2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 25 - Public Health and Environment
Disease Control
Article 4 - Disease Control
Part 9 - School Entry Immunization
§ 25-4-902. Immunization prior to attending school - standardized immunization information

(1) Except as provided in section 25-4-903, a student shall not attend any school in the state of Colorado on or after the dates specified in section 25-4-906 (4) unless he or she has presented the following to the appropriate school official:

(a) An up-to-date certificate of immunization from a licensed physician, a licensed advanced practice nurse, or authorized representative of the department of public health and environment or county, district, or municipal public health agency stating that the student has received immunization against communicable diseases as specified by the state board of health, based on recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices of the United States department of health and human services or the American academy of pediatrics; or

(b) A written authorization signed by one parent or guardian or an authorization signed by the emancipated student requesting that local health officials administer the immunizations.

(2) If the student's certificate of immunization is not up-to-date according to the requirements of the state board of health, the parent or guardian or the emancipated student or the student eighteen years of age or older shall submit to the school, within fourteen days after receiving direct personal notification that the certificate is not up-to-date, documentation that the next required immunization has been given and a written plan for completion of all required immunizations. The scheduling of immunizations in the written plan shall follow medically recommended minimum intervals approved by the state board of health. If the student begins but does not continue or complete the written plan, he or she shall be suspended or expelled pursuant to this part 9.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, a school shall enroll a student who is in out-of-home placement within five school days after receiving the student's education information and records as required in section 22-32-138, C.R.S., regardless of whether the school has received the items specified in subsection (1) of this section. Upon enrolling the student, the school shall notify the student's legal guardian that, unless the school receives the student's certificate of immunization or a written authorization for administration of immunizations within fourteen days after the student enrolls, the school shall suspend the student until such time as the school receives the certificate of immunization or the authorization.

(4) On or before March 1, 2011, the department of public health and environment shall develop and provide to the department of education a standardized document regarding childhood immunizations. The department of education shall post the standardized immunization document on its website on or before January 15, 2011, and each year thereafter. The standardized document shall be updated annually and shall include, but need not be limited to:

(a) A list of the immunizations required for enrollment in a school and the age at which the immunization is required; and

(b) A list of immunizations currently recommended for children by the center for disease control advisory committee on immunization practices and the recommended age at which each immunization should be given.

(5) The document created pursuant to subsection (4) of this section shall comply with the provisions of section 25-4-903 (4) regarding allowable exemptions from required immunizations.