State Immunization Laws for Healthcare
Workers and Patients

Immunization Administration Requirements
For State: CO

** Click on each result to read the abridged text of the state immunization law.

Patient Type	Vaccine	Requirement
Hospital Employees	Hepatitis B[1]	No
	Influenza[2]	Ensure[565]
	MMR[3]	No
	Varicella[4]	No
	Pneumococcal[5]	No
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[6]	Yes – (M)[567]
Hospital Inpatients	Influenza[7]	No
	Pneumococcal[8]	No
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[9]	No
Individual Providers' Patients	Any Immunization[10]	No
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[11]	No
Ambulatory Care Facilities Employees	Any Immunization[12]	Ensure[566]
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[13]	Yes – (M)[568]
Ambulatory Care Facilities Patients	Any Immunization[14]	No
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[15]	No
Correctional Inmates and Residents	Any Immunization[16]	No
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[17]	No
Developmentally Disabled Facility Residents	Any Immunization[18]	Ensure[46]
	Medical(M),Religious(R), or Philosophical(P) Exemptions[19]	Yes – (M)[47] , (R)[48], & (P)[49]
	[]

[1] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer hepatitis B vaccine to any employees of the hospital, or ensure that any such employees are vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine?
[2] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer influenza vaccine to any employees of the hospital, or ensure that any such employees are vaccinated with influenza vaccine?
[3] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine (or any component thereof) to any employees of the hospital, or ensure that any such employees are vaccinated with MMR vaccine?
[4] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer varicella vaccine to any employees of the hospital, or ensure that any such employees are vaccinated with varicella vaccine?
[5] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine to any employees of the hospital, or ensure that any such employees are vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine?	Top of Page
[6] If any hospitals are required to ensure that any hospital employees are vaccinated with hepatitis B, influenza, MMR, varicella or pneumococcal vaccine, does the jurisdiction provide any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?
[7] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer any inpatients of the hospital influenza vaccine, or ensure that any inpatients are vaccinated with influenza vaccine?
[8] Does the jurisdiction require that any hospitals offer any inpatients of the hospital pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, or ensure that any inpatients are vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine?
[9] If any hospitals are required to ensure that any hospital inpatients are vaccinated with influenza or pneumococcal vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?	Top of Page
[10] Does the jurisdiction require that any individual healthcare providers offer any vaccinations to any patients, or ensure that any patients are vaccinated with any vaccines?
[11] If any individual providers are required to ensure that any of their patients are vaccinated with any vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?
[12] Does the jurisdiction require that any ambulatory care facilities offer any vaccinations to any employees, or ensure that any employees are vaccinated with any vaccines?
[13] If any ambulatory care facilities are required to ensure that any employees are vaccinated with any vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?	Top of Page
[14] Does the jurisdiction require that any ambulatory care facilities offer any vaccinations to any patients, or ensure that any patients are vaccinated with any vaccines?
[15] If any ambulatory care facilities are required to ensure that any patients are vaccinated with any vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide for any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?
[16] Does the jurisdiction require that any correctional facilities or juvenile detention centers offer any vaccinations to any inmates or juveniles, or ensure that any inmates or juveniles are vaccinated with any vaccines?
[17] If any correctional centers or juvenile detention centers are required to ensure that any inmates or juveniles are vaccinated with any vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide for any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?	Top of Page
[18] Does the jurisdiction require that any residential facilities for the developmentally disabled or mentally retarded offer any residents any vaccinations, or ensure that any residents are vaccinated with any vaccines?
[19] If any residential facilities for the developmentally disabled or mentally retarded are required to ensure that any residents are vaccinated with any vaccines, does the jurisdiction provide for any medical, religious or philosophical exemptions to such administration requirements?
