Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is providing a free, voluntary, statewide COVID-19 testing program for all public, private, tribal, and charter schools for the 2021-22 school year. This weekly testing program is available to all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status or presence of symptoms. The program is free and will provide all necessary resources, including staff, for schools to implement the weekly testing.
This critical COVID-19 testing program serves as another preventative measure against the virus, so we can rapidly detect infection and asymptomatic outbreaks. By promoting preventative measures against COVID-19, we can help minimize disruptions and ensure continued in-person learning
All tests and support materials are provided at no cost to school districts or schools with Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Reopening Schools award funds. Student incentives, in the form of a gift card, will be $25 for the first test; and $10 for each subsequent test (not to exceed one incentive per week). The student incentives portion of this free COVID-19 school screening testing program is optional. School staff are encouraged to be tested as part of this program as well, but are not eligible to receive incentives.
Financial support to participating school districts and schools will equate to $2.50 per test to cover school costs, paid retroactively and on a monthly basis. CDPHE is working closely with Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to distribute these funds. All individual school types have the ability to opt out of receiving the financial support.
All students under 18 must obtain parental consent in order to participate.
Schools can choose from two options to administer the program: Full Service or Direct Ship. Full Service provides schools with all services needed to implement testing, including staff, and requires minimal assistance from school personnel. Direct Ship provides schools with all testing supplies, the school administers the tests, and manages the program for students and staff.
Students and staff will receive a weekly rapid antigen test, which provides results within approximately 15 minutes.
The designated testing vendor has a portal which you can access at this link [SCHOOL TO INSERT LINK]. At this portal, you can enroll your child in the program. If needed, hard copy enrollment forms will be available to you as well.
This program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $173,450,305 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC, HHS, or the U.S. Government.