Link CORRECTION: Service Availability Form for Non-Medical Denial of Care 2026 Biennial Update

 

To: All stakeholders interested in regulations related to the Service Availability Form created by the Patient’s Right to Know Act regarding non-medical denial-of-care. From: HFEMSD Dear Stakeholders, The link that was provided previously for the Service Availability Form (SAF) Biennial Stakeholder Announcement on July 24, 2026 was incorrect. Here is the CORRECT SAF Interested Parties Sign-Up link for you to use and send out to those who might wish to partake in the stakeholdering process. Our apologies for any inconveniences this may have caused. The SAF Questionnaire will be open until August 31, 2026. The Service Availability Form FAQ answers many common questions regarding the Service Availability Form and the Patients’ Right to Know Act. If you have any questions regarding this review of the Service Availability Form, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Service Availability Form for Non-Medical Denial of Care 2026 Biennial Update

 

To: All stakeholders interested in regulations related to the Service Availability Form created by the Patient’s Right to Know Act regarding non-medical denial-of-care. From: HFEMSD The Division is publishing a Service Availability Form Questionnaire for all interested stakeholders to complete regarding the healthcare services listed on the form in connection with non-medical denial-of-care and the “Patient’s Right to Know Act.” The law requires general hospitals, community clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs), and licensed hospital units to make publicly available a list of the health-care services which are generally available or are subject to significant restriction related to the following topics: Reproductive health-care services; LGBTQ health-care services; End-of-life health-care services. The Department reviews the Service Availability Form every 2 years to assess whether the form adequately addresses those healthcare services related to Reproductive Health-care, LGBTQ Healthcare, and End-of-Life Health-care which are or may be subject to non-medical denial of care in Colorado. The questionnaire asks whether there are any additional procedures that stakeholders feel should be included in the Service Availability Form. Please provide your feedback on the Service Availability Form here. The questionnaire will close August 31, 2026. After the Division has a chance to review responses, it will determine if further stakeholder review is necessary. Please sign-up to the interested parties list to receive further notice pertaining to this and future updates. Stakeholder engagement is integral to the Department’s effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of patients in Colorado. All interested parties are encouraged to complete the questionnaire. The Service Availability Form FAQ answers many common questions regarding the Service Availability Form and the Patients’ Right to Know Act. If you have any questions regarding this review of the Service Availability Form, please contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

CDPHE Request to White List (Accept) Email Addresses (correction and update)

 

To: Technical support/providers From: Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics We send monthly email information with reminders or new announcements to facilities and providers regarding birth, death and fetal death record submission. The email address we send from is cdphe.vitalrecords411@state.co.us.  The email with the underscore, cdphe_vitalrecords411@state.co.us, is no longer in use.  Please allow emails from cdphe.vitalrecords411@state.co.us.  Below is a reminder about a different email address notice/request that was sent very recently, on or about May 29, 2026. There was an extra letter in the address, in the previous communication. Apologies for the error. Below is the correct address. We are requesting technical support/providers in facilities allow receiving (white listing) of emails from this address: cdphe.coves.notification@state.co.us. These emails are received by physicians, physician assistants, advance practice nurses, medical support staff, administrative staff, birthing facility staff, midwives and midwifery staff involved in the entry of data for birth, death and fetal death records. These emails are necessary login MFA receipt and/or notices for successful and timely compliance with vital statistics reporting requirements.   If you have questions or concerns, you may contact us at the above email. The email address is now in use.

CDPHE Request to White List (Accept) Email Address

 

To: Organizational Technical Support From: Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics We are requesting technical support/providers in facilities allow receiving (white listing) of emails from this address: cdphe.coves.notification@state.co.us These emails are received by physicians, physician assistants, advance practice nurses, medical support staff, administrative staff, birthing facility staff, midwives and midwifery staff involved in the entry of data for birth, death and fetal death records. These emails are necessary login MFA receipt and/or notices for successful and timely compliance with vital statistics reporting requirements. If you have questions or concerns, you may contact us at cdphe.coves.notification@state.co.us. This email address is expected to begin to be in use by June 2026.

