Register now for online webinar: Tuesday, June 9, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Wildfire & Smoke Readiness in Long-Term Care Facility and Home Health Settings: Actionable Strategies for Protecting Health during Wildfire Smoke Events

 

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: Register Now for CDPHE “Wildfire & Smoke Readiness in Long-Term Care Facility and Home Health Settings: Actionable Strategies for Protecting Individuals’ Health During Wildfire Smoke Events” Based on forecasts and early 2026 data, Colorado is facing an exceptionally dangerous wildfire season, largely driven by severe drought and record-low snowpack. State officials warned in late April 2026 that the state is facing a challenging fire year with risks elevated across the Western Slope and the Front Range.   Join us on Tuesday, June 9, from 11:00 am-12:30 pm for a free, live webinar on the impacts and implications of wildfires and smoke in Colorado and steps you can take to prepare and respond to these events to protect your clients, residents and patients: Potential for danger from wildfires and smoke   Components of wildfire smoke and short and long-term health effects  More susceptible populations; signs and symptoms of wildfire smoke  Projections for Spring and Summer 2026; staying informed on wildfire smoke conditions Actionable strategies for protecting health during wildfire smoke events Reducing the impacts of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality Steps to protecting your patients, residents, and clients from wildfire smoke, including remote health checks for persons receiving care at home When evacuation becomes necessary  Speakers include:  Radhika Ratnabalasuriar, MD, Medical Epidemiologist, Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Medical Epidemiology Unit Molly Middleton, MPH, Environmental Epidemiologist and Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking Program Manager, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability  Kristen Good, MEM, PhD, Health Equity Branch Deputy Chief, Occupational Health and Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Programs Manager, Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response Melanie Roth-Lawson, Emergency Response Coordinator/Trainer, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division We encourage you to share this training with your staff. Register for the webinar.  Please use this webinar link to join the meeting on Tuesday, June 9 @ 11:00 AM  Meeting ID: 896 2236 8744; Passcode: 918322  Please add the meeting information and link to your calendar for Tuesday, June 9 @ 11:00 AM. If you have any questions, please contact Melanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us

Update Regarding Abbreviated Stakeholder Process for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies - 6 CCR 1011-3 (CIHCS) Rules Revision Roundtable

 

To: All CIHCS Agencies, All Health Facilities, All Community Paramedics, All Emergency Medical Services Agencies, All Interested Parties From: HFEMSD  Thank you to everyone who has participated in the rule revision meetings to update and revise 6 CCR 1011-3, Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies (CIHCS). As a result of stakeholder participation thus far, the Department and stakeholders completed the review of the updated regulations during the March meeting. The meeting previously scheduled for May will not be held. The Department will continue to receive written comments until May 20. The draft CIHCS rules remain updated and are available in the public folder for this rulemaking. To provide written comment(s) on the draft rules, please email Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us. The request for rulemaking at the Board of Health will be June 17, 2026. The Board of Health does not accept public testimony during hearing requests; however, if the Board accepts our rule request, the rulemaking hearing will be scheduled for August 19, 2026, at which point the Board encourages public testimony regarding the proposed rules. Details will follow in additional public notices. If you wish to receive individual notice of this process, please sign up to our interested parties list related to CIHCS agency rulemakings. Feel free to share this link with other interested parties.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Update Regarding Abbreviated Stakeholder Process for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies - 6 CCR 1011-3 (CIHCS) Rules Revision Roundtable

 

To: All CIHCS Agencies, All Health Facilities, All Community Paramedics, All Emergency Medical Services Agencies, All Interested Parties From: HFEMSD  Thank you to everyone who has participated in monthly rule revision roundtable meetings to update and revise 6 CCR 1011-3, Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies (CIHCS). As a result of stakeholder participation thus far, the Department and stakeholders completed the review of the updated regulations during the March meeting. Monthly meetings previously scheduled for April and May will no longer be held. The Department may decide to reconvene this stakeholder group at a later time if needed. The Department will continue to receive written comments. The draft CIHCS rules remain updated as a result of the last stakeholder meeting and are available in the public folder for this rulemaking. To provide written comment(s) on the draft rules, please email Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us. The request for rulemaking at the Board of Health will be June 17, 2026. The Board of Health does not accept public testimony during rule requests; however, if the Board accepts our rule request, the rulemaking hearing will be scheduled for August 19, 2026, at which point the Board encourages public testimony regarding the proposed rules. Details will follow in additional public notices. If you wish to receive individual notice of this process, please sign up to our interested parties list related to CIHCS agency rulemakings. Feel free to share this link with other interested parties.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Recording Available of Extreme Heat Webinar for Healthcare Providers

 

