Denver: COVID-19 vaccine required for all city employees, private-sector workers in high-risk settings

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- During a press conference Monday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced all city employees and private-sector workers in high-risk settings are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

According to 9News, this public health order applies to more than 10,000 employees, including police officers, firefighters, and sheriff's deputies.

The city provided a list of the following employees:

• City Employees
  • All City and County of Denver employees
  • Including DEN, DPL, boards and commissions, elected officials
• High Risk Occupations
  • First responders
  • Hospitals and clinical settings
  • Long-term care
  • Home health care providers
• High Risk Settings
  • Shelters
  • Correctional facilities
  • Child care providers
  • Teachers
  • Personnel in schools

Employees have until September 30 to get fully vaccinated.

The public health order does not change the city and county's current regulations regarding masks. At this time, Denver Public Health & Environment strongly encourages masks for unvaccinated or immunocompromised people along with social distancing.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 reached out to Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers' office to see if a similar public health order was on the horizon in El Paso County. The Mayor provided the following statement:

'The City of Colorado Springs will continue to monitor all information available concerning the spread of COVID-19 and to discuss options with state and county health department officials. As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, we will pay close attention to the level of burden on our health care system. Our goal will be to balance the safety and liberty interests of our employees in determining the best course of action. We strongly encourage all eligible members of our community, including all City employees to get vaccinated. It is clearly the greatest protection against infection by COVID-19 and its variants.  The vaccines are free and widely available in El Paso County, with many convenient locations, hours, and options: https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/how-can-i-get-a-vaccine.'- Mayor John Suthers

Read more on the updated public health order here.

Watch the full press conference below: