More than 532,300 people in Colorado have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 29,200 have been hospitalized as of Monday afternoon, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
READ MORE: List of Colorado businesses that are open
Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Below, we're updating this blog with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Colorado.
Latest updates:
Sunday, May 23
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Sunday, with the change from Saturday in parentheses:
537,401 cases (+432)
29,790 hospitalized (+11)
64 counties (+0)
3,028,653 tested (+3,627)
8,413,779 test encounters (+19,455)
6,505 deaths among cases (+2)
6,632 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
5,344 outbreaks (+5)
The latest hospital data showed 573 beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 3.30%. Colorado's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Sunday, 2,932,487 people in Colorado had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,477,393 have been fully immunized.
Saturday, May 22
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Saturday, with the change from Friday in parentheses:
536,969 cases (+841)
29,779 hospitalized (+99)
64 counties (+0)
3,025,026 tested (+4,769)
8,394,324 test encounters (+39,178)
6,503 deaths among cases (+6)
6,632 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
5,339 outbreaks (+0)
The latest hospital data showed 588 beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 3.40%. Colorado's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Saturday, 2,918,676 people in Colorado had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,462,839 have been fully immunized.
Friday, May 21
11:15 p.m. | Weld County offering vaccine clinic at next week's Friday Fest
A COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held next week at Friday Fest in downtown Greeley.
The clinic will be held on May 28 and requires no appointment. Anyone 18-years-old or older can walk up to the DDA Office at 802 9th Street, Suite 100, Greeley from 6-10 p.m. Health officials will provide the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at no cost.
The clinic is being held through a partnership with the Weld County Health Department and the Greeley Downtown Development Authority.
For questions about the Friday Fest vaccine clinic, call (970) 304-6420.
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Friday, with the change from Thursday in parentheses:
536,128 cases (+812)
29,680 hospitalized (+78)
64 counties (+0)
3,020,257 tested (+4,541)
8,355,146 test encounters (+23,591)
6,497 deaths among cases (+19)
6,632 deaths due to COVID-19 (+14)
5,339 outbreaks (+10)
The latest hospital data showed 588 beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, 31 more than Thursday. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 3.84%. Colorado's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Friday, 2,899,383 people in Colorado had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,440,115 have been fully immunized.
Thursday, May 20
10:15 p.m. | Nearly 3,000 12-15 year-olds vaccinated in Larimer County
The Larimer Health Department says 19% of the county's 12-15-year-olds have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This comes after just one week of being eligible. In total, 2,771 kids age 12-15 have received one dose.
4:58 p.m. | Masks no longer required at Rockies homes games beginning Friday
Beginning May 21, masks will no longer be required at Coors Field for Colorado Rockies home games.
The organization says masks are still encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated.
For more details on on Coors Field policies and protocols, visit here.
4:21 p.m. | Boulder County amends, extends face covering order
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) announced Thursday it was amending and extending its face covering order until June 10.
The amendment requires that masks continue to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status, for schools, childcare and health care settings, on public transportation and congregate care facilities in Boulder County.
The state mask order is set to expire for all indoor facilities beginning June 1, but Boulder County’s will continue until June 10 for the above facilities.
Businesses may still require masks.
BCPH recommends, but does not require, anyone 2 and up continue wearing masks in public if not fully vaccinated.
4 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Thursday, with the change from Wednesday in parentheses:
535,316 cases (+952)
29,602 hospitalized (+74)
64 counties (+0)
3,015,716 tested (+5,371)
8,331,555 test encounters (+29,503)
6,478 deaths among cases (+6)
5,706 deaths due to COVID-19 (+26)
5,329 outbreaks (+16)
The latest hospital data showed 557 beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, three fewer than Wednesday. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 4.45%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Thursday, 2,870,638 people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado, and 2,414,897 people have been fully vaccinated.
1:45 p.m. | Polis gives COVID-19 update
Gov. Jared Polis and state health officials gave an update on COVID-19 in Colorado, including vaccination efforts for children ages 12-15, as the highest case rates for COVID-19 are among younger teens. Polis also said the state is making a change to its vaccine distribution protocols, allowing distributors to open full vials of the vaccine, even if there aren't enough people signed up to receive the vaccine. Polis said the new protocol is aimed at not missing an opportunity to vaccinate someone who wants it.
Watch the full update here:
7:30 a.m. | Colorado unemployment numbers
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) reported Thursday that an estimated 4,132 regular initial unemployment claims were filed during the week ending May 15. There were also 712 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) initial claims filed for the same week.
Since mid-March 2020, an estimated total of 935,203 regular initial unemployment claims have been filed for a grand total of 1,205,142 claims, when the PUA program is included.
For the week ending on May 8, the number of continued weeks requested totaled 188,427. That includes the following totals by UI program:
- Regular UI: 58,324
- PUA: 50,976
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): 79,127
CDLE estimates those continued claims were filed by approximately 160,984 individuals (54,690 for regular UI; 40,518 for PUA, and 65,776 for PEUC).
3:40 a.m. | RTD still requires masks
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) says masks remain required on public transit through Sept. 13, per federal mandate. This rule is still in place, despite recent changes in federal and state guidance related to masks.
RTD requires its customers and operators to wear masks while waiting for and while riding on the agency’s system.
