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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Local News

  • Colorado Delegation Members Urge FCC to Grant Children’s Hospital Colorado Funding for Rapid Expansion of Telehealth

    Colorado Delegation Members Urge FCC to Grant Children’s Hospital Colorado Funding for Rapid Expansion of Telehealth

    Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D) and Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D), Ed Perlmutter (D), Doug Lamborn (R), Scott Tipton (R), Ken Buck (R), Jason Crow (D), and Joe Neguse (D) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and Wireline Competition Bureau Chief Kris Monteith requesting full consideration of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s application for the FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support the telehealth efforts of health care providers amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

     “[M]any of Children’s Colorado patients remain chronically ill and vulnerable, requiring ongoing access to the elevated level of care available only at Children’s Hospital…Children’s Colorado has already undertaken a massive mobilization of a novel treatment paradigm, growing their telehealth volume from an average of 20 visits per day in 2019 to an average of 1,200 per day now. Still, much more is needed. Children’s Colorado has the potential to considerably build on this momentum, extend it further to all patients who need it, and sustain that access going forward,” wrote the lawmakers.

     With new FCC funding, Children’s Hospital Colorado would be able to dramatically expand their telehealth services, enabling them to support their patients while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for themselves, their families, and their communities and reduce the use of personal protective equipment as the country faces widespread shortages.

     The lawmakers continued: “The proposed FCC funding would help limit community spread of the virus and significantly mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Colorado’s patients who are at greatest risk of poor health by implementing telehealth and other creative technological solutions to ensure continued patient access from their homes and in partnership with their community PCP.”

     “Therefore, we encourage you to give the application submitted by the Children’s Hospital Colorado every appropriate consideration consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. Thank you for your consideration, and please notify our offices of any funds awarded,” the lawmakers concluded.

     “At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we’ve gone from an average of 20 telehealth visits per day to 1,200 per day as we adapt to the novel coronavirus, but there’s so much more we can do to build on this innovation, extend it to all patients who need it, and sustain it going forward,” said Jena Hausmann, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado. “Senator Bennet and the entire Colorado delegation are champions for telehealth and other creative healthcare solutions, and we deeply appreciate their support for funding from the FCC that will help us ensure that kids in Colorado and across our region can get the care they need while remaining safe at home and limiting the risk of community spread of the virus.”

     The text of the letter is available HERE . 

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  • State of Colorado Receives Battelle System to Decontaminate Used N95 Masks

    State of Colorado Receives Battelle System to Decontaminate Used N95 Masks

    The Colorado Unified Coordination Center received a Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System that cleans and disinfects used N95 respirators for reuse. The system will be installed at the Adams County Fairgrounds in the Exhibit Hall today.   The system will be returned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) when no longer needed.

    Battelle Critical Care Decontamination Systems are self-contained, mobile decontamination units that use vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate N95 filtering facepiece respirators from biological contaminants, including SARS-CoV-2. The system can decontaminate up to 80,000 used N95 respirators per system per day, with a single respirator able to be reused up to 20 times without degradation.

    The State of Colorado is approved for two systems by the U.S. HHS  and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  A second location is being secured within the state to house the second system.

    All healthcare personnel are eligible for the free N95 decontamination, including emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, dentists and dental hygienists, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility, and persons not directly involved in patient care, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the healthcare setting (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel). Additionally, non-medical personnel participating in an emergency response due to COVID-19 also qualify as a healthcare professional under the Battelle Emergency Use Authorization.

    How to sign up:

    • To get N95 respirators cleaned, health care providers must first fill out an enrollment form at battelle.org/decon. 
    • Battelle will return an email with links to the enrollment contract, instructions and the Battelle point of contact.
    • The enrollee will be given a three-digit code, which must be written on the respirators with permanent marker.
    • The respirators need to be unsoiled, free of blood, mucus, makeup, lip balm, etc. Place all masks into a single plastic bag and tie off the bag when it is full. Any soiled masks will be thrown out. The bag must be placed into a second plastic bag that should be wiped down with disinfectant. 
    • The respirators must be placed into a shipping box and labeled with the three-digit code and a biohazard sticker.
    • The enrollee contacts a shipper to coordinate pickup and delivery. 

    Follow the step-by-step process of how to submit respirators for decontamination.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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  • Unemployment Benefits Now Being Paid After Dela

    (DENVER) — Today during a weekly press call, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) updated that there was a one day delay in paying benefit payments for those people who requested payment on their claims on April 19th. Benefits are usually made within 72 hours of the benefit payment request. The delay also included the $600/week federal benefits available to all paid claimants under the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) program. Benefits have now started to be deposited in those claimant accounts. We will continue to update claimants via email, website updates and media advisories on any future impacts, though it appears the errors causing the delay have been addressed. 

