Colorado's 1st Federal Community Vaccination Site To Open

PUEBLO, CO — An eight-week federal pilot community vaccination site is scheduled to open April 14 in Pueblo, Gov. Jared Polis and the White House announced Monday.

The current state-run site at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Avenue, will become a federal clinic, officials said.

The federal partnership will increase vaccination capacity from 1,750 vaccines per day to up to 3,000 vaccines per day; however a portion will be allocated to mobile vaccination buses, Polis said.

The Pueblo pilot clinic and buses aim to increase vaccination rates in rural communities such as Alamosa, Bent, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties, among others, officials said.

Communities in southern Colorado have been particularly hard-hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with less access to health services and vaccines compared to urban communities in Colorado, public health officials said.

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"This isn’t only about quantity, but also equity," Polis said in a statement.

"With this transition, we’ll be able to increase supply for the site, and reach more folks in many of our rural and agricultural communities, making it quick, easy, and convenient for them to get vaccinated. Getting the vaccine isn’t just about protecting yourself, but your loved ones and your community, so make sure to schedule your appointment as soon as you’re able.”

The new federal clinic in Pueblo will open at 7 a.m. each day, seven days a week, officials said. Vaccination appointments can be scheduled here.