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.

XCEL Energy Announces POTENTIAL Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Wednesday, December 17 @ 12 PM - Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, 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 POTENTIAL Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Wednesday, December 17 @ 12 p.m. for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties Xcel Energy has issued notice that they may turn off power (called a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS) beginning on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. This shutoff is being considered due to hazard risks associated with forecasted high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity.  At this time, the possible shutoff could affect large areas along the front range, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties. Xcel believes it is likely that some power shutoffs will be needed, but expects to better define which areas will be affected within the next 24 hours as weather forecasts become more precise. Xcel provides up-to-date power outage information on its Electric Outage Map.  Regarding power restoration timing, Xcel expects power to return within 24 hours if the power grid is not affected by the weather. If the grid is damaged, restoration could be delayed until Friday. We are seeking more clarity on this timeline. 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. For residential providers, we’d like to remind everyone to have emergency plans and arrangements in place if you cannot provide generator power and need to evacuate medically compromised residents. Other suggestions: 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. For home health/home care agencies and in-home hospice providers with clients at home:  Agencies are responsible for developing individualized emergency plans for their clients, tailored to their specific 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 provide your clients with oxygen for longer if power is lost. If possible, keep enough fully-charged batteries to last a couple of days. Arrange with clients’ oxygen supply companies about a 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 backup emergency oxygen supply. If you have clients who rely on several different types of electrical assistive devices, 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). Should you need assistance with movement, placement or care of patients or residents, please complete this Situational Awareness 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.  Here are some 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 Finally, since all emergencies start locally, we want you to know that local public health agencies and regional healthcare coalitions have been notified about the potential power outages. Make sure that you all have the appropriate local contact information, should you need to reach out for emergency 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 We will continue to keep you updated. For concerns related to the ability to care for residents, patients or clients, please reach out to Melanie Roth at 720-291-5929 or melanie.roth-lawson@state.co.us.

LTC (NF) IDR Committee Meeting 12/2/25

To: LTC (NF) providers From: HFEMSD The LTC (NF) IDR Committee will meet on December 2, 2025, from 1:30p to 4:30p. The meeting will be held remotely unless an in-person meeting is requested via email to elaine.sabyan@state.co.us by close of business on November 28, 2025. You may access the meeting remotely by way of Google Meet or by phone:  Join by Google Meet Join by Phone: 1-386-628-3762 PIN: 605 707 299# Elaine Sabyan

 

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.

Training: Key MDS Changes: October 2025

 

To: MDS Coordinators, Directors of Nursing, Billing and Coding Personnel, Licensed Nursing Facilities Administrators From: The Health Facilities Education and Quality (HFEQ) Branch of the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) Join me for one of two live training events to discuss the Key MDS Changes for October 2025. Each session will cover the same material, so you only need to register for one of the days. If you are unable to attend the live training, a self-paced training will be made available on September 29, 2025. To register for the training, log in to TRAIN.org and select Key MDS Changes: October 2025 (course #1132251) to register for one of the two dates. To take the self-paced training, log in to TRAIN.org and select the option Key MDS Changes: October 2025 available 9/29/2025. For questions or further information, please contact: Wendy Castro MDS State Training Coordinator wendy.castro@state.co.us 303-692-2854

ALR IDR Committee Meeting September 25, 2025

To: ALR providers From: HFEMSD The ALR IDR Committee will meet on 9/25/2025 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will be held remotely unless an in-person meeting is requested via email to elaine.sabyan@state.co.us by close of business on 9/19/2025. You may access the meeting remotely by way of Google Meet or by phone: Join with Google meet Phone: #1-413-889-2316 PIN: 386 980 381#‬‬‬ Or Attend in-person: Carson Room at CDPHE Elaine Sabyann

 

HOSPICE IDR Committee Meeting September 16th, 2025

 

To: HOSPICE providers From: HFEMSD The HOSPICE IDR Committee will not meet 09/16/2025. The committee has not received requests for review.  Elaine Sabyan

HHA IDR Committee Meeting September 16, 2025

 

To: HHA providers From: HFEMSD The HHA IDR Committee will not meet 9/16/2025. The committee has not received requests for review.  Elaine Sabyan

Waiver of Specific Rule Requirements in Response to the Passage of House Bill 25-1213, Concerning Changes to the Medical Assistance Program

 

