COVID-19 & the CU Anschutz Community

March 12, 2021

A Message From Chancellor Elliman

Staying the Course

As Colorado and many other states continue to make progress in the COVID-19 vaccination effort, there is much to look forward to in the coming months. However, the risk of getting and spreading the novel coronavirus is still very real, and we must stay the course a while longer to get through this together.

You may have seen recent recommendations from the CDC for individuals who have been fully vaccinated - which is defined as two weeks after receiving the second dose of two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

While this is great news for those who have been fully vaccinated, the majority of Coloradans are still awaiting their opportunity to receive the vaccine. At CU Anschutz, these new CDC recommendations do not change our current operations or on-campus safety protocols. 

Please continue to complete the daily health questionnaire if approved for on-campus activity. Wear a mask, keep your distance, and stay home and self-report when sick, even once vaccinated.

Stay safe,

Don Elliman
Chancellor

Weekend Weather & Testing Closures

As announced this morning, non-essential university operations are closed this weekend due to the impending winter storm. 

On-campus COVID-19 testing in the Education 1 Building through COVIDCheck Colorado, and on-campus drive-up testing through Environmental Health & Safety, will be closed on Monday, March 15, due to weather. Those with appointments have been notified to reschedule; hours for next week can be found here.

Daily Health Questionnaire Still Required

With your help, the simpler check-in process on campus is going smoothly. Please note that the daily health questionnaire is still required of everyone approved to come to campus every day. Remember to take your own temperature at home or a campus self-service station. 

No more in-person screening or wristbands required. Masks, physical distancing and other protocols remain in place. In-person assistance is available at the COVID concierge in Hensel-Phelps.

Take Updated Skillsoft Training by March 31

All students and employees must take updated Skillsoft training by March 31, titled “CU: COVID-19 Return to Campus-CU Anschutz (2021 update).” 

Please note that this updated Skillsoft training requirement is an addition to the previous “COVID-19: Return to Campus” training. It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.

Upon completing the course, you may print a certificate for your records as detailed in the Skillsoft Completion Certificates Step-by-Step Guide.

Vaccines & CU Anschutz

Phased distribution of vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is well underway in Colorado. The university does not have doses at this time. We continue to work with our state and public health partners to ensure our campus community is vaccinated as early as allowed.

Phase 1B.3 opened March 5. This phase includes Coloradans age 60 and older, and those ages 16 to 59 with two or more high-risk conditions. 

Phase 1B.4 is currently estimated to open later in March. This phase includes student-facing higher education employees, people age 50 and older, individuals ages 16 to 49 with one high-risk condition, and frontline essential workers in areas including public health, human services, journalism, transportation and food service. We hope that the majority of our remaining faculty and staff become eligible in this phase. More information will follow as this becomes clear, and we will continue to update the CU Anschutz vaccine webpage as we know more.

You are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine at your earliest opportunity to do so once eligible, whether through one of our hospital partners or another provider. One way to get the vaccine may be through UCHealth. Make sure you have a My Health Connection account, or set one up, using the button below. This ensures you are set up for email notification of vaccination options when available through the UCHealth system.

Find information on how to access vaccines through other providers here.

COVID-19 Tests Through March 31

Remember, no-cost testing is available through March 31, 2021, for CU Anschutz employees, students and household members. Learn more and register here.

As noted above, on-campus testing in the Education 1 Building through COVIDCheck Colorado and on-campus drive-up testing through Environmental Health & Safety are closed on Monday, March 15, due to weather. Find updated schedules here.

Please note that the CU Anschutz on-campus, drive-up testing location operated by Environmental Health & Safety is only available to students, employees and their relatives or campus-affiliated household members. Insurance information will be collected for testing at this location. Friends and unrelated household members should register for testing at COVIDCheck Colorado sites.

Remember to self-report your status if you have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive or may have been exposed, even once you’ve been vaccinated.

Campus Resources & Reminders

• Read about the COVID-19 vaccination effort and hear from our experts in the Vaccine Series in the CU Anschutz newsroom.
• Students can share input and ideas with university leadership with the CU Anschutz Listens form.
• The free COVID-19 in Colorado webinar series continues every other Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
• Keep up with Colorado’s latest COVID-19 guidance.