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THE GOVERNOR'S NEWSLETTER

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GOVERNOR'S WEBSITE


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PRESS RELEASES


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STATE JOB BOARD


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COLORADO BILL TRACKER



September 8, 2025

Taking Swift Action to Ensure Easy Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Coloradans This Fall
I directed the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and other state agencies to act quickly to ensure that all Coloradans have access to safe and effective updated COVID-19 vaccines. In furtherance of that goal, CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan has issued
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Public Health Order 25-01: Access to COVID-19 Vaccines , and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ned Calonge has issued a
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standing order to allow pharmacists to provide COVID-19 vaccines those who want it without individual prescriptions. The standing order took effect on Friday, September 5, 2025.


I'm taking action to ensure that Coloradans who want to can easily and conveniently get the safe and effective updated COVID vaccine, along with the flu vaccine, this Fall without having to go to a doctor first. These effective vaccines are available at many local pharmacies and supermarkets, and I encourage my fellow Coloradans to join me in getting protected. Colorado is committed to empowering individuals to make choices to protect their own health and safety, and I will not allow ridiculous and costly red tape or decisions made far away in Washington to keep Coloradans from accessing vaccines. Starting this Friday, the COVID-19 vaccine should be available to those who choose at many local pharmacies.


The actions come after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration limited its recent approval of updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines to those aged 65 and older or at higher risk of severe disease. This narrow federal authorization gets in the way of Coloradans making our own healthcare decisions and would have inconvenienced Coloradans who want increased COVID-19 protection by requiring a doctor’s prescription. The FDA’s limited approval has created confusion and uncertainty because it appears to conflict with recommendations previously issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidance issued by several professional organizations.


Further, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which typically publishes recommendations guiding CDC policy, availability of federally-funded vaccines, and insurance coverage, has not issued updated guidance this year. As a result of this failure, without action by the state, many Coloradans would need to get a doctor’s prescription in order to get a COVID vaccine at a pharmacy. The public health order and standing order will allow Coloradans to access the vaccine without seeking an individual prescription from their doctors.


To immediately expand access, CDPHE’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ned Calonge, issued a standing order that took effect on Friday, Sept. 5. The standing order will serve as a prescription, allowing all Coloradans aged 6 months and older to receive updated COVID-19 vaccines directly at a pharmacy without a separate doctor’s appointment or prescription.


Public Health Order 25-01 also directs CDPHE to:
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Issue clear guidance to providers, pharmacists, and the public about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
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Collaborate with other state agencies and offices to identify and remove barriers to vaccination.
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Coordinate with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to review how federal decisions affect coverage for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus. Updates will be shared as soon as possible.
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Coordinate with the Division of Insurance to ensure that health insurance plans under state authority fully cover COVID-19 vaccines.
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Work with the Department of Regulatory Agencies to review and revise rules to ensure pharmacies can provide COVID-19 vaccines. In alignment with CDPHE’s new public health order and standing order, the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy convened an emergency rulemaking hearing at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, to ensure that pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians may continue to prescribe, dispense and administer vaccinations in accordance with applicable Colorado Revised Statutes. Meeting details are posted to the
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State Board of Pharmacy’s website .


The orders are effective Friday, Sept. 5 and remain in place until Sept. 4, 2026, unless amended or rescinded.


For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please check out our
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FAQ or visit
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cdphe.colorado.gov/covid19-vaccine .



I’ll be in the Western Slope soon

Get tickets to our conversation with Colorado Public Radio:



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Tickets to CPR Townhall in Grand Junction

FIRST GENTLEMAN'S CORNER

Over the course of the next sixteen months, First Gentleman Marlon Reis is hosting a monthly speaker series at the Governor’s Mansion. Subject matter experts will present on the issue, with time for audience Q&A afterwards.
- SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- WHERE: The Governor’s Residence at the Boettecher Mansion, 400 E 8th Ave, Denver, CO, 8020
- ABOUT: Prairie Dogs

EVENTS & NEWS CORNER

🍂 October 18th - 10th Annual Tennyson Fall Fest
The street festival season continues as Explore Tennyson presents the return of the
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10th Annual Tennyson Fall Fest , a sister event to the highly popular summer Tennyson Street Fair. This free, community celebration, which welcomed 10,000 people last year, brings together more than 100 local businesses, breweries, artisans, and food purveyors that will line Tennyson Street from West 41st to West 43rd Ave. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy activities such as live music, group yoga, a pet parade and other family-friendly fun.
📰America 250 - Colorado 150 Newsletter Sign-Up
As we continue building momentum toward 2026, we encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged with the latest
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America 250 - Colorado 150 news, events, and opportunities. This newsletter is designed for a statewide audience; anyone who signs up will receive updates, stories, and ways to participate in the commemoration on the first of each month:
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Link to sign up for the newsletter .

JOB OPENINGS



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Chief of the Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives

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Local Government Federal Funding Advisor

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Serve CO Finance and Compliance Officer

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Serve CO Deputy Finance and Compliance Officer

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS


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Celebrating the State Fair & Update on Special Session (August 28)

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Fire Safety and Awareness and Update (August 15)

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Celebrating Colorado Day (August 1)

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Announcing Education Roadmap (July 29)

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Celebrate Colorado Starting This Weekend, and Survey Results (July 24)

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A Reminder to Submit the Bridge Survey (July 21)












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