More than 69,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Colorado since the virus was first detected in March.
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, Oct. 4
3:53 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. today.
73,076 cases (+521)
7,673 hospitalized (+7)
64 counties (+0)
950,759 people tested (+8,420)
1,430,540 test encounters (+16,204)
2,068 deaths among cases (+8)
1,968 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
798 outbreaks (+1)
The latest hospital data showed 303 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients, with 56% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Saturday's three-day positivity rate was 3.52%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Saturday, Oct. 3
4 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. today.
72,555 cases (+657)
7,666 hospitalized (+13)
64 counties (+0)
942,339 people tested (+9,425)
1,414,336 test encounters (+17,990)
2,060 deaths among cases (+3)
1,968 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
797 outbreaks (+7)
The latest hospital data showed 296 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients, with 80% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Friday's three-day positivity rate was 3.51%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Friday, Oct. 2
4 p.m. | Colorado COVID-19 hospitalizations remain above 200
The number of patients in Colorado currently hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 today rose to 219 on Friday, according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The CDPHE says the increase in hospitalizations follows a large increase in cases that began in mid-September.
71,898 cases (+680)
7,653 hospitalized (+74)
64 counties (+0)
932,914 people tested (+10,682)
1,396,346 test encounters (+19,426)
2,057 deaths among cases (+3)
1,968 deaths due to COVID-19 (+6)
790 outbreaks (+12)
The latest hospital data showed 304 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients – 19 more than Thursday with 20 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 85% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Thursday's three-day positivity rate was 3.34%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
1:36 p.m. | Water World testing site open through end of year
Adams County announced Friday that the COVID-19 testing site at Water World in Federal Heights will be open through Dec. 31 and will have hours extended into the evening.
Starting Sunday, the site will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be able to test up to 1,500 people per day at no cost.
The site, located at 8801 N. Pecos Street, can be accessed from W. 90th Ave. near N. Tejon Street.
People do not have to register but are urged to do so to get through the testing lines faster. People can pre-register by clicking here.
The MAKO Medical tests generally see results turned around within 2-4 days.
“Our hope is the community will take advantage of the expanded evening hours and get tested during this critical time in the fight to slow the spread of this virus,” said Adams County Commissioner and Board Chair, Emma Pinter. “With schools, colleges, and many businesses open, and more movement in the community, we encourage our residents and their families to get a free COVID test to help keep our community as healthy and safe as possible.”
1:20 p.m. | Gov. Polis COVID-19 update
At a news conference at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Gov. Jared Polis said he expressed his best wishes and a speedy recovery on behalf of Colorado for everyone affected by the White House COVID-19 outbreak, including the president and First Lady.
He also offered condolences to the family of Ricky Fulton, 58, a Colorado firefighter pilot who died late last month when his plane crashed while fighting a fire in Idaho.
Pols said that hitting 200 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state for the first time since early August was cause for concern, and he urged people to continue to wear masks and social distance properly.
“We need to really bear down here, Colorado,” the governor said.
Officials from the Office of Economic Development and International Trade and Department of Local Affairs, as well as Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, touted their efforts for small businesses, coronavirus response and housing stability in the area.
5:28 a.m. | CU Boulder moving testing sites indoor to prepare for inclement fall weather
Starting Monday, Oct. 5, The University of Colorado Boulder will move their testing sites to new locations to improve efficiency and prepare for any inclement fall weather.
The last day for testing at old locations is Friday. CU Boulder said the equipment will move inside the new locations, but sample donations will still be collected outside for safety.
The four new sites open Monday through Friday include:
- Folsom Field on the east concourse of Gate 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- CU Events Center at the ticket windows on west side of the building's stairs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Village Center Dining and Community Commons East Entrance from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Williams Village North in Room 107 at the entrance on the southeast corner of the building from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students living in the dorms and employees required to be monitored can schedule appointments for the above locations for Monday.
CU Boulder will also expand their on-campus monitoring testing program to offer walk-in testing to any CU Boulder student living off campus, as well as faculty and staff who aren't required to be monitored. These testing sites available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. include:
- University Memorial Center on the north side near fountain court with a maximum of 450 tests per day.
- SEEC at the south entrance breezeway between SEEC and SEEL with a maximum of 150 tests per day.
These tests will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and the testing sites will close for the day once they reach capacity.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 30, the campus has performed 27,605 monitoring tests, with a total of 1,010 referrals for diagnostic testing.