[46] For Colorado requirements, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106, relating to “child care centers.” Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106 provides that the department shall prescribe and publish standards for licensing. Standards prescribed by such rules shall include provisions that ensure that verification in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S., is undertaken by family child care homes, foster care homes, and child care centers ensuring that each child has received appropriate immunizations against contagious diseases as follows: (1) children up to twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with the “Infant Immunization Act”, part 17 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S.; and (2) children over twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S. Part 9 of article 4 of title 25, pertaining to school-entry requirements, provides that no child shall attend any school unless he/she has presented to the appropriate school official: (1) an up-to-date certificate of immunization from a licensed physician or authorized representative of the department of public health and environment or local health department stating that such child has received immunization against communicable diseases as specified by the state board of health, based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services or the American Academy of Pediatrics; or (2) a written authorization signed by one parent or guardian or an authorization signed by the emancipated child requesting that local health officials administer the immunizations. Conditional admission is permissible under certain specified circumstances. Part 17 of article 4 of title 25, pertaining to the infant immunization program, provides that every person vested with legal custody or decision-making responsibility for the medical care of a minor, or person otherwise responsible for the care of an infant residing in this state shall be responsible for having such infant vaccinated in compliance with the schedule of vaccinations established by the Board of Health. A “child care center” is defined in as Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-102 as facility, by whatever name known, that is maintained for the whole or part of a day for the care of five or more children who are eighteen years of age or younger and who are not related to the owner, operator, or manager thereof, whether such facility is operated with or without compensation for such care and with or without stated educational purposes. The term includes, but is not limited to, facilities commonly known as day care centers, school-age child care centers, before and after school programs, nursery schools, kindergartens, preschools, day camps, summer camps, and centers for developmentally disabled children.
[47] For Colorado, for medical exemptions to the immunization requirements of Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-903(2)(a). Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106 provides that that the department shall prescribe and publish standards for licensing. Standards prescribed by such rules shall include provisions that ensure that verification in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S., is undertaken by family child care homes, foster care homes, and child care centers ensuring that each child has received appropriate immunizations against contagious diseases as follows: (1) children up to twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with the “Infant Immunization Act”, part 17 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S.; and (2) children over twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S. Part 9 of article 4 of title 25, pertaining to school-entry requirements, provides that a child is exempted from immunization by submitting to the student's school certification from a licensed physician that the physical condition of the student is such that one or more specified immunizations would endanger his or her life or health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions. Part 17 of article 4 of title 25 provides that an infant is exempted from immunization requirements upon submitting certification signed by a licensed physician that the physical condition of the infant is such that one or more specified immunizations would endanger the infant’s life or health.	Top of Page
[48] For Colorado, for religious exemptions to the immunization requirements of Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-903(2)(b). Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106 provides that that the department shall prescribe and publish standards for licensing. Standards prescribed by such rules shall include provisions that ensure that verification in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S., is undertaken by family child care homes, foster care homes, and child care centers ensuring that each child has received appropriate immunizations against contagious diseases as follows: (1) children up to twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with the “Infant Immunization Act”, part 17 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S.; and (2) children over twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S. Part 9 of article 4 of title 25, pertaining to school-entry requirements, provides that a child is exempted from immunization by submitting to the student's school a statement of exemption signed by one parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older that the parent, guardian, or student is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations or that the parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations. Part 17 of article 4 of title 25 provides that an infant is exempted from immunization requirements upon submitting a statement signed by one parent or guardian that such parent or guardian adheres to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations, or that such parent or guardian has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.
[49] For Colorado, for philosophical exemptions to the immunization requirements of Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106, see Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-903(2)(b). Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26-6-106 provides that that the department shall prescribe and publish standards for licensing. Standards prescribed by such rules shall include provisions that ensure that verification in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S., is undertaken by family child care homes, foster care homes, and child care centers ensuring that each child has received appropriate immunizations against contagious diseases as follows: (1) children up to twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with the “Infant Immunization Act”, part 17 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S.; and (2) children over twenty-four months of age shall be required to be immunized in accordance with part 9 of article 4 of title 25, C.R.S. Part 9 of article 4 of title 25, pertaining to school-entry requirements, provides that a child is exempted from immunization by submitting to the student's school a statement of exemption signed by one parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older that the parent, guardian, or student is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations or that the parent or guardian or the emancipated student or student eighteen years of age or older has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations. Part 17 of article 4 of title 25 provides that an infant is exempted from immunization requirements upon submitting a statement signed by one parent or guardian that such parent or guardian adheres to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations, or that such parent or guardian has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.
