What we do
We test for microorganisms and diseases that have an impact on public health such as:
Diseases that are too rare or unusual to be identified by other laboratories.
Agents that may be used in a bioterrorism event.
Characterizing microorganisms beyond what is normally required for patient management.
Epidemiologists, infectious disease specialists, and other public health decision makers review lab results. The State Lab serves as the State Reference Laboratory for antimicrobial awareness testing of communicable diseases. The lab also sends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isolates from infections with vaccine-preventable organisms. Additionally, the lab maintains a close relationship with CDC by participating in CDC-headed projects and sending specimens to them for confirmation testing when necessary.
Testing information
Submitting specimens to the lab
Public health testing supply order form
The public health testing supply order form is available for use by local public health agencies, epidemiologists, and health care professionals only (used for all public health testing and for all patient testing).
Contact information
Clinical microbiology laboratory
cdphe_clinicalmicro@state.co.us
Laboratory: 303-692-3480
Fax: 303-691-4911