“Recent reports over the past days and weeks about masks no longer being required in certain settings and environments are encouraging. However, face coverings must still be worn while waiting for or using public transportation, as mandated by the Transportation Security Administration,” said General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “Like its peer agencies across the country, RTD remains focused on employee and customer safety and continues to adhere to the TSA mandate.”
Wednesday, May 19
7:31 p.m. | Colorado program would pay certain unemployed people up to $1,600 if they get a full-time job
Colorado wants to pay people up to $1,600 to get back to working full time this summer through a program the governor is calling the “Colorado Jumpstart Incentive.”
The program aims to get people who are currently still unemployed back to work, but some people will not be eligible even if they are still collecting unemployment. The program was created through an executive order announced Wednesday by Gov. Jared Polis.
“In March 2021, Colorado’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from February at 6.4% and the labor market recovery has been slow. Job openings continue to outpace hiring throughout the State,” the order says. “I understand that starting a new job takes resources, like transportation, child care, and clothing, so the payments in this Executive Order will provide Coloradans with these resources to return to the workforce more quickly and assist with the statewide economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Gig workers who receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, people on workshare programs, and people who have moved out of state but are still collecting Colorado unemployment will not be eligible to apply for the incentive.
If a person does not apply to those groups, there are other restrictions as well. To be eligible, a person must have received at least one week of at least $25 or more in unemployment benefits between March 28 and May 16 and must have already verified their identities through ID.me.
Polis said in a statement that he hopes the program can financially help people who have been struggling to find a new job.
“We know that getting back to work doesn’t mean all the financial challenges Coloradans are facing just disappear, and we want to ensure that as more people are returning to the workforce, we are setting them up for success,” he said.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment says the full $1,600 incentive will be offered for people who return to full-time work between May 16 and June 26. People who return to work full time between May 30 and June 26 and stay employed for eight weeks or more will be eligible for $1,200.
According to a fact sheet from the department, the process will work as such: A Coloradan would get hired for a full-time job. They would log in to their MyUI+ account and answer yes to the question asking if they have returned to work full time.
If the person answers “yes” to that question, they will be asked if they want to participate in the program. Another “yes” answer would take the person to another screen, where they will have to provide information about their new job and wages.
The CDLE says after that, the first half of the incentive money would be paid approximately four weeks later, with the second half coming another four weeks after that if the person remains employed.
The CDLE’s website says it is working to implement the program within MyUI+ and that people should be able to start opting in on Sunday. It also says that if a person reopens their unemployment claim within eight weeks of opting in, they will forfeit any yet-unpaid incentive payments. People will not be able to appeal a disqualification.
The executive order says the money for the program will come from the Coronavirus Relief Fund reallocated from the state department of public health to the CDLE.
Click here to read the full story.
4:30 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
The latest COVID-19 data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shows current hospitalizations have continued to trend down since a peak on May 8 while newly reported cases jumped to above 1,000 for the first time this week.
534,364 cases (+1,245)
29,528 hospitalized (+92)
64 counties (+0)
3,010,345 people tested (+5,997)
8,302,052 test encounters (+31,387)
6,472 deaths among cases (+16)
6,592 deaths due to COVID-19 (+10)
5,313 outbreaks (+52)
The latest hospital data showed 560 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized, 5 fewer than Tuesday. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 4.35%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Wednesday, 2,852,242 people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,394,141 people have been fully vaccinated.
11:09 a.m. | King Soopers drops mask mandate for fully vaccinated customers starting Thursday
Fully vaccinated customers won’t be required to wear a mask at King Soopers locations across Colorado starting Thursday.
Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers, announced the policy change for fully vaccinated customers late Wednesday morning.
Starting Thursday, May 20, fully vaccinated customers and most fully vaccinated associates will no longer need to wear a mask at Kroger facilities, including stores, distribution centers, plants, and offices, unless otherwise required by state or local jurisdiction, the statement from the company reads.
Non-vaccinated employees and those working in pharmacy and clinic locations will still be required to wear a mask, the company said.
In their statement, Kroger said it would continue to request that non-vaccinated customers continue to wear a mask, and added they would "continue to respect the choice of individuals who prefer to continue to wear a mask."
Tuesday, May 18
4:15 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
The latest COVID-19 data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shows the number of new cases continues below 1,000 this week, as hospitalizations also continue to show a downward trend.
533,119 cases (+730)
29,436 hospitalized (+196)
64 counties (+0)
3,004,348 people tested (+3,372)
8,270,665 test encounters (+11,336)
6,456 deaths among cases (+6)
6,582 deaths due to COVID-19 (+10)
5,261 outbreaks (+15)
The latest hospital data showed 565 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized, 13 fewer than Monday. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 4.39%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Tuesday, 2,837,229 people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,374,556 people have been fully vaccinated.
Monday, May 17
4:30 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers
Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Monday, with the change from Sunday in parentheses:
532,389 cases (+689)
29,240 hospitalized (+24)
64 counties (+0)
3,000,976 people tested (+4,005)
8,259,329 test encounters (+17,153)
6,450 deaths among cases (+0)
6,572 deaths due to COVID-19 (+10)
5,246 outbreaks (+3)
The latest hospital data showed 578 beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, 31 fewer than Sunday. Colorado's seven-day average positivity rate is 4.47%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
As of Monday, 2,823,103 people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,356,402 people have been fully vaccinated.
Click here for the COVID-19 live blog for May 10-May 16, 2021.