Thursday, Oct. 1
4 p.m. | Colorado COVID-19 hospitalizations reach more than 200 for the first time since August
The total number of patients in Colorado currently hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 today rose to 200 for the first time since Aug. 9, according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The CDPHE says the increase in hospitalizations follows a large increase in cases that began in mid-September.
71,218 cases (+682)
7,579 hospitalized (+11)
64 counties (+0)
922,232 people tested (+10,806)
1,376,920 test encounters (+19,761)
2,054 deaths among cases (+3)
1,962 deaths due to COVID-19 (+2)
778 outbreaks (+8)
The latest hospital data showed 282 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients – 18 more than Wednesday with 85% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Wednesday's three-day positivity rate was 3.17%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.
7:30 a.m. | Latest unemployment numbers
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) reported 4,840 initial unemployment claims filed during the week ending in Sept. 26. In the same week, 2,413 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims were filed.
The CDLE has received a total of 563,465 regular unemployment initial claims with a total of 725,919 claims including federal PUA benefits.
The Department also paid a total of $311 million in Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) unemployment benefits. LWA is a federally-funded program that provides up to six weeks of additional benefits to all claimants who were eligible for unemployment benefits for the weeks of July 26 to Sept. 5 and who were eligible for at least $100 per week in unemployment.
For the week ending Sept. 19, a combined total of 238,326 continued claims were filed, including 143,177 from regular UI, 64,066 from PUA, and 31,083 from Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
5:57 p.m. | University of Denver suspends 38 swimming and diving athletes from team activities
Thirty-eight students on the University of Denver’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were suspended this week from all team activities after they attended a large off-campus party that violated state, local and university policies.
The university said in an email Wednesday to the DU community that all 38 students will have to get tested again for COVID-19 and will be restricted in how they can move around until at least the time they receive negative results.
DU said that the students will not be able to participate in any team activities for the rest of the fall quarter and will face possible discipline after the Student Rights and Responsibilities process, which could include further suspension.
Chancellor Jeremy Haefner said in the letter that there can be no large gatherings until COVID-19 is “no longer a threat to our community” and that gatherings must be limited to 10 or fewer people, with mask-wearing and social distancing measures in place. He also warned of continued discipline if students do not follow the rules.
“We will continue to swiftly pursue disciplinary action if members of our community disregard the protocols and public health orders designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Haefner wrote. “We can’t have anyone in our community believe they don’t need to abide by DU’s, the city’s or the state’s COVID-19 restrictions while the rest of the community is working so hard to have protocols in place intended to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Click here to read the full story.
4 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. today.
70,536 cases (+511)
7,568 hospitalized (+10)
64 counties (+0)
911,426 people tested (+9,184)
1,357,159 test encounters (+15,979)
2,051 deaths among cases (+5)
1,960 deaths due to COVID-19 (+8)
770 outbreaks (+22)
The latest hospital data showed 264 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients, with 87% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Tuesday's three-day positivity rate was 3.17%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
2:25 p.m. | Outbreak at Kremmling assisted living facility
Grand County Public Health says that nine residents and staffers at Cliffview Assisted Living Facility in Kremmling have tested positive for COVID-19 and there are still “a few tests” pending.
The health department says it has started the case investigation process and will be notifying people identified as close contacts of the people who have tested positive. GCPH is working with Middle Park Health on the investigation and response.
"Public Health has prepared for the possibility of an outbreak happening in congregate care settings, and we have provided clear guidance for facilities in responding and controlling the spread of illness," Grand County Public Health Director Brene Belew-LaDue said. "We are working closely with the facilities now to care for residents and staff."
6:45 a.m. | CSU wastewater testing for COVID-19 allows school to lift quarantine
All students in Colorado State University's Summit and Braiden Halls who tested negative from COVID-19 tests last week are no longer in quarantine, the school announced Tuesday.
CSU identified since Wednesday, Sept. 23:
- 6 students tested positive in Braiden Hall and have been moved to isolation spaces on campus
- 3 students tested positive in Summit Hall and have been moved to isolation spaces on campus
On Sept. 25, CSU placed several hundred students who live in the halls under a mandatory quarantine after the university detected significantly high levels of COVID-19 during the latest round of wastewater testing.
Since then, wastewater results dropped from high levels of COVID-19 detection in these two halls.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
4 p.m. | Latest coronavirus numbers
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. today.
