Free COVID-19 Testing Site Opens At Pepsi Center

The Pepsi Center in Denver is now home to the largest COVID-19 community testing site in Colorado.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Governor Jared Polis were there to officially announce the opening of the site, which will be open to the public starting Friday, May 22.

"COVID-19 is still with us and is likely to be with us for a long time," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said. "The more we're able to test people, the more we're able to isolate those with infections and build confidence in our homes and workplaces to contain outbreaks. Opening up the economy safely means testing."

Mayor Hancock said the facility at Pepsi Center will be able to perform at least 500 nasal swab tests per day and is available to residents through the Metro area.

"It's quick, easy and free," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said. "You'll be in and out in 15, 20 minutes. If you have symptoms--a cough, a fever--we want you to be tested."

Unlike previous COVID-19 tests, this is a self-administered swab test.

Denver Executive Director of PUblic Safety Murphy Robinson said $3.5 million dollars of the city's CARES Act money is being used on the testing facility at Pepsi Center.

Mayor Hancock said it is part of a $5 million commitment to bolster testing.

The Pepsi Center testing facility is the largest of 34 community health testing centers throughout Colorado.

It will be open seven days a week.

People who wish to be tested at Pepsi Center will need to register for a test at DenverGov.org or by calling 3-1-1.

More information is in the full remarks below.