    Today’s press call is available here

    The press call also included updates on the new online application launched Monday to accept Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims from self-employed, gig workers and those otherwise not eligible for regular unemployment due to COVID-19.  Since Monday, the new application has received more than 51,000 applications for these benefits. 

     

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  • Peak Vista Community Health Centers Expands Operations to Continue Meeting Health Care Needs

    East Central Region, Colo. – Community Health Centers (CHC’s) play a critical role in the nationwide response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) continues to do our part to provide health care access for the Pikes Peak and East Central regions.

     “In this time of confusion, there is hope and we are here to help,” comments President and CEO, Pam McManus. “Peak Vista’s commitment has never been stronger. We commend our staff, and the many other community providers, who have worked tirelessly to be able to provide this critically needed testing and treatment for COVID-19 patients in our rural communities.”

     To ensure that patients have access to necessary care, Peak Vista has extended services to include medical and behavioral health care services through ‘telehealth’. Patients are now able to schedule a ‘telehealth’ appointment to address any concern by phone or video, all from the comfort of their own home. Peak Vista’s East Central region locations are all providing COVID-19 testing for symptomatic patients. Patients are encouraged to call the location near them to schedule an appointment or inquire about COVID-19 testing:

     Peak Vista’s Health Center at Kiowa: (720) 389-9763

    Peak Vista’s Health Center at Limon: (719) 775-2367

    Peak Vista’s Health Center at Strasburg: (303) 622-9237

     Peak Vista remains open for in-person care, as well. “We feel it is our responsibility and our mission to share our expertise and contribute however we can support patients during this crisis,” comments Chief Medical and Dental Officer, Dr. Lisa Ramey.

     Peak Vista is accepting new patients at this time. To schedule an appointment or to enroll as a new patient, please call the location near you or visit peakvista.org. Our Peak Vista team will help establish the appropriate appointment; telephone, video or in-person, based on the patient’s needs.

     About Peak Vista Community Health Centers

    Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization providing exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. Established in 1971, Peak Vista offers primary medical, integrated behavioral health, and dental care services. We proudly serve over 94,000 patients annually through 26 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit peakvista.org.

     

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  • Pence going to Colorado for Air Force Academy graduation

    Pence going to Colorado for Air Force Academy graduation

    Vice President Mike Pence will travel to the Air Force Academy for its pared down commencement ceremony Saturday to address graduating cadets in person, not by video as originally planned.

    Pence’s office announced his travel plans Tuesday and said additional details would be released later.

    The event usually attracts a big crowd to Falcon Stadium and ends with a traditional aerobatics demonstration by the Air Force Thunderbirds. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, the academy is closed to visitors and no spectators, including family, will be allowed at this year’s ceremony, which will only last about 30 minutes.

    The Thunderbirds will only perform a flyover. Cadets will march 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart and sit 8 feet (2.4 meters) apart during the event.

    Cadets will not march up to receive their diplomas and the typical high-fives and hugs are banned, The Gazette reported.

    Lower classes were sent home to take online classes because of the outbreak. Seniors remained but the date of their graduation was moved up.

    The academy initially announced last week that Secretary of the Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett would address the cadets in person and that there would be a video message from Pence.

     

     

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  • Arapahoe County Fairgrounds transformed to alternate care medical facility

    Arapahoe County Fairgrounds transformed to alternate care medical facility

    Littleton, CO—April 15, 2020—The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds have been converted to a tier 4 alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients to help alleviate crowding at regional hospitals. The temporary facility will host cases that don’t require acute or critical care. Upon opening, the site can hold 54 individuals and can increase capacity up to 150 if the need arises. The medical shelter is the product of a multi-agency response team that completed the transformation in a matter of days with the help of the Colorado National Guard.

     The alternate care facility does not accept walk-up patients and is not a hospital. Rather, the facility operates as a medical shelter and is best suited for those patients who are ready to return to their original housing situation but are unable to do so because of their circumstances. Local hospitals will make direct referrals for guests to the facility. The temporary alternate care facility is being managed by the Arapahoe County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), with paramedics and medical students providing care and observation for recovering guests.

     “We are grateful to have the expertise and resources to provide this much-needed facility for Arapahoe County,” said Nancy Sharpe, chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Reducing patient loads on our hospitals means that those who need critical care can get it, and the temporary facility will provide observation and care for individuals recovering from the disease.”

     The Emergency Operations Center—which operates under the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office—is managing the County’s response to the pandemic, working in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners, Tri-County Health Department, state and local officials. The EOC coordinates resources, implements emergency operations and handles logistics support for law enforcement and municipalities across the County.