70,025 cases (+535)
7,558 hospitalized (+28)
64 counties (+0)
902,242 people tested (+7,249)
1,341,180 test encounters (+14,538)
2,046 deaths among cases (+2)
1,952 deaths due to COVID-19 (+7)
748 outbreaks (+10)
The latest hospital data showed 268 beds in use by COVID-19 or suspect COVID-19 patients, 22 more than Monday, with 90% of facilities reporting data in the last 24 hours. Monday's three-day positivity rate was 3.46%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
9:45 a.m. | Pepsi Center testing site closes Wednesday
Denver's Pepsi Center COVID-19 testing site closes Wednesday as officials shift the focus more toward smaller community testing sites. The Pepsi Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and city officials are encouraging residents and college students to take advantage of the final day. Like the Pepsi Center site, the community testing sites will provide free, low-barrier testing to anyone who needs it.
Here's the full list of community testing sites in Denver.
Monday, Sept. 28
10:05 p.m. | MLS and Colorado Rapids confirm additional COVID-19 positive cases
Major League Soccer today confirmed that one additional Colorado Rapids player and seven more members of the club’s staff received confirmed positive tests for COVID-19. Today’s announcement follows the postponement of the Sept. 27 match between Colorado and Sporting Kansas City to allow for additional testing due to confirmed COVID-19 positive cases within the Rapids organization.
4:12 p.m. | Latest Colorado coronavirus data
Here were the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Monday, with the change from Sunday in parentheses:
69,490 cases (+411)
7,530 hospitalized (+27)
64 counties (+0)
894,996 people tested (+6,457)
1,326,642 test encounters (+13,239)
2,044 deaths among cases (+3)
1,945 deaths due to COVID-19 (+5)
738 outbreaks (+2)
Monday's hospital data showed 246 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients, with 79% of facilities reporting data. Sunday's three-day positivity rate was 3.35%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.
1:30 p.m. | Three Douglas County high schools going remote for two weeks
Three Doulgas County high schools are going to remote classes for two weeks: Mountain Vista, Castle View and Douglas County.
The total number of COVID-19 cases at those schools was not available, though district officials have notified parents of two cases at Castle View in the last week, three cases at Douglas County, and three at Mountain Vista.
12:18 p.m. | Modified Boulder public health order allows people aged 18-22 to gather in groups of two
People aged 18-22 in Boulder will be able to gather in groups of two, rather than no groups at all, after the county health department modified its public health order Monday.
Boulder County Public Health said the changes were made because of feedback from the community that included young adults saying they did not always feel safe while alone and asks for more provisions for legal activities and people with disabilities, the health department said.
Under the modified public health order, people aged 18-22 can now gather in groups of two, but must follow social distancing requirements when possible and abide by other public health orders. Previously, people among that age group were not allowed to gather in groups of any sort.
The health department says that students concerned about walking alone on campus can contact CU police at 303-492-6666 and can download the Guardian app and designate a friend or family member as a guardian who can track their movements.
The amended order also allows for people living at 36 addresses identified by the health department as repeatedly violating public health orders – who were ordered to stay at their residence at all times except for medical care, solo outside exercise, and getting food and medical supplies – to leave the property “for Essential Activities and Essential Travel or as required by law.”
“This will allow students to leave their residence to move their car to avoid parking tickets, for example,” the county health department said.
The health department has also created an exemption process for people living in the properties ordered to stay at home, though the department says people will have to show they are experiencing financial hardship because of the order, that they have a job and that they are now less likely to be contagious with COVID-19 following a positive test result in the past 90 days.
“Designation as an ‘essential worker’ is not sufficient reason to be granted an exemption, nor is a negative test for the COVID-19 virus,” the health department said.
Students with questions can contact the health department at 720-776-0822. The order remains in effect until noon on Oct. 8 unless it is extended by the health department.
Click here to read the full story.
8 a.m. | Reminder: Aurora, Denver to close large-scale testing to focus on community testing sites soon
Only a few days remain until the Pepsi Center and Aurora Sports Park close for COVID-19 testing.
The Pepsi Center will shut down all of its lanes on Wednesday. The Aurora Sports Park will close Oct. 5.
Wondering what the future of testing looks like in your community? Ivan Rodriguez explains it here.
Click here for the COVID-19 blog from Sept. 21-27, 2020.
