Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced his new chief of staff, David Oppenheim, replacing Alec Garnett, who has been in that role since January 1, 2023. Garnett has accepted the position of vice president for government and regulatory affairs for the University of Colorado Health.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

NACDS is continuing to work with a coalition urging Gov. Jared Polis (D) to expedite implementation of SB24-168, a new law that expands diabetes care access for Medicaid enrollees.

Also in Colorado, Gov. Jarod Polis (D) convened a special session on August 26 to address property tax reform.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

On August 19, the Board of Pharmacy is holding a Stakeholder Meeting to receive feedback on proposed changes to the following draft rules:

1. Rule 14.00.00 – OTHER OUTLETS – The purpose of the proposed amendments to

Board Rule 14 is to allow off-site dispensing by hospital staff.

2. Rule 15.00.00 – WHOLESALERS – The purpose of the proposed amendments to

Board Rule 15 is to update recordkeeping requirements of wholesalers

specifically related to animal drugs.

3. Rule 17.00.00 – COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE – The purpose of the

proposed amendments to Board Rule 17 is to update Collaborative Pharmacy

Practice Rules as they relate physician assistants to align them with

superseding regulatory changes around physician assistants.

4. Rule 21-00-00 – COMPOUNDING – The purpose of the proposed amendments to

Board Rule 21 is to update controlled substance distribution laws to better

clarify the law and align with federal requirements.

5. Rule 17, Appendix A – The purpose of the proposed amendments to Board Rule

17, Appendix A is to update clinical standards and to fix minor clerical errors.

6. Rule 3.00.00 – DISPENSING – The purpose of the proposed amendments to Board

Rule 3 is to add a short rule clarifying and referring to the new legislative

requirement of prescription label accessibility from HB24-1115.

7. Rule 23.00.00 – ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM – The

purpose of this Rule Revision is to change the requirement to report pharmacy

data submission delinquency to the Board and give flexibility may changing

“will” to “may” which statute allows.

8. Rule 11.00.00 – RECORDS – The purpose of this Rule revision is to update

outdated terminology that no longer exists related to board approval of

electronic record storage.

9. Rules 2.00.00 – ORDERS, 3.00.00 -DISPENSING, and 31.00.00 – TELEPHARMACY –

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Board Rule 2, 3, and 31 is to

implement SB24-209 Changes to the Pharmacy Practice Act Regarding

Dispensing of Prescription Drugs, including repeal of Area of Need from

Telepharmacies, updated labeling requirements, and updated functional ability

for technicians.

Also on the Stakeholder Meeting agenda are two new proposed rules:

1. Rule 17.00.00, Appendix F – MAT Prescription Protocol – The purpose of the

proposed Rule 17, Appendix F is to create a new MAT Prescribing Statewide

Protocol required as part of implementation of HB24-1045.

2. Rule 17.00.00, Appendix E – The purpose of the proposed amendments to Board

Rule 17, Appendix E, is to create a new state-wide protocol of clinical

standards for statin therapy.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is hosting a webinar on August 27 to review HCPF major initiatives for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024, priority initiatives for FY 2024-2025 and public health emergency (PHE) unwind insights and opportunities going forward. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Register now for the August 27 Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) Stakeholder Webinar on Medicaid priority initiatives for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and Public Health Emergency Unwind insights and opportunities going forward.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a late bill filed by the Colorado Chain Pharmacy Council, SB24-209, expanding the pharmacy practice. The key provisions are eliminating restrictions on telepharmacies, removing the age limit for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority, allowing dispensing through an automated dispensing system, expanding pharmacy technicians’ duties to allow point-of-care testing and administering all immunizations and the ability to request refills and perform other designated tasks.

Also in Colorado, the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) workplace conditions survey is available here.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

HB24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. 

Also in Colorado, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) submitted an 1115 Waiver Amendment requesting to the CMS an amendment to Colorado’s Expanding the Substance Use Disorder Continuum of Care Section 1115 demonstration waiver (1115 SUD (substance use disorder) waiver). For additional information and the entire amendment, contact hcpf_1115waiver@state.co.us. 

Finally in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed HB24-1322, legislation providing Medicaid coverage for housing and nutrition services. HCPF (Department of Health Care Policy and Financing) now has the authority to pursue a Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) 1115 demonstration waiver amendment to expand health-related social needs (HRSN) housing and nutrition services and support for certain eligible Health First Colorado (Medicaid program) members. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

CO24-209, practice act expansion, passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

The General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 8.  

Also in Colorado, SB24-168, legislation that requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to provide coverage of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to Medicaid patients, passed both houses and will be sent to Gov. Jared Polis (D) to sign into law. 

Finally in Colorado, HCPF’s Substance Use Disorder Stakeholder newsletter has been posted online. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.