[565] For Colorado requirements, see 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 10, pertaining to influenza immunization of healthcare workers. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.8 provides that each licensed hospital, hospital unit, ambulatory surgical center and long-term care facility shall have a written policy regarding the annual influenza immunization of its healthcare workers that, at a minimum, ensures that each of its healthcare workers has either proof of immunization or a medical exemption signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse or nurse midwife licensed in the State of Colorado stating that influenza vaccination for that individual is medically contraindicated as described in the product labeling approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.8 additionally provides that such written policy must ensure that each healthcare worker who does not have proof of immunization wears a surgical or procedure mask during influenza season when in direct contact with patients and in common areas as specified by the licensee’s policy. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.6 provides for exemptions to the requirements of Sections 10.7 through 10.12 if a licensed healthcare entity demonstrates that it has vaccinated a targeted percentage of its employees in a given year, using its own methodology, and continues to use the same or more stringent methodology. The minimum targets required for the exemption are 60 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2012; 75 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2013, and 90 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2014 and December 31 of each year thereafter. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.5 defines a hospital as a facility licensed and regulated pursuant to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter IV, General Hospitals and defines a healthcare worker as any person working in a healthcare entity who has the potential for exposure to patients, residents, or consumers of the healthcare entity and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air. The definition of healthcare worker does not include volunteers.
[566] For Colorado requirements, see 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 10, pertaining to influenza immunization of healthcare workers. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.8 provides that each licensed hospital, hospital unit, ambulatory surgical center and long-term care facility shall have a written policy regarding the annual influenza immunization of its healthcare workers that, at a minimum, ensures that each of its healthcare workers has either proof of immunization or a medical exemption signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse or nurse midwife licensed in the State of Colorado stating that influenza vaccination for that individual is medically contraindicated as described in the product labeling approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.8 additionally provides that such written policy must ensure that each healthcare worker who does not have proof of immunization wears a surgical or procedure mask during influenza season when in direct contact with patients and in common areas as specified by the licensee’s policy. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.6 provides for exemptions to the requirements of Sections 10.7 through 10.12 if a licensed healthcare entity demonstrates that it has vaccinated a targeted percentage of its employees in a given year, using its own methodology, and continues to use the same or more stringent methodology. The minimum targets required for the exemption are 60 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2012; 75 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2013, and 90 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2014 and December 31 of each year thereafter. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.5 defines an ambulatory surgical center as a facility that is licensed and regulated pursuant to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter XX, Ambulatory Surgical Center and defines a healthcare worker as any person working in a healthcare entity who has the potential for exposure to patients, residents, or consumers of the healthcare entity and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air. The definition of healthcare worker does not include volunteers.	Top of Page
[567] For Colorado, for exemptions to the immunization requirements of 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 10, see 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 §10.8(A)(2). 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 §10.8(A)(2) provides that in lieu of proof of immunization, a healthcare worker may have a medical exemption signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse or nurse midwife licensed in the State of Colorado stating that influenza vaccination for that individual is medically contraindicated as described in the product labeling approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Note also that 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.6 provides for exemptions to the requirements of Sections 10.7 through 10.12 if a licensed healthcare entity demonstrates that it has vaccinated a targeted percentage of its employees in a given year, using its own methodology, and continues to use the same or more stringent methodology. The minimum targets required for the exemption are 60 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2012; 75 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2013, and 90 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2014 and December 31 of each year thereafter. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.5 defines a hospital as a facility licensed and regulated pursuant to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter IV, General Hospitals and defines a healthcare worker as any person working in a healthcare entity who has the potential for exposure to patients, residents, or consumers of the healthcare entity and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air. The definition of healthcare worker does not include volunteers.
[568] For Colorado, for exemptions to the immunization requirements of 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 10, see 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 §10.8(A)(2). 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 §10.8(A)(2) provides that in lieu of proof of immunization, a healthcare worker may have a medical exemption signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurse or nurse midwife licensed in the State of Colorado stating that influenza vaccination for that individual is medically contraindicated as described in the product labeling approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Note also that 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.6 provides for exemptions to the requirements of Sections 10.7 through 10.12 if a licensed healthcare entity demonstrates that it has vaccinated a targeted percentage of its employees in a given year, using its own methodology, and continues to use the same or more stringent methodology. The minimum targets required for the exemption are 60 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2012; 75 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2013, and 90 percent of employees vaccinated by December 31, 2014 and December 31 of each year thereafter. 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2, §10.5 defines an ambulatory surgical center as a facility that is licensed and regulated pursuant to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter XX, Ambulatory Surgical Center and defines a healthcare worker as any person working in a healthcare entity who has the potential for exposure to patients, residents, or consumers of the healthcare entity and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air. The definition of healthcare worker does not include volunteers.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this database is to provide researchers, policymakers, and state and local public health practitioners with descriptive information concerning state immunization-related law. No part of this legal analysis involves providing legal advice or answering specific questions of law on behalf of any person or organization.