Syphilis Screening Mandates

New syphilis screening mandates for pregnant people in Colorado

Amid rising congenital syphilis cases, Adams County Health Department (ACHD) is reaffirming its commitment to infectious disease prevention and supporting policy solutions to improve health in our community.

Colorado has continued to experience a sharp rise in syphilis rates.

• Between 2017 and 2023, the state saw a nearly four-fold increase in rates of Syphilis infections.
• Congenital syphilis cases have skyrocketed 900% since 2017. Already in 2024, the state has experienced five stillbirths and two fetal deaths.

In Adams County specifically, rates of syphilis have more than doubled since 2019. There have been 3 to 4 babies born with congenital syphilis per year since 2020 in the county.

In response to Colorado’s increased rates, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) now mandates medical providers to take all necessary steps to offer and provide syphilis testing for all pregnant people during three points during pregnancy and for testing to occur regularly in certain settings.

Syphilis screening will be provided for all consenting pregnant people in each of the following cases:

• During the first trimester of pregnancy, between 1-12 weeks gestational age, or at the patient’s initial prenatal visit
• During the third trimester of pregnancy, between 28-32 weeks gestational age
• At the time of delivery for all pregnant people
• When a pregnant person presents to an urgent care center or emergency room
• When fetal death happens inside the uterus
• All pregnant people at correctional facilities, including prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers, at the internals and events described above

If you are pregnant, ask your provider at your next medical appointment if you should be tested for syphilis.

The results of all syphilis testing, whether positive or negative, will be reported to CDPHE.

ACHD provides sexual health services, including syphilis screenings, by appointment, at its two Sexual Health Clinics:

• 1401 W. 122nd Ave, Westminster, CO 80234
• 7000 Broadway, Denver, CO 80221

Walk-up services are also available through ACHD’s Harm Reduction Team.

In addition to providing syphilis screenings, Adams County Health Department also provides treatment and accepts referrals for treatment from other providers. Currently, there is a shortage of Bicillin, the medication used to treat syphilis, but ACHD has it on hand and is set to receive another shipment.

More information on screenings and other services ACHD provides, as well as how to make an appointment, can be found on the Sexual Health page.

You can also call ACHD’s Sexual Health Services at 303.363.3018.

CDPHE also provides resources including additional testing locations.