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: Recording Available of CDPHE High Heat Webinar for Healthcare Facilities and Agencies Held on March 26, 2026. If you missed our webinar yesterday on the impacts and implications of high heat in Colorado and caring for clients, residents, and patients, you can watch the recording of the session or view the slides here.  If you have any questions, please contact Melanie Roth-Lawson at Melanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us

Update Regarding Abbreviated Stakeholder Process for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies - 6 CCR 1011-3 (CIHCS) Rules Revision Roundtable

 

To: All CIHCS Agencies, All Health Facilities, All Community Paramedics, All Emergency Medical Services Agencies, All Interested Parties From: HFEMSD  Thank you to everyone who has participated in monthly rule revision roundtable meetings to update and revise 6 CCR 1011-3, Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies (CIHCS). As a result of stakeholder participation thus far, during the March meeting, the Department and stakeholders completed the review of the updated regulations during the March meeting. Monthly meetings previously scheduled for April and May will no longer be held. The Department may decide to reconvene this stakeholder group at a later time if needed. The Department will continue to take written comments. The draft CIHCS rules have been updated as a result of the last stakeholder meeting and are available in the public folder for this rulemaking. To provide written comment(s), please email Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us. The request for rulemaking at the Board of Health is currently set for June 17, 2026. No public testimony will be permitted at that time; however, if the Board accepts our request, the rulemaking hearing will be scheduled for August 19, 2026, at which point the Board encourages testimony regarding the rules. Details will follow in additional public notices. If you are not receiving individual notice of this process, please sign up. Feel free to share this link with other interested parties.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Stryker Cyber Attack (3/11/26)

 

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Jacquelyn Erwin, Deputy Division Director, HFEMSD Re: Stryker Cyber Attack (3/11/26) On March 11, 2026 Stryker reported a global network disruption as a result of a cyber attack. We have no indication of ransomware or malware and believe the incident is contained. Stryker has reached out to facilities and agencies directly.    State response partners have been made aware of notifications going to Stryker customers and regional response partners. There are no known response needs at this time.   If your organization is experiencing or anticipates service disruption due to Stryker Medical equipment or devices, please report those disruptions as per your local cyber security reporting procedures. You can use the resources below to locate your local contacts for assistance. Find your local emergency management contact information (and sign up for emergency alerts on this site) Find your regional health care coalition Find your local public health agency  Let us know how we may provide further assistance.

REGISTER NOW: Extreme Heat Webinar for Healthcare Providers w/ CDPHE experts on Thurs., March 26, from 10-11:30 AM

 

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: Register Now for CDPHE Extreme Heat Webinar for Healthcare Facilities and Agencies with CDPHE Staff Extreme heat events in Colorado are increasing in duration, frequency, and intensity as a result of climate change. These accelerating changes have led to a rise in human exposure to harmful temperatures, and we’re seeing the repercussions of that on the health of communities that lack resources to adapt to or recover from heat.   Join us on Thursday, March 26, from 10-11:30 AM for a live webinar on the impacts and implications of extreme heat in Colorado and populations at risk including your clients, residents and patients. Learn steps you can take to prepare and respond to the warm season ahead. Better understand how extreme heat is impacting Colorado and the impact of extreme heat on our bodies and the environment Review climate projections for Spring and Summer 2026 Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses Discuss persons most at risk and populations of concern Steps to protecting your patients, residents, and clients from extreme heat Monitoring your weather online using National Weather Service (NWS) resources. Components of an extreme heat emergency plan or annex Speakers include:  Radhika Ratnabalasuriar, MD Medical Epidemiologist, Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Medical Epidemiology Unit  Molly Middleton, MPH, Environmental Epidemiologist and Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking Program Manager, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability  Molly Kadota, MPH - Healthy Communities Coordinator, Healthy Communities Unit, Prevention Services Division. Henry Mitchell, Public Health Operations Branch Chief, Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response  Mallory Roybal, MPH, MURP, Senior Sustainability and Research Specialist,Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) Melanie Roth-Lawson, Emergency Response Coordinator/Trainer, HFEMSD We encourage you to share this training with your staff. Register here to get the training link (class is free). For more information, contact Melanie Roth-Lawson atMelanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us.

Upcoming Rule Revision Roundtable: Community Integrated Health Care Services (CIHCS) - February 17, 2026 Stakeholder Meeting

 

To: All CIHCS Agencies, All Health Facilities, All Community Paramedics, All Emergency Medical Services Agencies, All Interested Parties

HFEMSD is hosting a rules revision roundtable discussion for 6 CCR 1011-3 - Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies, related to the licensing of CIHCS Agencies. This rule revision is in response to the Sunset Report from Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the accompanying bill extending the program, Senate Bill 25-192. All interested parties and the public are invited and welcome to attend.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 1:00 - 3:30 pm, and subsequently on the third Tuesday of each month until May 2026. All meetings can be attended remotely via Zoom. This meeting will be held in hybrid format. Attendees can participate either in-person at the CDPHE campus or remotely via Zoom.

