COVID Vaccines In Colorado: Your Always Up-To-Date Guide To Finding The Info You Need

By Francie Swidler
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Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
The first round of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are distributed at the Denver Indian Center, part of the second wave of prioritized shots in the city. Jan. 8, 2020.

Last updated on April 22 at 2:00 p.m. This page will be updated every week day as we learn more information.

What are the different vaccine phases in Colorado? 

As of March 1, 2021, Colorado's vaccine plan is broken down into these phases:

Colorado's vaccine phases as of March 1, 2021, according to the state's website.

Who is included in each vaccine phase?

First up was phase Phase 1A, high-risk health care workers, along with residents and staff members of long term care facilities.

After that is Phase 1B.1, which includes all Coloradoans 70 and older, moderate risk health care workers and first responders.

Phase 1B.2 includes Coloradans aged 65-69, and all Pre-K-12 teachers and student-facing educators or staff, childcare workers in licensed programs and essential state workers. Gov. Polis indicated that teacher vaccines will take place by employer or district.

Phase 1B.3, includes people 60 and older, grocery store and agriculture workers (like meatpacking), and people with two or more comorbidities, and frontline essential workers. A different group of workers was previously included in this phase but changes were made at a Feb. 26 COVID-19 update from Gov. Polis.

Phase 1B.4 includes:

  • People 50 and over
  • Higher education employees
  • Food and restaurant workers
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Postal workers
  • Public transit workers
  • Public health workers
  • Human service workers
  • Faith leaders
  • People who provide direct care to those experiencing homelessness
  • Frontline essential journalists
  • Local government workers
  • Adults who received a placebo during a COVID-19 vaccine trial
  • People 16-49 with a high risk condition

Phase 2 includes the general public — everyone 16 and older.

You can find a more detailed breakdown of who is in the state's different phases on the state's vaccine website.

COVID-VACCINATION-DRIVE-THROUGH-ROCKY-FORD
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A vial of Moderna’s vaccine at the Otero County Health Department’s mass COVID-19 vaccination drive-through clinic for those 70 and older at the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds in Rocky Ford on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

When does each phase begin, and how long will each phase take?

The majority of Phase 1A health care workers in the state were expected to be vaccinated by Jan. 15, according to an announcement from CDPHE on Jan. 5.

Phase 1B.1 — Coloradans over 70 years old — is expected to conclude by February 28th (The state's goal is to have 70 percent of Coloradoans over 70 years old vaccinated by this date).

Phase 1B.2 began on Feb. 8, and last for three weeks.

Phase 1B.3 began on March 5. This phase contains nearly one million people.

Phase 1B.4 began on March 19 (originally, this was March 21, but the date was moved up). This phase contains nearly 2.5 million people.

Phase 2 — all Colorado adults — began on Friday, April 2.

Colorado has a population of nearly 6 million people. In a March 29 press conference, Gov. Polis says he expects any adult in Colorado who wants a vaccine to be fully protected by mid to late June.

The phases and timeline however are subject to change — and have in fact changed several times during the course of updating this guide.

What phase is Colorado in right now? 

As of April 12, Colorado is in Phase 1A, 1B.1, 1B.2, 1B.3 and 1B.4 and Phase 2. In other words everyone over the age of 16 is eligible to register for and get a vaccine right now.

Vaccine supply in Colorado, however, is still limited. That means that while you may be currently eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, you may still need to wait for an appointment, or may have a difficult time finding an opening.

COVID-VACCINATION-SHORTER-AME
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Christy Harmon, left, and Barbara Maurath prepare vaccine doses at Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church in Denver, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. The church continues to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics in collaboration with UC Health.

How many doses is Colorado getting each week?

In a March 29 press conference, Gov. Polis laid out how many shots the state will get each week for the next three weeks:

  • Week of March 28: 422,090 doses (Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson)
  • Week of April 4: 372,540+  (Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson)
  • Week of April 11: 391,260+ (Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson)

The state is now tracking how many people have been immunized and with how many doses. However, some of the doses now in Colorado is designated for use as second shots.

On March 2, President Biden said the U.S. will produce enough vaccines for every adult in the U.S. by the end of May, so the above numbers may change.

How and where can I make a vaccine appointment now? What's the process?

In Colorado, there are two ways you can get the COVID vaccine — through your county's public health department, or through a medical provider (like like a doctor's office or a pharmacy).

Need help with transportation to or from a vaccine appointment?

It’s not entirely clear how or if you’ll be notified — but you can visit your county’s public health website or call them for more information. You can also start following your county’s Facebook page for updates. 

Here's how to get in touch with your county. You might be able to make a vaccine appointment through these links, sign up for notifications or get updates (or you might find another, better way to get in touch with them!).

This map of vaccine providers is provided by the state and is updated every Wednesday.

Additionally, Denver Indian Health and Family Services has a limited COVID-19 vaccine supply from Indian Health Services, and is working to vaccinate those over 70. 

You can also call the state’s 24/7 vaccine hotline, at 1-877-CO-VAX-CO or 1-877-268-2926 or visit the state's vaccine website.

You can also contact your doctor's office, medical provider or local hospital — many are, or will soon be, accepting appointments and contacting current patients. Here's how:

Mass vaccination sites:

Adams County: Dicks Sporting Goods Park

  • Drive-thru
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer
  • Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Call (720) 263-5737 for more information, or make an appointment here

Denver County: Ball Arena (no appointment needed)

  • Drive-thru site
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer, Moderna
  • No appointment needed 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday thru Friday
  • More information here

El Paso County: Broadmoor World Arena

  • Drive-thru site
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer
  • Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Call (720) 263-5737 for more information or make an appointment here

Larimer County: The Ranch (no appointment needed)

  • Drive-thru site
  • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday thru Saturday
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer, Moderna
  • More information

Mesa County: Grand Junction Convention Center

  • Appointments indoors
  • Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer, Moderna
  • Call (970) 248-6900 for more information or make an appointment here

Pueblo County: Colorado State Fairgrounds

  • Drive-thru site
  • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday thru Monday
  • Vaccines available: Pfizer
  • Call (720) 263-5737 for more information or make an appointment here

Statewide:

Front Range:

North:

East

South

Southwest:

West:

Vaccine Spotter, a local website, can help you find appointments near you.

This list was last updated on March 29 at 11:25 a.m.

The latest on coronavirus and vaccines in Colorado


Editor's Note: A limited number of CPR News journalists have started to receive vaccinations according to the state's prioritization of essential frontline workers.

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