Board of Health Rulemaking Announcement for June 17th, 2026: 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapters 9 & 13 - Community Clinics and Freestanding Emergency Departments

 

To: All Stakeholders interested in regulations related to Community Clinics and Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs)  From: HFEMSD  To those who participated in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapters 9 and 13 (Community Clinics and FSEDs), the HFEMSD Policy and Regulations team extends a sincere thank you. The Department went to the Board of Health in April to request that a rulemaking hearing be set for June. The Board of Health has granted our request and will hold a public rulemaking hearing on June 17, 2026 at 10 a.m. to consider the proposed changes. Notice of the hearing is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of Section 24-4-103, C.R.S. You may provide your comments to the Board in advance of the June rulemaking hearing for their consideration. To submit written comments to the Board, please email cdphe.bohrequests@state.co.us. The Board also welcomes oral testimony regarding rulemakings and the stakeholder process at the hearing. To provide oral testimony, you must sign up before 5 p.m on June 16, 2026. The time for providing oral testimony may be limited to 3 minutes or less. For further details about providing feedback at the Board of Health meeting, please visit Participate in the Board of Health. The agenda for the public meeting, other meeting documents, and Zoom link on the day of the meeting can all be accessed at Board of Health meetings. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Updated Documents regarding 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 Community Clinics and Chapter 13 FSEDs and regulatory process

 

To: Licensed freestanding emergency departments, community clinics providing emergency services, providers, and all parties interested in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments  From: HFEMSD  The Department is providing you with updated information on this rule change process related to Chapters 9 and 13 that is based on SB25-130 , concerning providing emergency medical services, and SB25-152 concerning health-care practitioner identification. The on-line review and comment will be extended until February 15, 2026 due to the identification of the need for language that was not presented at the November and December meetings. The addition is indicated by highlighting in the updated documents available here. Please see Chapter 9, lines 122-126 and Chapter 13, lines 156-160. For your added convenience, the additional text is as follows:  (G) In the event that a facility explains its treatment obligations and the risks to the patient, and the patient or patient’s representative refuses transfer, additional examination, and/or treatment for the emergency medical condition, the facility shall document the refusal in the patient's record and attempt to obtain the patient’s written informed refusal.  Please use this form if you wish to provide comments to the Division.  There are still multiple opportunities to comment on the draft rules. The next step in the official process will be a Request for Rulemaking at the Board of Health on March 18, 2026. There will not be public discussion of the draft rules on March 18, but there will be public comment allowed at the hearing, which is likely to be held on May 20, 2026, if the Board of Health grants our request. Details will follow in additional public notices.  If you are not receiving individual notice of this process, please sign-up here. Please feel free to share this link with other interested parties. Updates will be emailed directly to interested parties and sent via the Division’s portal messaging system.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Cancellation of Stakeholder Meeting and Updated Documents regarding 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments

To: Licensed freestanding emergency departments, community clinics providing emergency services, providers, and all parties interested in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments From: Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) Subject: Cancellation of Stakeholder Meeting and Updated Documents regarding 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments The department is providing you with updated information on this rule change process: The meeting scheduled for January 14, 2026, is cancelled. Review of the updated regulations was completed in the first two meetings. This review covered SB25-130, concerning providing emergency medical services, and SB25-152 concerning health-care practitioner identification. Please note that any changes since the previous version presented at the November and December meetings are indicated by yellow highlighting. The current versions of the draft rules are available here and include edits from the previous meeting. There are still multiple opportunities to comment on the draft rules. Please use this form if you wish to provide comments to the Department. Those comments are due no later than February 1, 2026. The next step in the official process will be a Request for Hearing at the Board of Health on March 18, 2026. There will not be public discussion of the draft rules on March 18, but there will be public comment allowed at the hearing, which is likely to be held on May 20, 2026. Details will follow in additional public notices. If you are not receiving individual notice of this process, please sign up here. Please feel free to share this link with other interested parties. Notices will be emailed directly to interested parties and sent via the Division’s portal messaging system roughly one to two weeks before meetings.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

