State of Colorado Reactivates Staffing Shortage Fusion Center

The Colorado Unified Coordination Center (UCC) announced the reactivation of the Staffing Shortage Fusion Center (SSFC). Organizations that can ask for assistance include residential care facilities, hospitals, correctional facilities and other licensed care settings.

The fusion center only accepts staffing requests for assistance directly related to COVID-19 in which staff shortages are impacting patient care. Requests are submitted via a designated intake form and limited to short term assistance to bridge a gap, but are not intended to be a long term staffing solution. 

The fusion center was originally activated from November 2020 to March 2021 to support staffing shortages.  During that time it filled 4,850 shifts with 160 supplemental staff in 58 facilities statewide. Between April 1 and September 30, CDPHE has continued to provide staffing resources for residential care facilities, filling 994 shifts in 31 unique facilities.

The fusion center is led by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) through the UCC. The SSFC includes representation from:

  • Colorado Department of Public Safety

  • Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 

  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

  • Colorado Residential Care Strike Team

  • Colorado Hospital Association

  • Colorado Department of Corrections

  • Colorado National Guard 

  • Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing 

  • Colorado Department of Human Services

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.