     Building on established emergency plans, the EOC outfitted the facility, relocating existing supplies such as durable medical equipment and beds from across the County. Local municipalities and nonprofits also donated to support the facility, including use of a shower trailer donated by the nonprofit Aurora Warms the Night. The EOC also finalized contracts with local businesses for feeding, linens, sanitizer stations, janitorial services and security.

     Assisting with the transformation of the site was the South Metro Fire District, Sable Altura Fire Department, the Colorado National Guard, Xcel Energy, Rocky Vista University and Concorde Career College. “Arapahoe County is fortunate to have amazing partnerships in place to assist with our COVID-19 response. The skill, ability, and resourcefulness of our partners allowed us to convert this building to an alternate care facility in record time,” said Nate Fogg, the County’s emergency manager. “Their contributions are monumental and important for our efforts to maintain the health and safety of all Arapahoe County citizens.” 

     

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  • PUC to take public comment on Xcel Energy time-of-use electric rate proposal

    PUC to take public comment on Xcel Energy time-of-use electric rate proposal

    DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will conduct a remote public comment hearing on Thursday, April 16, on a proposal by Xcel Energy to permanently implement time-of-use (TOU) electric rates for its residential customers.

    The public comment hearing will begin at 4 p.m. and last no later than 6 p.m. Individuals who wish to provide public comments during the public hearing may do so either by telephone or computer. Detailed instructions on how to participate by phone or computer can be found in the decision setting the public comment hearing.

    Xcel’s proposal, filed on Dec. 2, would make a modified TOU rate schedule the default rate schedule for all residential customers once Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter deployment is completed in their area. The company said it plans to start deployment of smart meters in the second quarter of 2021, and have all residential meters swapped out by the end of 2024.

    Since 2017, Xcel has been conducting a large-scale trial for a voluntary TOU service rate schedule called Residential Energy Time-of-Use. TOU customers in the trial program would migrate to the new schedule when it becomes effective, which is proposed to be Jan. 1, 2021.

    Based on what the company has learned from the residential TOU trial, Xcel has proposed a modified TOU rate schedule that is designed to encourage residential customers to shift their summer energy usage away from periods when electricity demand is greatest, which is when system costs as well as fossil fuel generation and associated carbon dioxide emissions are at their highest.

    In addition to creating the opportunity for customers to reduce their bills by moving their energy usage to off-peak periods, reductions in load as a result of changes in customer behavior in response to the price signals established in the modified TOU rates can help reduce carbon emissions on (Xcel’s) system, according to the company’s filing.

    If approved by the PUC, the proposed TOU rates would replace summer tiered rates for Xcel customers in Colorado. The current tiered rate schedule focuses pricing on the amount of energy customers use, regardless of what time of the day that energy is used. TOU rates can assist in informing customers that at certain times of the day it costs more or less to deliver the energy they are using.

    As proposed, the On-Peak rate would apply from 3-7 p.m. each weekday (except holidays) June through September. Off-Peak rates would stay in effect for most of the year (October to May), plus summer weekends and holidays.

    An evidentiary hearing on the proposal is scheduled June 16-19 at the PUC. A decision is expected later this summer.

    Members of the public may also submit written comments about the proposal by using the PUC’s on-line comment form at www.dora.state.co.us/pacific/puc/puccomments under proceeding number 19AL-0687E.

     

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  • CU Boulder inventories, donates 130,000 pieces of PPE for health care workers, first responders

    CU Boulder inventories, donates 130,000 pieces of PPE for health care workers, first responders

    A half-dozen volunteers outside of CU Boulder’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) building began piling a mountain of boxes into two pickup trucks and a moving truck Friday afternoon. 

    The load: a whole lot of help from nearly 40 campus units.

    Across the country, health care professionals have pleaded for necessary supplies to respond to a pandemic that’s far outstripping their resources. The shortfall of so-called personal protective equipment (PPE) has left those workers in danger of becoming ill from COVID-19 as they treat patients. A lack of testing or vaccine has resulted in a virtual shut down of communities in an effort to flatten the curve, or slow the spread of coronavirus as it spreads around the globe. 

    CU Boulder joined an array of relief and supply efforts last week with a donation of more than 130,000 pieces of PPE. Dozens of departments, units and labs across campus donated gloves, N-95 masks, face shields, shoe covers and other PPE.

    The donation went to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management (OEM), which will distribute the supplies to health care providers, long-term care facilities and first responders throughout the county.