December 10, 2025, Stakeholder Meeting for SB25-130 Updates to FSEDs and CCECs

 

To: Licensed freestanding emergency departments, community clinics providing emergency services, providers, and all parties interested in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments From: HFEMSD  The Department is convening a stakeholder process to update its regulations pursuant to SB25-130 concerning providing emergency medical services, including those provided by freestanding emergency departments and other licensed health-care facilities providing emergency care. In addition, the Department will address the requirements of SB25-152 concerning health-care practitioner identification in freestanding emergency departments only. The next stakeholder meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. In-person meeting location: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80234 Building A, Room Snow Remote meeting information: Join Zoom meeting Meeting ID: 876 8470 8482 Passcode: 712112 If you are interested in participating in the stakeholder process to update Chapters 9 and 13, please sign-up to receive notice of each meeting and other important information. Please feel free to share this link with other interested parties. Notice of each meeting will be emailed directly to interested parties and sent via the Division’s portal messaging system roughly one to two weeks before each meeting. Meeting details, including agendas and proposed rule language, will be available before each meeting in the public Google folder dedicated to this rulemaking.  We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all people to engage fully. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the Nondiscrimination Coordinator at cdphe_nondiscrimination@state.co.us or 303-692-2102 at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.   Additional meetings are currently planned for: January 14, 2025 Please be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Attendees may use artificial intelligence (AI) note-taking tools; however, notes taken in this manner do not constitute the official record of the meeting. Official meeting records are available from the department upon request.  Please note that future updates necessary to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 4 - Hospitals and Chapter 16 - Critical Access Hospitals regarding SB25-130 and SB25-152 will take place separately and will be noticed at that time. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Infection control breach related to reprocessing of a transrectal ultrasound probe

 

To: Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Free Standing Emergency Departments From: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program recently identified that a transrectal ultrasound probe was reprocessed using low-level disinfection (LLD) instead of high-level disinfection (HLD), which was contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU). This is a semi-critical device for which HLD is necessary. Failure to reprocess this device by HLD according to the MIFU may create a low risk of bacterial, viral, and bloodborne pathogens. In this scenario, the transrectal ultrasound probe was being reprocessed and supplied by a hospital vendor. We are not aware of any infections related to this event. Infection preventionists and sterile processing departments (SPDs) should review the MIFU for endocavitary probes, including transrectal ultrasound probes and similar devices such as endovaginal probes that come into contact with mucous membranes, and ensure that they are reprocessed according to the MIFU. CDC guidelines recommend the use of a new probe cover and HLD between patients, CDC. Disinfection and Sterilization Guideline. Ensure proper reprocessing by internal SPD staff and by external vendors that supply the instrument. If patients are exposed to improperly reprocessed endocavitary probes, conduct a risk assessment for infection or other harm, and consider patient notification as appropriate. Contact the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for assistance: email cdphe_hai_ar@state.co.us or call 303-692-2700.

November 12, 2025, Stakeholder Meeting for SB25-130 Updates to FSEDs and CCECs

 

To: Licensed freestanding emergency departments, community clinics providing emergency services, providers, and all parties interested in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments From: HFEMSD  The Department is convening a stakeholder process to update its regulations pursuant to SB25-130 concerning providing emergency medical services, including those provided by freestanding emergency departments and other licensed health-care facilities providing emergency care. In addition, the Department will address the requirements of SB25-152 concerning health-care practitioner identification in freestanding emergency departments only. The first stakeholder meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. In-person meeting location: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80234 Building A, Room Snow Remote meeting information: Join Zoom meeting Meeting ID: 876 8470 8482 Passcode: 712112 If you are interested in participating in the stakeholder process to update Chapters 9 and 13, please sign-up to receive notice of each meeting and other important information. Please feel free to share this link with other interested parties. Notice of each meeting will be emailed directly to interested parties and sent via the Division’s portal messaging system roughly one to two weeks before each meeting. Meeting details, including agendas and and proposed rule language, will be available before each meeting in the public Google folder dedicated to this rulemaking.  We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all people to engage fully. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify the Nondiscrimination Coordinator at cdphe_nondiscrimination@state.co.us or 303-692-2102 at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.   Additional meetings are planned for: December 10, 2025 January 14, 2025 Please be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Attendees may use artificial intelligence (AI) note-taking tools; however, notes taken in this manner do not constitute the official record of the meeting. Official meeting records are available from the department upon request.  Please note that future updates necessary to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 4 - Hospitals and Chapter 16 - Critical Access Hospitals regarding SB25-130 and SB25-152 will be taking place separately and will be noticed at that time. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Save the Date: Stakeholder Process for SB25-130 Updates to FSEDs and CCECs

