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‘Roadmap’ points Colorado in direction of health care equity, improved data sharing
New state objectives are in place to expand the digital tools and technologies that support Colorado health care services. The state’s Office of eHealth Innovation released this week a refreshed Colorado Health Information Technology Roadmap, a framework for leveraging technology to address gaps in the state’s health care systems. “We’ve taken a really critical look […]
Colorado’s first omicron variant case detected in Arapahoe County
The first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Colorado was identified on Thursday in a woman who recently returned from southern Africa, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “She is experiencing minor symptoms and is isolated and recuperating at home. She had been fully vaccinated and was eligible for the […]
Colorado Democrats announce plan to protect abortion rights in light of Supreme Court case
Democratic lawmakers in Colorado plan to introduce legislation next year that would protect abortion access in Colorado in light of a U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade precedent. At a rally in front of the Colorado State Capitol on Wednesday, lawmakers said they would introduce legislation early next session […]
Omicron variant spread has health officials preparing for its arrival in Colorado
The newly-sequenced omicron coronavirus variant hasn’t been discovered in the United States yet, but Colorado scientists are preparing to identify it as soon as it hits the state through lab sample sequencing and wastewater detection. “It’s difficult to know when, so at this point we’re using all the tools we have … to make sure […]
Xcel Energy reaches agreement to close Pueblo’s Comanche 3 power plant by 2035
Xcel Energy has agreed to close Pueblo County’s Comanche 3 coal-fired power plant by 2035, decades ahead of its original 2070 closure date. The agreement comes as the Public Utilities Commission considers how Colorado’s largest coal-fired power plant fits into statewide emission reduction and clean energy goals. The company filed the plan Wednesday afternoon as […]
Rep. Neguse introduces bill to expand access to mental health care
A bill introduced Tuesday by Rep. Joe Neguse aims to expand interstate access to mental health resources by making it easier for patients to connect to care regardless of where they live. “Our response to the pandemic has helped us develop robust telehealth systems and has shown us that patients don’t have to be in […]
Statewide mask mandate ‘not something we’re considering,’ Gov. Polis says
As three metro Denver counties enact some version of a mask requirement this week, Gov. Jared Polis reiterated during a Tuesday COVID-19 update that a statewide order is not in the cards. Instead, he has lobbed that responsibility to local leaders. “I’ve been clear that it’s not something we’re considering as a state, so if […]
All lanes in I-25 Denver-to-Colorado Springs stretch to open by mid-December
All lanes of Interstate 25 between Castle Rock and Monument will be open by Christmas this year as major portions of the $419 million South Gap project get completed one year ahead of schedule. “We are proud to deliver the Gap highway project ahead of schedule and under budget,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a […]
All the groups urging Gov. Jared Polis to implement a statewide mask mandate
As the holidays approach and the number of COVID-19 deaths surpasses 9,000 in Colorado, more and more public health groups and medical leaders are pressuring Gov. Jared Polis to implement a statewide mask mandate for indoor settings — but he appears reluctant to follow that advice. One of the first to do so was the […]
Tina Peters was barred from overseeing the November election. What happens next?
A lawsuit filed by the Colorado secretary of state successfully blocked Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from overseeing the 2021 coordinated election, but — at least for now — the controversial Republican could still hold office for next year’s primary and midterm races. In a ruling issued last month, a district court granted Secretary of […]
Colorado voters to decide on another state income tax cut next November
For the second time in two years, a measure to reduce the state income tax rate gained enough signatures to land on Colorado’s ballot, the secretary of state’s office announced Thursday. Colorado voters will decide in November 2022 whether to lower the income tax rate to 4.4% from 4.55%. The measure, known as Initiative 31, […]
Colorado COVID-19 hospitalizations climb again after weekend dip
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Colorado are now above 1,500 for the first time this year, and state health officials say if the trend continues, hospital capacity will be overwhelmed by the end of December. “We are fairly close to what those projections were showing last week,” state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said during a briefing by […]