1 Year Since 1st Coronavirus Case Reported In Colorado

Colorado's first coronavirus case was reported a year ago in Summit County, and since then, more than 5,900 people of all ages in Colorado have died from the virus, state data shows.

Coloradans have lost spouses, parents, children, grandparents and other loved ones. Many have also lost their jobs, their businesses and their homes. Kids lost the important face-to-face interactions that shaped so many of our own childhoods, and countless Coloradans of all ages have struggled with isolation and mental health issues.

While the first positive tests in our state were reported March 5, 2020, the coronavirus was likely spreading in Colorado for several months prior, public health officials said.

Over the past year, more than 23,700 COVID-19 hospitalizations have been reported in Colorado, and 3,949 outbreaks have been reported in our state, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

More than 2.5 million COVID-19 tests have been taken — 431,670 of which were positive, the state data shows.

But in an act of American innovation and resilience, the Moderna and Pfizer coronavirus vaccines were fast tracked and 70 percent of Colorado's most vulnerable population — those ages 70 and older — received at least their first dose by the end of February, Gov. Jared Polis announced.

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Around 75 percent of eligible Colorado educators received their first shot by Sunday.

Coloradans ages 60 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B3 on Friday. The new phase will also include Coloradans ages 16 to 59 who have two or more high-risk conditions, agriculture workers and grocery store workers.

Colorado is also receiving its first shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — 45,500 doses — this week, officials said.

Coloradans ages 50 and older will be eligible to get vaccinated by late March, Polis said.

Polis said he expects life to return to normal in Colorado by the summer after the majority of Coloradans receive their vaccines.

But our resilience will need to continue, as the lasting mental health, educational and economic effects of the pandemic will likely be experienced for years to come.

>> Learn more about how to get vaccinated here.