COVID wave may be smaller than previous surges, but the state still expects more than 500 hospitalizations next month
Driven by a pair of super-transmissible omicron sub variants, more people are catching COVID-19, and key coronavirus trends are heading in the wrong direction in Colorado. But immunity from vaccinations and previous infections will help the state weather the wave.
By John Daley
Flavor ban bill dies in Senate committee as session scrambles to wrap up
The bill had been heavily lobbied and one of the session’s most high-profile and closely watched bills.
By John Daley
More Coloradans are vaccinated than ever — but will the state see another wave coming?
As governments drop masking and contact tracing, public health experts worry Colorado and the U.S. may be flying blind.
By John Daley
Flavored tobacco ban bill heads to state Senate with a week left in Colorado’s legislative session
The bill is up against a ticking clock, more than 140 lobbyists and opposition from Gov. Jared Polis and some lawmakers.
By John Daley
How Colorado’s flavored nicotine ban debate raises questions about racial justice and where the state gets money
Lawmakers with personal stories of how flavored tobacco, particularly menthol, is marketed to Black communities and parents trying to keep kids off nicotine. One the other is Polis’ view that it’s a local issue — and tied to funding his universal pre-K plan — and vape shop owners who want to stay in business.
The fight over Denver’s flavor ban put the personal against the political, and set up state lawmakers for high-stakes debate
The current fight to ban flavored tobacco products is at the statehouse, but the debate has its roots in local politics.
By John Daley
Colorado will see a rise in COVID cases, but not the heights of previous waves, according to modeling
There’s an uptick in COVID-19 trends, but the peak is expected to be considerably lower than previous ones.
By John Daley
The fight to ban Menthols and flavored vapes
Lawmakers are debating whether to ban menthol cigarettes, flavored vapes and similar products. It’s an issue that’s pulled in tons of lobbying money and is causing some deep divisions between usual political allies.
COVID strain BA.2 driving up infections in Colorado slightly, but few severe cases reported
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Colorado dipped to a low of 77 on Wednesday. That’s down from the previous week, and nearly 1,600 from the peak of the omicron wave in January.
By John Daley
Colorado COVID-19 hospitalizations below 100, an all-time low
The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Colorado fell this week below 100 for the first time in the pandemic.
By John Daley
Colorado’s COVID numbers remain low, but health officials are watching for signs of rising trends
About 30 percent of Colorado’s eligible population are still missing their third COVID shot, to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
By John Daley
Colorado COVID-19 hospitalizations hit two-year low, but BA.2 variant raises concerns
The number of Coloradans now hospitalized with COVID-19 is at its lowest point in two years, but experts are still keeping a close eye on variants.
By John Daley
New omicron variant found in Denver but so far it’s not a major threat
The strain is known as the COVID-19 BA.2 variant — some call it “stealth Omicron.” The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), said for now, it’s not concerned about a surge in cases as seen with previous variants, based on current data and projections from federal and state health agencies.
By John Daley
One pediatric clinic, two years of COVID and countless lessons in weathering a pandemic
It’s a Wednesday and Dr. Shen Nagel, a pediatrician, is at work. “How’s he doing?”
By John Daley
Coloradans welcome ‘a little break’ after two years with COVID
Transmission, cases, hospitalizations have all been dropping to levels not seen since last summer, and so are many restrictions and recommendations on things like masks.
By John Daley
Colorado reports just 52 COVID cases on Friday as health officials see light at the end of the tunnel
For the first time since the state started collecting COVID-19 data, the number of reported cases dropped below 100.