Governor Polis Offers Free Weekly COVID Testing with Cash Incentives and N95 Masks for Schools

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced this week that the state plans to provide free COVID-19 testing during each week of the 2021-2022 school year at all K-12 schools. Schools can find out more information and opt-in to the free program by visiting this link.

While voluntary testing was provided beginning in January, the plan is now to make sure that testing is always available at all schools each week. The Governor added that he encourages everyone eligible to receive a vaccine to do so as soon as possible.

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Governor Polis Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Colorado Schools

Until the COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone under the age of 12, the Governor said on Thursday that his updates to the plan are essential to help slow down and stop the spread of the virus throughout our schools. He has updated the free N-92 mask program along with the update to the COVID-19 school testing plan. You can listen to the Governor's complete press conference below from Thursday. The video below runs for about 34 minutes.

Free Masks Will Be Made Available to Schools Who Want Them

Students and teachers in Colorado schools will continue to be provided with adult and child-sized N-95 masks as long as their school has opted into the program. The Colorado Department of Education will handle reaching out to each school for their opportunity to join the free mask program this fall.

Governor Polis Offers Cash Incentives for Weekly Covid Testing

Polis is giving students a chance to earn a cash incentive if they opt-in for weekly COVID-19 testing. If a student opts-in to the weekly testing program they will receive between $5 and $25 per week. This program would require those students to return each week for testing to earn the cash incentive.