Sarah Bennett
Colorado law requires all students attending schools and licensed childcare facilities to be vaccinated against specific diseases, with exemptions available. The state's Department of Public Health and Environment collects immunization data from public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as childcare centers, preschools, and Head Start programs catering to ten or more children. The National Immunization Survey provides vaccination coverage estimates for 19–35-month-olds, while the annual kindergarten school immunization survey assesses rates at school entry. Additionally, new college and university residents must provide documentation of a recent meningococcal ACWY vaccine or sign a waiver.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who must report | Public, private and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children |
| Who does not need to report | School-age child care centers, family child care homes, drop-in centers, day treatment centers, foster care homes, day camps, and resident camps |
| Vaccines required for students attending Colorado schools and licensed childcare | Hepatitis B (Hep B) |
| Vaccines recommended by ACIP | Meningococcal, Hepatitis A, Rotavirus, Human papillomavirus, and Influenza |
| Vaccines required for new college and university students living in student housing | Meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years, unless a waiver is signed |
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What You'll Learn
Colorado vaccination requirements for schools and licensed childcare providers
In Colorado, public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as childcare centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for ten or more children, must report immunization data. This also applies to some colleges and universities. Colorado law requires children who attend licensed childcare and preschool to be vaccinated against diseases that vaccines can prevent, unless a Certificate of Exemption is filed. The CDC recommends immunizations for COVID-19, hepatitis A, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and rotavirus for children in childcare, but these are not required for childcare or school entry in Colorado.
Colorado's vaccination requirements for schools state that students physically attending college or university classes must provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. This does not apply to students taking classes off-campus, those offered to nontraditional adult students, or at institutions without residence hall facilities. New college and university students living in student housing must have documentation of a meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last five years or sign a waiver.
If a child cannot get vaccines for medical reasons, a Certificate of Medical Exemption must be submitted to the school. This must be signed by an advanced practice nurse, physician, or physician assistant licensed to practice in any US state or territory. If a parent or guardian chooses not to vaccinate their child for non-medical reasons, they must submit a Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption to their preschool or childcare program. This must be submitted at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 18 months of age and expires when the next vaccines are due or when the child enrolls in kindergarten.
The National Immunization Survey provides national and state estimates of vaccination coverage among 19–35-month-olds, including vaccines such as DTaP, MMR, polio, hepatitis B, and varicella. The annual kindergarten school immunization survey assesses vaccination rates at school entry and includes vaccine exemption and compliance rates.
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Vaccination exemption criteria
In Colorado, public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children, are required to report immunization data.
The state offers exemptions to school-required vaccines based on medical, religious, or personal beliefs. Here are the criteria for each type of exemption:
Medical Exemption:
This exemption is available for students with a medical condition that prevents them from receiving one or more school-required vaccines. A Certificate of Exemption must be submitted to each school or childcare the student attends, and the exemption status must be reflected in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS).
Religious Exemption:
A non-medical exemption can be obtained based on religious beliefs that are opposed to immunizations. This process can be completed by parents/guardians, emancipated students, or students 18 years or older. A Certificate of Non-Medical Exemption can be obtained by reviewing and completing the Online Immunization Education Module, which does not require a healthcare provider's signature. However, the student's healthcare provider must meet the criteria to sign the certificate and be willing to provide immunization consultation.
Personal Belief Exemption:
Similar to the religious exemption, a non-medical exemption can also be obtained based on personal beliefs that are opposed to immunizations. The process and requirements for obtaining the Certificate of Non-Medical Exemption are the same as for the religious exemption.
It is important to note that while vaccine providers are required to report medical and non-medical exemptions to the CIIS, individuals can also contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to add their exemption information. Additionally, individuals are responsible for maintaining their own exemption records and providing a copy of the Certificate of Exemption to their school or childcare.
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Vaccination data reporting requirements for schools
In Colorado, public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children, are required to report immunization data. Some colleges and universities must also report this data. Schools with online-only students are exempt from reporting, but they must still collect immunization or exemption forms for their students.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides guidance and resources for college and university staff regarding immunization requirements. The department also offers access to the Colorado Health Informatics Data System (CHIDS) for schools and child care centers to complete their reporting requirements.
Colorado law (Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2) mandates that all students attending Colorado schools and licensed child care facilities be vaccinated against specific diseases unless an exemption is filed. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) establishes the minimum number and spacing of doses in its Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedules. Even after meeting the initial vaccine requirements, students must continue to comply with any additional requirements.
The National Immunization Survey provides state and national estimates of vaccination coverage among 19–35-month-olds, including vaccines such as DTaP, MMR, polio, hib, hepatitis B, varicella, PCV, rotavirus, and hepatitis A. The annual kindergarten school immunization survey evaluates vaccination rates at school entry, including vaccine exemption and compliance rates for Colorado kindergartners.
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Recommended vaccines for students
In Colorado, public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children, are required to report immunization data. The state follows the recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of medical and public health experts who study and recommend vaccines for the public.
Before starting kindergarten, students in Colorado must receive their final doses of DTaP, IPV, MMR, and varicella. Before entering the sixth grade, students must receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine, even if they are 10 years old. The CDC also recommends COVID-19, hepatitis A (HepA), human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza (flu), and meningococcal disease (MenACWY and MenB) vaccines for the K–12 population.
Colorado offers several resources for families seeking immunization information and services. The state's Department of Public Health and Environment provides a website with detailed information on school-required vaccines and exemption procedures. Additionally, the Immunization Program in Boulder County educates community members, healthcare providers, schools, and daycare facilities about childhood and adult vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. This program offers routinely recommended vaccines for children and adults at clinics, community events, and during outbreaks and epidemics.
Families seeking free or low-cost vaccines in Colorado can visit COVax4Kids.org, contact their local public health agency, or dial 2-1-1 for information on Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and vaccine clinics in their area. Colorado also allows residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines at participating providers and pharmacies without a prescription, with costs covered by health insurance.
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Vaccination coverage estimates for Colorado
Colorado tracks vaccination rates for all schools, including private schools and preschools. Colorado law requires all students attending schools and licensed childcare facilities to be vaccinated against specific diseases unless an exemption is filed. This rule applies to public, private, and parochial schools with grades K–12, as well as childcare centres, preschools, and Head Start programmes catering to ten or more children.
The state offers a step-by-step guide on accessing the Colorado Health Informatics Data System to help schools and childcare providers complete their reporting.
The National Immunization Survey provides national and state estimates of vaccination coverage among 19–35-month-olds, including DTaP, MMR, polio, hib, hepatitis B, varicella, PCV, rotavirus, and hepatitis A, and vaccine series. The annual kindergarten school immunization survey assesses vaccination rates at school entry and includes vaccine exemption and compliance rates for Colorado kindergartners.
Additionally, new college and university students living in student housing must provide documentation of a meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last five years or sign a waiver. However, this requirement does not apply to non-traditional adult students, online-only students, or colleges without residence halls.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Colorado tracks vaccination rates for schools, colleges, and universities.
Public, private, and parochial schools with grades K-12, as well as child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs licensed to provide care for 10 or more children, are required to report immunization data.
Yes, school-age child care centers, family child care homes, drop-in centers, day treatment centers, foster care homes, day camps, and resident camps are not required to report. However, they must collect immunization or exemption forms for their students.
Immunization data reporting is required for some colleges and universities. New college and university students living in student housing must have documentation of specific vaccines.
I cannot find specific information on the consequences for non-compliance with the reporting requirements. However, Colorado law requires all students attending schools and licensed childcare to be vaccinated against specific diseases unless an exemption is filed.