    “These donations far exceeded my expectations,” said Garry DeJong, director of campus emergency management. “Coupled with our researchers and engineers working on ways to keep people safe and finding ways to fight COVID-19, CU Boulder is making a sizable impact in this historic moment.”

    PPE is regularly used throughout CU Boulder’s campus for research and other purposes from chemical labs to University Libraries.

    DeJong led the charge alongside EHS Director Brandon Boger. Their teams worked for weeks soliciting donations across campus and creating an inventory. The donations equate to roughly 98% of the campus’ PPE. The remainder is being reserved for campus health care providers and essential workers. In alignment with Centers for Disease Control guidance, workers whose job duties do not require an N-95 mask are encouraged to wear homemade cloth masks.

    “We were hoping for five to ten departments to donate a few items,” said DeJong. 

    “Once the word got out about the donations drive, the CU partners just continually kept stepping up.”

    Mike Chard, director of the Boulder Office of Emergency Management, said he was extremely grateful.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous pressure on our health care systems, long-term care facilities and first responders,” Chard said. “Being able to keep the supply of medical and PPE at an essential service level preserves health care and government services and protects staff.”

    Margie Hunter, assistant to the director of EHS, was involved in coordinating and documenting the campus donations. Hunter and a small group of coworkers watched as emails rolled in from departments around campus looking to put their PPE to good use.

    “I think we all want to step up when a crisis occurs, but don’t always know what to do to help,” Hunter said. “I feel that this process gave each of us that measure of satisfaction and gratitude that we were doing something that would make a difference for those first responders and the medical personnel who are facing this thing firsthand.”

    Broader efforts

    Other faculty, staff and students have jumped into the fight as well. 

    Engineering faculty and students are 3D-printing key parts of protective face shields.

    Daniel Larremore, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and in the BioFrontiers Institute, is using Facebook data to track the virus’ spread, and perhaps predict where it could go in the coming weeks.

    The BioFrontiers Institute, the College of Engineering & Applied Science, the Sustainability, Energy & Environment Lab (SEEL) and other campus units also worked in the early stages of the pandemic to get respirators, sterilization ovens and other PPE to Boulder County Health officials.

    Community needs

    For students, faculty, staff and friends of CU Boulder looking to donate or give back to the community, you can find more via the new Buffs Together initiative.

    The state is organizing giving and volunteer opportunities through Help Colorado Now.

     

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  • Construction firm settles Denver center bid-rigging claims

    Construction firm settles Denver center bid-rigging claims

    DENVER — A construction company settled bid-rigging claims in a Denver convention center expansion project with a promise of a state payment and a component aimed at helping the response to the coronavirus pandemic, the state attorney general said Monday.

    Mortenson Construction is expected to pay $650,000 to the state and has agreed to donate construction services on a yet-to-be-determined project related to COVID-19, The Denver Post reports.

    Mortenson’s donated work and materials must be worth at least the same amount as the fine, making the antitrust settlement’s value at least $1.3 million.

    Attorney General Phil Weiser announced the first major resolution in Denver’s bidding scandal in a statement Monday.

    The city halted its planned $233 million rooftop expansion project at the Colorado Convention Center in December 2018 when Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced officials had fired project management firm Trammell Crow Co.

    Hancock cited evidence that Trammell Crow shared project-related information improperly with Mortenson, one of three bidders. Minneapolis-based Mortenson denied the allegations but President and CEO Dan Johnson acknowledged the company “did not meet our own expectations.”

    The firm resolved the convention center claim “without adjudication or finding of liability,” but Mortenson’s involvement ” was neither consistent with who we are as a company nor our longstanding reputation,” Johnson said Monday.

    The company agreed in a separate settlement with Denver in July that it would not bid on any city projects until at least March 2021, but the attorney general’s office continued with criminal and civil investigations.

    The investigation of Dallas-based Trammell Crow is ongoing, Weiser’s office said.

    “The silver lining is Coloradans will benefit from additional resources to respond to needs we have from the COVID-19 pandemic in our state,” Weiser said.

    For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

     

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  • COVID-19 HR Open Session for Unemployment Questions

    April 15, 2020 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Online

    Join Tina Todd of simplyHR to discuss frequently asked Questions about State Unemployment Insurance, layoffs, and the tough choices as you navigate the quickly changing COVID-19 landscape.

    Tina will outline provisions of the CARES Act as it pertains to Unemployment and the differences between layoff, temporary layoff, furlough, and the different unemployment programs.

    Tina will also be reviewing best practices and current updates related to COVID-19.

    Please register using the link below. Once registered, you will be emailed an access link for Wednesday’s webinar.

    https://eastcoloradosbdc.com/hr-open-session-for-unemployment-questions-covid-19/

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