Colorado COVID-19 Testing Criteria
En Español
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is encouraging anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 to speak with a health care provider and get tested. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, and chills.
Testing is also available for anyone (with or without symptoms) who is:
- Currently employed as a health care or nursing home worker, or first responder
- An essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working, per state or employer guidelines
Some of the site listed below are also offering testing to those without symptoms but who have had close contact with someone with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19.
A Positive Test Result
Anyone who tests positive will need to isolate and monitor their symptoms. Members of the same household and those who have been in close contact will need to quarantine.
Federal law requires up to two weeks paid leave for anyone who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and who work for an employers with fewer than 500 employees. (Some employers with 50 or fewer employees may be exempt). The Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay Rules (“Colorado HELP Rules”) adds coverage for workers as well. Read more in the FAQ.
Antibody Testing
There are a very limited number of FDA-approved antibody (or Serological) tests currently available. Because COVID-19 is so new, some of the antibody tests currently available may only tell a person if they have been exposed to the virus, and not if they are immune to future infection. Anyone interested in an antibody test should talk with their healthcare provider.