 

To: Licensed freestanding emergency departments, community clinics providing emergency services, providers, and all parties interested in the stakeholder process to update 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 9 - Community Clinics and Chapter 13 - Freestanding Emergency Departments From: HFEMSD The Department is excited to announce that it will be convening a stakeholder process to update its regulations pursuant to SB25-130 concerning providing emergency medical services, including those provided by freestanding emergency departments and other licensed health-care facilities providing emergency care. In addition, the Department will address the requirements of SB25-152 concerning health-care practitioner identification in freestanding emergency departments only. Stakeholder meetings are currently planned for the second Wednesday of the month from November 2025 through January 2026 for a total of three meetings. Participants are invited to attend meetings either in-person at the Department or online via Zoom. The first stakeholder meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the stakeholder process to update Chapters 9 and 13, please sign-up to receive notice of each meeting and other important information. Please feel free to share this link with other interested parties. Notice of each meeting will be emailed directly to interested parties and sent via the Division’s portal messaging system roughly one to two weeks before each meeting. Meeting details, including agendas and proposed rule language, will be available before each meeting in the public Google folder dedicated to this rulemaking. Meetings are currently planned for: November 12, 2025 December 10, 2025 January 14, 2025 Additional information, including a full timeline of the process, meeting locations, and virtual meeting links, as well as topics expected to be covered at each meeting, will be sent roughly two weeks prior to each meeting. Please note that future updates necessary to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 4 - Hospitals and Chapter 16 - Critical Access Hospitals regarding SB25-130 and SB25-152 will be taking place separately and will be noticed at that time. If you have any questions or comments prior to the first meeting, please contact Grace Sandeno at grace.sandeno@state.co.us or Alexandra Haas at alexandra.haas@state.co.us.

Apply to become a member of the Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Committee

 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is recruiting four new members of the Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory (HAI) Committee. Currently, the committee is requesting applicants for the following positions Medical statistician OR clinical microbiologist with an advanced degree, Representative from a health insurer, Infection control practitioner from a long-term care setting, Representative from a rural hospital. Applicants must be a resident of Colorado and must be able to contribute objectively to committee meetings from the perspective of the position. All interested and qualified individuals should apply. This position will be appointed by the Executive Director of CDPHE for a term of three years. The HAI Advisory Committee was established under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 25-3-602 to provide oversight to CDPHE for the collection and public reporting of data on HAI infection rates from health facilities. The committee typically meets every other month on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 2 - 4 p.m. CDPHE facilitates committee meetings using video conferencing. There are 11 members who represent a variety of stakeholders. Membership is voluntary. Participation on the HAI Advisory Committee is a great way to learn about HAIs and play an important role in state public health! We appreciate a diversity of input. Membership is not labor intensive, apart from participating in committee meetings. CDPHE invites qualified persons to complete and submit the fillable application with a resume or curriculum vitae by email to cdphe_hai_ar@state.co.us. You may submit additional pages with the application if needed to answer the “additional questions.” The deadline for submission is October 31, 2025. The CDPHE Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program will review applicants internally before making a recommendation to the Executive Director for appointment. For more information, please see the HAI Advisory Committee Website or contact Chris Czaja MD, DrPH at christopher.czaja@state.co.us or 303-692-2700.