If you’re attending in-person, join us in the Snow room in Building A.

Use this Zoom link to join the meeting on February 17 at 1pm.

If you are interested in participating in updating 6 CCR 1011-3, please sign up to receive notice of each meeting and other important information related to this rule revision. Please share this link widely with other interested parties.

Meeting materials, including draft rules, will be made available in the public folder for this project. Notice prior to each meeting will be sent through the Division’s Health Facilities portal message system, the EMTS On the Go newsletter, and to the interested parties list.

If you have any questions or comments prior to the meeting, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

XCEL Energy Announces Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Friday, Jan. 16 for Larimer and Weld Counties

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: XCEL Energy Announces Public Safety Power-Shutoff (PSPS) on Friday, Jan. 16 for Parts of Larimer County, and parts of Weld County Due to extreme wildfire risk and a Fire Weather Watch issued by the National Weather Service, Xcel Energy has issued notice of a power shutoff (Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS) on Friday, January 16, 2026, in parts of Larimer and Weld counties, from approximately 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Unplanned outages may also occur due to damage from extreme winds.  Xcel crews will be staged at the Fort Collins service center on Friday to patrol and restore lines as quickly as possible, once it is safe to do so. For damaged lines, it may take up to several days for power to be restored from planned or unplanned outages.  Please check the up-to-date Xcel Electric Outage Map to see if your address is impacted (Even if you are not in a PSPS zone, high winds can cause other outages). You can monitor the event on the Public Safety Power Shutoff Event Update.  Placing an emphasis on delivering care even in the face of power outages must be a priority to protect residents, clients, patients and staff from harm. Preparation for residential providers Have emergency plans and arrangements in place if you cannot provide generator power and need to evacuate medically compromised residents. Other suggestions: Consider your DME supply and potential needs. Consult your facility’s emergency plan. Notify engineering and facility staff as early as possible of additional power needs. Review evacuation plans and prepare staff in case of power outages, and make sure your transportation is in good working order. Monitor indoor temperatures. Increase the frequency of patient observations, especially those at high risk.  If you lose heat and are in a high-rise building, prepare to move individuals from lower floors to higher floors (remember, heat rises). Conserve supplies, such as ice and fuel, based on anticipated or current shortages. Keep medications cool. Place medications that require refrigeration in an ice chest or cooler packed with ice, cooling bricks, or cold packs. Use a thermometer to monitor medication temperatures to ensure they're safe to use. Avoid freezing medication by making sure it does not directly touch the ice. Plan and consider options and plans for access to food and meals during the power outage. Preparation for home health/home care agencies and in-home hospice providers with clients at home:  Agencies are responsible for having individualized emergency plans for their clients, based on their individual needs. Encourage your clients who have durable medical equipment to have extra batteries and/or a car charger available. Keeping extra concentrator batteries fully charged will give your clients oxygen for longer if you lose power. If possible, keep enough fully-charged batteries to last a couple of days. Arrange with clients’ oxygen suppliers for back-up emergency supply that does not require electricity, such as oxygen tanks and cylinders. Make sure your clients know how to set up and use their back up emergency oxygen supply. If you have clients that rely on several different types of electrical assistive devices, he/she/they may want to look into purchasing a generator. Temporary use generators can be purchased at most hardware and department stores (such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, and similar stores). Here are resources that can help home health providers prepare their clients during emergencies: How to Survive an Extended Power Outage with Home Medical Equipment Home Use Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices that Require Electricity Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Preparation for response operations Since all emergencies start locally, we want you to know that local public health agencies and regional healthcare coalitions have been notified about the power outages. Make sure that you all have the appropriate local contact information, should you need to reach out for emergency assistance: Locations in Larimer County for sheltering or power supply, currently referred to as “comfort centers” are available through your local emergency management contact.  Find your local emergency management contact information (and sign up for emergency alerts on this site) Find your regional health care coalition Find your local public health agency  For assistance with movement, placement or care of patients or residents, complete this Health Care Facility/Agency Status Check-In Form detailing any assistance you need. This form will be routed to the appropriate response partners. You may also email cdphe_oepr_medops@state.co.us.

