Reportable Medical Conditions, Statutes, Regulations and Privacy

The department takes seriously its responsibility to protect the privacy of the citizens of Colorado whose medical information is required for public health improvement. All medical records are held in confidence.

The following department polices have been implemented to safeguard the privacy of our citizens. In addition, each staff member is required to complete training on the following policies and to sign a confidentiality agreement.

• Department security policies
• The department posts a privacy policy on its web site to make clear how and when we use information collected by visitors to our web page.

Diseases/conditions reportable by providers and laboratories

The Department of Public Health and Environment is charged with protecting the public health and environment. A critical component of this responsibility is conducting investigations and collecting information concerning certain epidemic and communicable diseases, cancer, environmental and chronic diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, rabies and mammal bites without patient consent.

These diseases and conditions are often referred to as reportable diseases or conditions. The State Board of Health, through a public hearing process, determines which conditions and diseases are required to be reported to state and local health departments.

The information obtained during an investigation is strictly confidential and may only be released in very limited circumstances. You may learn more about the law governing these investigations, the specific reportable diseases and conditions and the penalties for breaching confidentiality at section 25-1-122, C.R.S. and 6 CCR 1009-1, and 6 CCR 1009-7 through 9.

• Conditions reportable by all laboratories collecting specimens or performing tests in Colorado
• Conditions reportable by all physicians and health care providers in Colorado 
• Information for patients about conditions reportable by physicians and laboratories
• Basic disease report form

Board of Health Regulations

• Rules and regulations pertaining to epidemic and communicable disease control
• Rules Pertaining to Reporting, Prevention and Control of AIDS, HIV Related Illness and HIV Infection - Effective April 14, 2010
• Rules and regulations pertaining to chronic disease 

State statutes and rules