las últimas 24 horas. El estado completó 20 exámenes que cumplen con el criterio para llevar a cabo las pruebas.

La paciente es una mujer de alrededor de 50 años de edad del Condado Larimer quien ha sido diagnosticada con neumonía. CDPHE y las agencias locales de salud están trabajando para recabar más información y contactar a cualquier individuo que ha estado en contacto con la paciente. La investigación está en curso y más información será publicada tan pronto se encuentre disponible.

Manténgase informado en la página colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus

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March 9, 2020
It’s that time – Spring Ahead!

Don’t forget the time changes between 2 and 3 a.m. Sunday morning!

Image credit MGN

March 7, 2020
DON’T FORGET TO SPRING AHEAD

image credit: MGN

March 7, 2020
Delegation from France Visits State Fire Agency Facilities

March 6, 2020 – Lakewood, CO: The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) will host a delegation from France March 9-10th. The delegation requested the visit as part of France’s efforts to increase their knowledge about emerging technologies that impact the wildland fire community.

The delegates include French firefighters officers (Head of international affairs), AIRBUS personnel, THALES personnel, and representation from Nîmes metropolitan area (Openimes).

The delegation will use this visit to learn more about aerial firefighting best practices in the US and to learn about new and innovative technologies that may help with the firefight in France.

In addition to meeting with DFPCs Multi Mission Aircraft program staff at the Centennial Airport, the group will travel to Rifle to meet with the Center of Excellence to learn more about the Divisions efforts in Night Aerial Firefighting, Aerial Water Enhancer, Team Awareness Kit (TAK), and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

“We are pleased to welcome the delegates and share the programs we’ve built,” said DFPC Director, Mike Morgan. “We are fortunate to have outstanding facilities and resources, which serve as a model for other fire programs not just in Colorado, but around the world.”

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March 7, 2020
Colorado plans own testing network to detect COVID-19

DENVER (AP) — Colorado is setting up a testing network to identify coronavirus cases, officials said March 3.

Samples from patients at 12 hospitals around the state that were negative for the flu will be tested for coronavirus to help officials determine if there is possible transmission of the new virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

The number of tests to be conducted is still being evaluated, Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s communicable disease epidemiologist, told reporters.

Colorado was relying on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to conduct tests, but the state health department announced March 2 that the state now has the ability to test up to 160 samples a day at its laboratory. Results are expected within 24 hours.

Colorado is also testing specimens from patients referred by doctors and county health officials who have symptoms and have either been in contact with someone else confirmed to have the virus or have traveled to parts of the world where infection rates are high or community spread is happening. Colorado’s testing criteria is more lenient than the CDC’s because it allows people who have traveled to virus affected areas but who have not been hospitalized to still be tested, Herlihy said.

Ten state agencies are in contact with Colorado’s incident command center set up to deal with any impact from the virus outbreak, said Gov. Jared Polis.

State officials have about 650,000 face masks that will be given to caregivers and others deemed at risk of being infected with the virus, Polis said.

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March 6, 2020
Updated information on COVID-19
DENVER (March 5): Today, Gov. Polis and state health officials announced Colorado’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19, as well as a subsequent second case. Below, find the most recent information on both cases. Updates will also be made available as needed, or on a daily basis, on the Department of Public Health and Environment’s website.

Latest information on Colorado’s first case of COVID-19:
- Colorado has its first case of COVID-19. The case is considered a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. The case will be sent to the CDC for official confirmation.
- The state is acting on all “presumptive positive” cases as if they were confirmed because a quick response is essential to minimize the spread of the virus.
- The patient is an out-of-state visitor to Summit County, a male in his 30s.
- The patient traveled to Italy in mid-February. An individual who traveled with him on that trip is a known case of positive COVID-19 in another state. Upon returning from Italy, the patient spent time in his home state.
- He then traveled to Colorado on Feb. 29 via plane. He was asymptomatic when he traveled to Colorado. According to CDC, transmission from asymptomatic people is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
- The Governor’s Office has been in touch with Denver International Airport (DIA) and has shared the information that we have at this time.
- The person traveled to Summit County from DIA in a rental vehicle and met with friends. They stayed in a condo in Summit County.
- We know that he was there for outdoor recreation and that he skied at Keystone and Vail Mountain Resort.
- The Governor’s Office notified Vail Resorts late this afternoon which oversees both ski resorts the patient visited.
- On March 3, the man developed symptoms and went to St. Anthony’s Summit Medical Center in Frisco the following day.
- On March 4, in the afternoon, a specimen was taken to the lab for testing.
- Today, on March 5, the state lab received a presumptive positive result.
- For health care reasons, the patient had to be transported to lower altitudes. The patient was discharged and traveled in a private vehicle to Jefferson County wearing a mask.
- At this time, the patient is now recovering in isolation in Jefferson County.
- His close contacts in Colorado have received quarantine instructions, and a quarantine order is forthcoming.
- Public health practitioners are investigating and will attempt to notify anyone else who may have been exposed because of this case, if necessary.
Latest information on Colorado’s second case of COVID-19: We are gathering information on this case, alongside the local public health agency. Tri-County Health Department will provide greater details as appropriate and available. Tri-County Health Department is leading this case investigation and will send a press release shortly with the most up-to-date information. on the case. This case is also a “presumptive positive” because testing was conducted at the state level. CDC will confirm the test results.
- The case is an elderly female Douglas county resident.
- She returned to Colorado from international travel.
- She is currently isolated at her home per CDC guidelines.
The department continues to work closely with CDC and public health agencies across the state and is committed to protecting the health and safety of Coloradans. Health officials advise Coloradans to stay informed, take simple disease prevention measures, and prepare.
- Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer; use a tissue or your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home if you’re sick; keep your children home if they are sick. Talk to your employer about working from home if necessary.
- We advise Coloradans to always be prepared for an emergency and have a plan for your family. Coloradans can visit the CDC’s website for more information on how to create a plan.
- Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information. People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019, can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email , for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more. Coloradans can also visit the CDC and CDPHE websites for more information on best practices.
The state will provide timely updates on any additional cases that test positive at the state lab.

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March 6, 2020