The city will open three more COVID-19 vaccination sites next week as it continues to target areas that have been historically underserved.
Mayor Michael Hancock on Thursday struck an optimistic tone about the pandemic ending, but warned the city is not quite out of the woods just yet, even as the state approaches the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case. Nearly 60,000 Denver residents have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past year, Hancock said, with 517 residents dying from the virus.
The three new city-sponsored vaccine sites include:
- Bear Valley Library, opening March 7
- Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in Northeast Park Hill, opening March 9
- Barnum Recreational Center, opening March 10
Hancock said the three sites are for people living in those neighborhoods in order to ensure Black and Latino residents have access to vaccines. He said eligible people living in these neighborhoods who want to schedule appointments should call 720-865-3005. (Note: If you get a "not in service" message, that means more than 30 people are calling in at that time, a city spokesperson told Denverite over email. The city is working on increasing capacity.)
The city opened its first sponsored vaccination site in Montbello last month.
"I'm going to ask that if you live outside of these communities, please help us keep these appointments available to those in these neighborhoods by using one of the other options available to you," Hancock said.
Additionally, the city will partner with the Auraria Campus for a one-day vaccine clinic on March 7. City spokesperson Mike Strott said over text that site will have a limited number of vaccines (around 800), so it will only be open for a day. Hancock said this site will be for campus faculty and people who live nearby. He said Denver Health and COVID Check Colorado will be doing outreach in the area to register people living in under-vaccinated zip codes.
Hancock said that eligible inmates in Denver jails will also be vaccinated, with help from Denver Health.
Data from Denver Public Health shows more than 110,000 city residents have gotten an initial vaccine dose, while more than 63,000 have received both doses.
Denver is under Level Yellow on the state's dial.
Denver Public Library will open nine branches starting March 9. And the Rockies announced last week they will be allowing some fans into Coors Field this season, after getting approval from the state's health department to open at 25 percent capacity. Dr. Bill Burman, executive director of Denver Public Health, called it a "reasonable" decision.
To commemorate Denverites who have died from COVID-19, the City and County Building's tower will be lit up in white starting next week. It will be lit red and white to recognize first responders later this month.
