Group protests vaccine requirements outside two Colorado Springs hospitals

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- On Monday morning a group of people protested vaccination requirements outside UCHealth and Children's Colorado in Colorado Springs.

The group, Patriots for Life, declined to speak on camera but offered a statement. The statement says they're a group of concerned, peaceful, and law-abiding patriotic citizens. They oppose the discrimination of the unvaccinated, as well as those who support the vaccine and mask mandates.

The statement went on to say, "Our goal is to provide a network of support, including legal, for any citizen being persecuted or oppressed while exercising their Constitutional rights."

The deadline for team members at UCHealth and Children's Hospital Colorado to be fully vaccinated is three weeks away. This is a month ahead of the new state requirement for workers in all hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.

In an email to KRDO, a spokesperson for UCHealth said, "We've heard there might be a small group of people near Union and Briargate, but I don't know if they are employees of ours, employees of other health care systems, or people unconnected to health care. UCHealth respects our employees' rights to share their opinions, and we continue to listen to employees' questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and to share information with them."

UCHealth says 95% of staff and providers are vaccinated, and when they include approved medical and religious exemptions, 99% are compliant with the vaccine policy.

Those who don't meet the deadline could eventually lose their jobs.

Team members at Children's Colorado who don't meet the vaccine deadline will be subject to stricter safety requirements and will be routinely tested.