Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera Hosts Statewide Conversation on Long COVID at CU Anschutz

DENVER - Today, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera hosted a statewide convening on Long COVID in collaboration with the University of Colorado Anschutz, bringing together people with lived experience, clinicians, researchers, state agencies, and community organizations to advance a shared understanding of Long COVID and other Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions (IACCs) in Colorado.

"Colorado continues to lead in addressing the challenges of Long COVID," said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. "Long COVID affects people across every demographic and background. It impacts physical health, mental health, and socio-economic wellbeing. It also places pressure on our health care system, public health system, and social support systems, which is why it requires coordinated understanding and joint action across all sectors."

Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicates that 10.8% or approximately 400,000 adults have experienced symptoms for three months or longer after an acute COVID infection, suggesting that approximately one in ten Colorado adults has experienced Long COVID. Many Americans are still dealing with the life-long implications of COVID.

The convening reflects the Polis-Primavera administration's whole-of-state approach to healthcare, working across clinical, public health, social services, disability, education, and workforce systems to identify practical next steps.

The day featured four panel discussions and a series of research presentations, attracting lead clinicians, epidemiologists, and disability policy experts from communities across Colorado and the nation to address the ongoing impact of Long COVID.

Dr. Sarah Jolley, Director of the ICU Recovery and Long COVID Clinic at the CU Anschutz campus, spoke on the closing panel about Colorado's future vision and proposed actions for Long COVID care.

"We continue to make important progress in understanding Long COVID but many people are still struggling and there is still much more work to do. With multiple clinical trials underway at CU Anschutz, we are moving from understanding this illness toward identifying treatments that can make a meaningful difference for Long COVID patients. Advancing research and care is essential to ensuring that people across Colorado have access to better answers, treatments and support," said Dr. Sarah Jolley.

The event builds on the administration's ongoing work with Long COVID. Earlier this year, the office released the fourth annual report on Long COVID in Colorado, synthesizing state-specific data, highlighting recent work, outlining next steps, providing recommendations, and sharing first-hand accounts from Coloradans living with Long COVID.

For more information about the Office of the Lt. Governor's initiative, visit ltgovernor.colorado.gov. Find more information about Long COVID on CDPHE's website.

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