VA ECHCS News and Stories
Wildfire Resources for Southern Colorado
The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to more than 89,000 acres and remains an active incident affecting communities in southern Colorado, including Colorado City, Beulah, Florence, Rockvale, Rye and San Isabel.
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System leadership and emergency management teams are actively monitoring the situation and compiling VA, community and emergency resources for those who may be impacted. For the full list, visit our ECHCS Facebook page.
Emergency Information
Emergency Planning Resources
Evacuation & Shelter Locations
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Pueblo County Recreation Center – 1650 Cooper Place, Pueblo. American Red Cross providing shelter, food, water, health services, and pet accommodations
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Lange Hall – 312 3rd St., Westcliffe
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Pathfinder Park – 6655 CO-115, Florence
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Colorado State Fairgrounds – 2109 Small Ave, Pueblo (Gates 6 & 7) for large animals/livestock
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St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center – 1650 Cooper Pl., Pueblo
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Dunn CBOC Closed Morning of July 15, Lindstrom CBOC Morning of Aug. 19
Over the next two months, our Emergency Management team will work with our Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to conduct trainings at our PFC James Dunn CBOC (Pueblo) and PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom CBOC (Colorado Springs). These important trainings will enhance our preparedness and strengthen the safety and security of Veterans, visitors, and staff.
The training will include emergency response procedures, live drills and scenarios, workplace violence prevention training, and mental health debriefs for participating staff. Because of the intensive, hands-on nature of this training, patients cannot be on campus while it is underway.
The following clinics will be temporarily closed for walk-in and regular services during their training windows:
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PFC James Dunn CBOC (Pueblo)
- Training Date: Wednesday, July 15
- Service Resume: 1 p.m. same day
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PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom CBOC (Colorado Springs)
- Training Date: Wednesday, August 19
- Service Resume: 1 p.m. same day
These training sessions have been scheduled to align with already existing clinical training blocks to minimize disruption.
During this time, VA Health Connect remains available to support your care needs, including scheduling assistance, nursing triage, pharmacy services, and acute virtual visits. Health Administration staff, pharmacy technicians, and registered nurses are ready to assist and can connect you with medical providers for virtual care if needed.
To access VA Health Connect, please, call our main line at 303-399-8020 and follow the prompts based on your needs.
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Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Laboratories Transitioned to Walk-In Only
Over the past 6–8 weeks, all VA ECHCS Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) moved to walk-in only laboratories.
- Alamosa VA Clinic
- Mon.–Thur.: 8:45 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Fri.: 8:45–10 a.m.
- Burlington VA Clinic
- La Junta VA Clinic
- Lamar VA Clinic
- PFC James Dunn VA Clinic
- Mon.–Thur.: 7:45 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Fri.: 7:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
- Mon.–Fri.: 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sat.: 8:30–1 p.m.
- Castle Rock VA Clinic
- Mon., Tue., and Thur.: 7:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
- Golden VA Clinic (Transitioning June 15)
- Mon.–Fri.: 7:45 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA Clinic
- Mon.–Fri.: 7:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
- PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic
- Mon.–Fri.: 7 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
- Space Center VA Clinic
- Mon.–Fri.: 7:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Union Boulevard VA Clinic
- Mon.–Fri.: 7:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m
What this means for you:
- No appointment will be needed for lab work once your clinic transitions.
- Existing lab appointments will not be canceled.
- Future "Return to Clinic" lab orders will no longer be used. Instead, your care provider will notify you when lab work is initially ordered, and you are responsible for completing your labs ahead of your next appointment. Please note that automatic appointment reminders for laboratory visits will no longer be generated. If you are unsure of the timeframe when your lab orders are active, or if you have any questions about your lab work, please contact your care team.
- For walk-in appointments, travel reimbursement is authorized for one-way travel only. To maximize your benefits, we recommend conducting your lab visit on the same day as an existing scheduled appointment whenever possible. For more information on filing a travel claim, please visit: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/programs/beneficiary-travel-self-service-system-btsss/
- If submitting a urine sample, please alert the front desk upon your arrival.
When arriving for labs, please allow yourself for additional time, as you may experience longer wait times depending on patient volume at the time of your arrival. Appointments will be first-come-first serve.
These changes will provide more access to lab services for all Veterans, ensuring you don't have to worry about scheduling a lab appointment.
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Whole Health Summer Schedule Updates
Looking for ways to practice self-care this summer? Come experience a Whole Health Well-being class or group. Offerings will be held at the Golden VA clinic, the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Clinic, the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, and virtually.
Offerings will include different types of meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga, Expressive Arts, Acupressure, and Whole Health Skill Building.
For more information about Whole Health Well-being offerings please visit www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/programs/whole-health or contact Tiffani Guinn by calling 720-376-5587 or sending a secure message in MyHealtheVet to ECHCS-Whole Health.
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Join Us for Veteran Socials!
A place where Veterans can meet up with fellow Veterans and their support chain. All military affiliated and friends are welcome, no RSVP required.
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When: 2:30–4:30 p.m., every other Fri. (July 10 and 24)
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Where: Logan House Coffee, 7111 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO
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Questions: Contact George Romero at 720-329-8516
Warrior Women: Sisters in Arms, July Events
Sisterhood is powerful, especially among fellow Women Veterans as sisters in arms. Come join other local Women Veterans to connect and socialize! Any Woman Veteran in Eastern Colorado is welcome to participate in any of the meetups!
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Denver: 10:30–11:30 a.m., first Monday of each month, American Legion Post 1, 5400 Yale Ave.
- Contact: Crystal Tabor, 303-810-7702
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Colorado Springs: 1:30–2:30 p.m., July 22, in the East Community Room, East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.
- Contact: Morla Colby, 719-203-8090
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Pueblo: 10–11 a.m., July 9, in the Rawlings Thurston Room, Rawlings Main Branch Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.
- Contact: Trish Rademacher, 719-517-9380
For more information, please visit our Facebook Events by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/VAECHCS/events
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