A bill introduced into the Colorado state legislature on the first day of the 2020 legislative session would increase access to HIV treatment for Coloradans if passed.

The HIV Infection Prevention Medications Bill was introduced by Rep. Leslie Herod from House District 5 and Rep. Alex Valdez from House District 8. The legislation would allow pharmacists to prescribe the HIV prevention medications PEP and PrEP without a prescription from a physician and would prevent insurance providers from requiring patients to receive authorization before using health insurance to pay for the medication.

The legislation is one of many healthcare-focused bills that the legislature expects to see this session. Gov. Polis has named the creation of a public health insurance option as one of his main goals for this year.

ONE Colorado, the state’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization, endorsed the bill. HIV can affect anyone, but LGBTQ people are at a higher risk of exposure.

“While we have seen significant medical advances in HIV prevention in recent years, accessing these life-saving, preventative treatments remains a challenge to many Coloradans,” ONE Colorado executive director Daniel Ramos said in a statement.

In Colorado, over 14,000 people are living with HIV, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That includes 339 people in Larimer County, according to the CDPHE’s 2018 report, approximately 0.1% of the county’s total population. There were 43 new HIV diagnoses in Larimer County in 2018.

Free or reduced cost HIV testing is available in Loveland at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment office at 200 Peridot Ave.Walk-in hours are 12:30-3:30 on Mondays and 8:30 to 11:30 on Fridays, or patients can call 970-619-4580 to make an appointment. Testing is confidential and health insurance is not necessary.

Northern Colorado residents can also receive free HIV testing in Fort Collins through the Northern Colorado AIDS Project if they meet certain criteria. Call 970-484-4469 or visit coloradohealthnetwork.org for more information.