Jan. 15, 2026 - House Bill 1294 Stakeholder Forum - Branch Updates

To: All Stakeholders  From: HFEMSD  You are invited to participate in the House Bill 1294 Stakeholder Forum. The House Bill 1294 Stakeholder Forum is an opportunity to promote dialogue and transparency for issues of interest and concern to all licensed healthcare facilities. Pursuant to C.R.S 25-3-113, the Stakeholder Forum consists of representatives from various types of provider facilities licensed by the department along with consumers, consumer advocates, ombudsmen and other interested parties which meet at least four times each year for the Department to discuss and take into consideration the concerns and issues of interest to the forum members and other attendees regarding the development and implementation of rules and other matters that affect all licensed health care facilities. At this meeting, the department will present: Branch updates Licensing fee updates for 2026 - Peter Myers   The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Meetings will be held quarterly, generally on the third Thursday of the month. To participate, use the resource links below. HB 1294 Stakeholder Forum Website - meeting information/invite and communication sign-up Agenda item request form Reminder: Official meeting minutes are available from the department upon request. Attendees may use artificial intelligence (AI) note-taking tools; however, notes taken in this manner do not constitute the official record of the meeting. If you have any further questions or comments before the meeting, please contact Rachel Bader at rachel.bader@state.co.us.

Upcoming Rule Revision Roundtable: CIHCS - January 20, 2026 Stakeholder Meeting

To: All CIHCS Agencies, All Health Facilities, All Community Paramedics, All Emergency Medical Services Agencies, All Interested Parties From: The Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) HFEMSD is hosting a rules revision roundtable discussion for 6 CCR 1011-3 - Standards for Community Integrated Health Care Service Agencies, related to the licensing of CIHCS Agencies. This rule revision is in response to the Sunset Report from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the accompanying bill extending the program, Senate Bill 25-192. All interested parties and the public are invited and welcome to attend. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m., and subsequently on the third Tuesday of each month until May 2026. All meetings can be attended remotely via Zoom. This fourth meeting will be held in a hybrid format. Attendees can participate either in-person at the CDPHE campus or remotely via Zoom. Join the meeting via Zoom on January 20 at 1 p.m. If you’re attending in person, please join us at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek South Drive, Denver, CO 80246, in the Snow Room. If you are interested in participating in updating 6 CCR 1011-3, please sign up to receive notice of each meeting and other important information related to this rule revision. Please share this link widely with other interested parties. Meeting materials, including draft rules, will be made available in the public folder for this project. Notice prior to each meeting will be sent through the Division’s Health Facilities portal message system, the EMTS On The Go newsletter, and to the interested parties list. If you have any questions or comments prior to the meeting, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Health Care Facility Status Check-in - Severe Weather

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: Health Care Facility Status Check-in - Severe Weather Dec. 2025   As the State Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the statewide severe weather, we are preparing for potential weekend coordination needs.   You’re receiving this email because you’re in a high-risk area that may be impacted by high wind, fire risk, planned and unplanned power outages continuing over the weekend.   As we plan for potential medical system needs in the coming days, please complete this brief poll. We understand that your facility’s status may change.   In addition, make sure that you all have the appropriate local contact information:   Find your local emergency management contact information (and sign up for emergency alerts on this site) Find your regional health care coalition Find your local public health agency

IMPORTANT UPDATE RE XCEL Energy Potential Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Wednesday, 12/17 @ 10 AM for Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: Updates to XCEL Energy POTENTIAL Public Safety Power-Shutoffs on Wednesday, December 17 Now @ 10 AM for Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties The potential Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) has been pushed forward to begin at 10:00 AM today, December 17th, and the scope of the expected planned shutoff has been reduced significantly. Potentially impacted counties have been narrowed to include Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld. This shutoff is being considered due to hazard risks, including wildfires, associated with forecasted high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity. A final decision regarding the power shut-off will be made early Wednesday (12/17) morning.   Xcel maintains a list of critical facilities, to find out if you are on this list or to get added, reach out to your local emergency management contact (see below). You can also find up-to-date Electrical Power Outage information on the Xcel Electric Outage Map.   Make sure that you all have the appropriate local contact information:  Find your local emergency management contact information (and sign up for emergency alerts on this site) Find your regional health care coalition Find your local public health agency   PLEASE NOTE:  Getting your facility’s name added to the list of critical facilities to be considered for a priority de/re-energization only helps facilities to get power re-secured. It does NOT mean that your power will be kept on/no power outage.  Xcel customers will begin receiving notices directly from Xcel on Tuesday evening if your area is no longer being considered. Xcel is still expecting and planning for unplanned outages in all Front Range counties because of the high winds. More wind, though not expected to be as significant, again on Thursday and Friday. Prior to requesting assistance, ensure your facility/agency has already: Implemented your emergency operations plan Attempted to provide care management during the potential outage Detailed attempts made to temporarily or permanently place the patient/resident/client so that efforts are not duplicated and show that state support coordination thresholds have been met. Should you need assistance after exercising all available resources, please complete this Situational Awareness form detailing patient placement, transport, care assistance needed. This form will be routed to the appropriate response partners.