J_JBC_2021A 12/16/2021 12:13:11 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL & JBC

Date

12/16/2021

Time

12:13:11 PM to 01:28:28 PM

Place

Old State Library

This Meeting was called to order by

Garcia

This Report was prepared by

Anne Wallace

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hUpdate on COVID-19 Response, Epidemiology, Testing, Hospital Capacity, & Vaccinations	Committee Discussion Only
hState Emergency Reserves and FEMA Reimbursement	Committee Discussion Only
hGlenwood Canyon and Fire Recovery	Committee Discussion Only

12:13:49 PM

President Garcia gave opening remarks on the joint meeting.

Update on COVID-19 Response, Epidemiology, Testing, Hospital Capacity, & Vaccinations - Committee Discussion Only


	12:17:36 PM	Jill Ryan, Director, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), presented regarding numerous aspects of Colorado's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the presentation is available here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/12-16-2021_leg_update_-_1426_briefing_1.pdf. She discussed COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, and federal funding to expand CDPHE's response.
	12:25:03 PM	Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist, presented regarding COVID-19 case rates, hospitalization rates, and death rates in Colorado and nationally. She discussed the COVID-19 variants and their characteristics. Emily Travanty, Laboratory Director, CDPHE, discussed sequencing of COVID-19 samples and surveillance of COVID-19 variants. She described wastewater sampling to detect the COVID-19 virus.
	12:40:00 PM	Sarah Tuneberg, former Innovation Response Director, CDPHE, described CDPHE's COVID-19 testing efforts in 2020. She discussed a state contract with a testing vendor and evaluation of the vendor's testing. Scott Bookman, COVID-19 Incident Commander, discussed hospital capacity in Colorado and strategies to manage the capacity. Kevin Klein, Department of Public Safety, elaborated on increasing hospital beds and staffing. Mr. Bookman described monoclonal antibody therapy treatment for COVID-19 patients and vaccination efforts.


	01:02:18 PM	Lauren Larson, Director, Office of State Planning and Budget, presented on the Federal Emergency Management Administration reimbursements to Colorado for COVID-19 testing, staffing, and vaccines. She provided an update on COVID-19 spending by the state.


	01:08:30 PM	Mr. Klein provided an update regarding restoration of Glenwood Canyon in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration. He described wildfire recovery efforts across Colorado.
	01:08:35 PM	The presenters responded to committee questions regarding soil stabilization, hospital staffing, and FDA approval of COVID-19 tests.

01:28:28 PM

The committee adjourned.