A COVID-19 testing site in Fort Collins was among those ceased by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for neglecting to be properly certified by the federal government.

On Saturday (Jan. 15), the Colorado Attorney General’s Office released an announcement stating that Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, had ordered the Center for COVID Control to stop all testing operations in the state for failing to be properly certified to perform COVID-19 testing.

The Center for COVID Control reportedly also failed to report testing results and cases to the CDPHE as required by state law. 

In addition, the announcement from the Attorney General's office states that all testing locations operated by Macagain Corp. have been ordered to halt operations for failing to comply with reporting requirements from the state.

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A cease and desist order was issued to multiple COVID-19 testing sites across the state, including a Macagain Corp-operated COVID-19 testing site in Northern Colorado - located at 1700 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins. 

Other COVID-19 testing sites that were issued a cease and desist order over the weekend include the following locations:

  • 6460 E. Yale Ave., Denver
  • 4775 S. Broadway, Englewood
  • 1750 Blake St., Denver
  • 1546 28th St, Boulder 80303
  • 3250 W 72nd St, Westminster 80030
  • 155 Cook St, Denver 80206
  • 620 Miller Ct, Lakewood 80215
  • 6830 S Yosemite Ct, Centennial 80112
  • 3629 Betty Dr. Colorado Springs 80917
  • 2910 Wood Ave, Colorado Springs 80907

“A well-documented investigation by CDPHE concluded that the Center for COVID Control has failed to obtain all necessary licensing required to perform COVID-19 testing in Colorado."Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said as per the Jan. 15 announcement.

"Our consumer protection section also has received a significant number of complaints about safety conditions at their testing sites, including concerns about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. By violating these licensing requirements and ignoring health and safety protocols, the Center for COVID Control is putting Coloradans at risk and we’re taking action to protect public health." 

During the investigation, evidence was uncovered that the company’s testing sites in the state are not lawfully certified under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program.

According to CDPHE, CLIA certification is required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for all non-research, non-forensic laboratory testing performed on humans in the U.S.

As a result, two forms of cease and desist letters were issued - one on behalf of the Colorado Attorney General, the other on behalf of CDPHE.

The first letter states that the company is in violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act for misrepresenting the certification and approval of each of their testing sites in the state.

In the second letter, Weiser says that the company is violating state public health orders that require entities performing COVID-19 testing in the state to report all test results, test result information, and cases of disease to CDPHE through the agency’s electronic laboratory reporting platform or through other CDPHE-approved methods.

It is unlawful to violate, disobey, or disregard public health laws or lawful public health orders or regulations, according to the Colorado Attorney General's office.

“The public needs to be able to have confidence and trust in testing sites.", Scott Bookman, Incident Commander, COVID-19 Response said.

"We’re thankful for the swift help of the Department of Law in halting these testing operations, protecting consumers, and ensuring public health orders are followed. We want Coloradans to know there are over 150 state-run community testing sites available and encourage them to keep getting tested to help slow the spread of COVID-19.”

To find a COVID-19 testing center near you, click here. 

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