Last updated September 21, 2021.
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Over the past year, we have learned how important it is to layer strategies to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. Using multiple prevention strategies is especially important in stopping more contagious variants of the virus – like delta that is now circulating in Colorado.
To make sure Coloradans have the tools they need to keep their families safe, CDPHE is providing free over-the-counter tests for parents, guardians, and caregivers to administer to school-aged children at-home.
The at-home testing program complements other tools in CDPHE’s COVID-19 toolbox, including in-school screening testing, free community testing sites, and other point-of-care testing programs.
These programs help ensure all Coloradans have access to multiple free COVID-19 testing options.
Through ongoing testing, Coloradans can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and actively protect our children and communities.
About the program
Colorado is distributing free rapid COVID-19 over the counter (OTC) self tests directly to people’s homes. The program uses Abbott BinaxNOW ™ rapid antigen tests that show results within 15 minutes.
This program has been specifically designed to provide parents, guardians, and caregivers some peace of mind by making it easy to test their children and help keep schools open.
Can I get free tests if I am not a parent, guardian, or caregiver?
And it is. If you are not a parent, guardian, or caregiver, you may also use this program.
All Coloradans can sign up for the Rapid At-Home COVID-19 testing program.
Enroll in Rapid At-Home now Order tests for organizations
How it works
Step 1
Apply to order tests using the Individual Enrollment Form .
Step 2
You will receive a confirmation email from CDPHE which includes a link to order a test kit, free of charge, directly to your home.
Step 3
When you are ready to test, follow the instructions included in the test kit.
Step 4
Once you have your test results, please follow these instructions on how to interpret and report your results.
Each order includes eight tests, which recipients can use to test themselves or their children twice a week for four weeks. If you are interested in receiving multiple kits, you will need to reorder tests each month. Tests do not automatically ship on a monthly basis.
If you have symptoms, you should get tested immediately and isolate . You may visit Testing for COVID-19 for a list of more than 100 free state-sponsored COVID-19 testing sites across the state.
If you are a school district or school interested in learning more about free testing in schools, visit our Free COVID-19 School Screening Testing Program For Colorado Schools page.
Please note, over the counter test results may not be accepted as proof of negative results for some situations (travel, return to learn, employer mandated testing etc).
Please review the specific guidance from the entity requiring testing in advance.
This at-home testing program cannot be used for Colorado state employee testing requirements without a special accommodation. If you are a state employee looking for more information on testing, please contact your human resource representative or visit https://dhr.colorado.gov/covid-19-vaccination-reporting .
Coloradans with questions can email CDPHE at [email protected]