To: All Licensed Assisted Living Residences and Other Interested Parties From: HFEMSD Colorado’s legislature passed House Bill 25-1213 (HB25-1213) during the 2025 legislative session. Signed by Governor Jared Polis on May 28th, 2025, it became effective on August 6, 2025. Though the majority of the bill contained changes to the Medicaid program as operated by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), there is a section addressing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE’s) use of the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) for reviews of assisted living residences (ALRs) undergoing renovations without construction. The bill adds the following language to Section 25-27-104, C.R.S.: (3)(a)  Rules adopted by the state board pursuant to subsection (1) of this section must exempt an assisted living residence from complying with the facility guideline institute (FGI) guidelines, except in the case of new construction or major renovations. An assisted living residence must still comply with all other fire and local building codes and the standards outlined in this section.  (b) For purposes of subsection (3)(a) of this section, “major renovations” means additions to a building’s structure or changes that affect the structural integrity of the building. Major renovations do not include changing the functional operation of a space if no construction is completed and the floor plan of the building remains the same. It also does not include adding beds to accommodate more residents or upgrades to the heating or cooling and electrical systems if those improvements do not require construction. While the requirement to undergo an FGI review for new construction or major renovations remains unchanged, the new statutory language supersedes existing language in 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 7 rules that currently requires an FGI review for a broader definition of renovations—which includes the addition of beds to existing rooms and changing the functional use of a space and changes to major systems, regardless of whether construction occurred. CDPHE will modify Chapter 7 for consistency with the new statutory language added by HB25-1213 when it next undertakes rule revision activities for that chapter. Until such time, the provisions of the bill will be implemented through a “blanket waiver” which will apply to all licensed ALRs, with no waiver application or approval is necessary.   The waiver is limited to the FGI reviews required by 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 7, Part 20.2, with the addition of a subpart (D).  (D) On and after August 6, 2025, an assisted living residence with an existing, current license is exempt from FGI compliance reviews triggered by a renovation unless such renovation meets the criteria of a “major renovation” as defined at Section 25-27-104 (3)(b), C.R.S. Consistent with the language of HB25-1213, this waives the FGI review requirement for renovations that do not meet the bill’s new “major renovation” threshold, but does not waive requirements that remain unchanged under the law, including, but not limited to: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 2.9.6: Each licensee shall submit to the Department a letter of intent of any change in the information required by Part 2.3.3 of this Chapter from what was contained in the last submitted license application. (A) Changes to the operation of the facility or agency shall not be implemented without prior approval from the Department. A licensee shall, at least thirty (30) calendar days in advance, submit a letter of intent to the Department regarding any of the following proposed changes.  (1) Increase in licensed capacity.  (a) If a licensee requests an increase in capacity that is approved by the Department, an amended license shall be issued upon payment of the appropriate fee.  (b) The Department has the discretion to deny a requested increase in capacity if it determines that the increase poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the licensee’s clients based upon the licensee’s compliance history, or because the licensee is unable to meet the required health and environmental criteria for the increased capacity.  6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 2.8.1, prohibiting the issuance or renewal of a license without a Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Public Safety certifying the building or structure conforms with standards adopted by the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC). These standards, at 8 CCR 1507-31, apply to both the construction and maintenance of health facilities. 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 3.2.1, “Each facility or agency shall be in compliance with all applicable local zoning, housing, fire, and sanitary codes and ordinances of the city, city and county, or county where it is situated, to the extent that such codes and ordinances are consistent with federal law.” Note that these codes, alongside the minimum standards adopted by the DFPC, are independent of FGI standards, and address emergency egress for rooms used for sleeping, among other things. Additionally, the language added by HB25-1213 adds the following language to Section 25-27-104(3)(a) “... An assisted living residence must still comply with all other fire and local building codes and the standards outlined in this section”, ensuring these standards still apply.  6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 7, Part 12 - Resident Care Services, Part 17 - Food and Dining Services, Part 22 – Interior Environment, Part 23 - Environmental Pest Control, and Part 24 - Waste Disposal. These parts continue to apply to all ALRs in their entirety, regardless of whether an FGI compliance review is required or has occurred in a specific situation. They contain, but are not limited to standards for accessibility for residents using auxiliary aids for mobility purposes, minimum access and egress, size and furnishing of spaces, and sleeping room requirements such as square footage, storage space, and window requirements. If you have any questions regarding this legislation and its impact on ALR licensing, survey, and enforcement, contact Dr. Steve Cox, Home and Community Facilities Branch Chief, at steve.cox@state.co.us. Elaine McManis, RN Division Director Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division

LTC (NF) IDR Committee Meeting on September 2, 2025

To: LTC (NF) Providers From: HFEMSD The LTC (NF) IDR Committee will meet on September 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. This meeting will be held remotely unless an in-person meeting is requested via email to elaine.sabyan@state.co.us by close of business on 8/29//25. Listen by video on Google Meet To listen by phone: 1 414-436-7416 PIN: 828 754 584# Elaine Sabyan

 

Delayed effective date for 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - General Licensure Requirements

 

To: Health Facilities Regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment From: HFEMSD This notice affects all health facilities regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment under 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, General Licensure Standards. The Colorado Board of Health adopted changes to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, General Licensure Standards, on June 18, 2025. This set of rules detailed the alignment of the Colorado No Surprises Act with the federal No Surprises Act, adopted an updated version of the Facilities Guidelines Institute Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, included conforming amendments with other statutory changes, clarified existing rules, and made minor editorial changes.  The anticipated effective date was August 14, 2025. Unfortunately, due to a publication error, those rules will not become effective until September 15, 2025. As always, facilities will be expected to comply with the rules currently in effect unless those have been superseded by statutory change.  Again, the rules adopted by the Colorado Board of Health, 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, will now become effective September 15, 2025.  Please contact the Department of Public Health and Environment at grace.sandeno@state.co.us with any additional questions regarding this Chapter 2 rulemaking.