Colorado opens first state-run Community Vaccination Sites

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs opens Wednesday, March 17 as the first state-run Community Vaccination Site.

Centura Health is operating the mass vaccine location as part of Governor Jared Polis’ “Vaccines for All” plan.

According to the governor’s office, the drive-through site will have the capacity to vaccinate 2,000 people a day, but the hope is to get that number closer to 6,000 once there is greater vaccine supply. All vaccines are free.

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People who are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can sign up here or call 720-263-5737. The Community Vaccination Site operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In a tweet, Polis said the site will be operating "for the next couple months."

“In addition to the site being launched at the Broadmoor today, the State is launching another Community Vaccination Site in Mesa County at the Grand Junction Convention Center,” the governor’s office said in a press release. “There will be four other sites opening up in the coming days in Adams, Pueblo, Larimer & Denver Counties.”

Colorado has had success in the past with mass vaccination events. In late January, roughly 10,000 senior citizens received their vaccines in a drive-through event at Coors Field.

Polis has said “every vaccine administered is one step closer to ending the pandemic.”

As of March 17, Coloradans in the following groups are eligible to receive a vaccine:

  • People age 60+. 
  • People with two or more high risk conditions.
  • High and moderate risk health care workers and first responders.
  • Correctional workers.
  • Funeral services.
  • PK-12 educators and staff.
  • Child care workers in licensed child care facilities.
  • Frontline essential workers in grocery and agriculture.

 

On Friday, March 19, the following groups will be eligible:

  • People age 50 and older.
  • Frontline essential workers.
  • People with high risk conditions.
  • Continuation of operations for state government and continuity of local government.

 

To date, more than 1.2 million Coloradans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, nearly three times the number of people who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Higher-risk groups have been vaccinated at a high rate. According to officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), over 80% of Coloradans 65+ have received at least one vaccine dose.

Based on vaccine supply, Polis said the state intends to open vaccine eligibility to all Coloradans by mid-April.