House Committee Approves Bill to Boost Colorado’s Emergency Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment

DENVER, CO –  The House State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee passed a bill, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullica, that would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials, including personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Colorado is preparing now so we’re not caught flat-footed during the next national emergency or pandemic,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Federal Heights. “This bill boosts Colorado’s stockpile of essential materials and personal protective equipment so our state is prepared to keep Coloradans safe, healthy and protected. With this legislation, we’re taking steps to ensure our healthcare professionals haves the masks, gloves and other medical grade PPE they need when they’re caring for Coloradans.”

HB22-1352 passed committee by a vote of 8-3. This bill would require the State of Colorado to maintain a stockpile of essential materials and PPE to be available for distribution after the governor has declared a disaster emergency.

Facial masks, medical gloves, eye protection and other PPE worn by health care professionals are necessary for treating patients and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. This bill will invest nearly $2 million to stockpile medical-grade PPE in Colorado so hospitals, vaccine clinics and other medical sites can have access to the protective equipment to keep them safe. Schools, community centers and other organizations can also receive stockpiled PPE which will be distributed via state agencies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was charged with maintaining the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE and associated warehouses. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has since maintained a 60-day stockpile of five key PPE product categories to dispatch to state agencies as needed. This bill ensures Colorado has adequate PPE supplies for the next pandemic or declared national disaster.