Statewide Protocols (SWPs)

In Colorado, Senate Bill 16-135 and House Bill 18-1313 together allow for the provision of health care services by pharmacists to increase public health care access. CPS was instrumental in passing the authorizing laws to allow SWPs and has worked to implement them as well. SWPs are formed and approved collaboratively among the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Boards of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The approved SWPs in Colorado are:

Any entity can propose a new statewide protocol for public health care services via a SWP by contacting the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy.

The most current protocols can be found on the State Board of Pharmacy website here


HIV PrEP and PEP (effective November 2020)

COMPREHENSIVE PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP) AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) EDUCATION FOR PHARMACISTS

The University of Colorado has launched the “COMPREHENSIVE PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP) AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) EDUCATION FOR PHARMACISTS” training program, an ACPE accredited educational training program.

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado Pharmacists. 

Access Training

Expanding HIV Prevention in Colorado and Nationwide: A PEP/PrEP Training Guide for Pharmacists

Additional Resources



Hormonal Contraception (effective March 2017)

Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Colorado Pharmacist

The University of Colorado offers the Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the Colorado Pharmacist, an ACPE-accredited training program focused on expanding pharmacists' knowledge and skills in contraception care.

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado pharmacists.

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Tools

Disclaimer: These tools have been developed with the sole intention of providing assistance in adhering to established statewide protocols. These tools should be used only as supplementary aids and not as replacements for consulting and adhering to all published guidelines, Board Rules, and Laws as applicable.

Additional Resources



 Smoking Cessation (effective March 2017)

Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Education for the Colorado Pharmacist

The University of Colorado offers the Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Education for the Colorado Pharmacist, an ACPE-accredited training program designed to equip pharmacists with the skills and knowledge to support smoking cessation efforts

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado pharmacists.

Access Training 

Tools

Disclaimer: These tools have been developed with the sole intention of providing assistance in adhering to established statewide protocols. These tools should be used only as supplementary aids and not as replacements for consulting and adhering to all published guidelines, Board Rules, and Laws as applicable.

Additional Resources



Statin Therapy (effective September 2022)

UPDATE: CPS has successfully advocated for an update to the Colorado Statewide Protocol (SWP) for Statin Use (Rule 17 Appendix E).  With the help of our expert member, Joe Saseen, CPS submitted changes to the Statin Statewide protocol to include patients with Type 1 Diabetes, and also include authority to prescribe statins for appropriate intermediate-risk patients.  These changes were accepted by the Board of Pharmacy at the 10/3/24 Rulemaking Hearing.  This will allow pharmacists to fill in even more gaps in care by using the Statin SWP. These changes will go into effect on 11/30/24 and will be reflected in the new Board Rules once they are updated.  In the mean time you can view them at:  2024-7-25_Pharmacy_3 CCR 719-1_Redline.docx - Google Docs 

COMPREHENSIVE STATIN THERAPY EDUCATION FOR THE COLORADO PHARMACIST

The Colorado Pharmacists Society has launched the “Statin Therapy Statewide Protocol” training program, an ACPE accredited educational training program.

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado Pharmacists.

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education (CPE).  This event has been accredited for up to 1.5 contact hours of pharmacist application-based CPE.    

#0000-23-076-H01-P 

Initial Release Date: 07/11/2023 

Planned Expiration Date: 07/11/2026. 

Members: $75

Non-Members: $100

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TOOLS

Disclaimer: These tools have been developed with the sole intention of providing assistance in adhering to established statewide protocols. These tools should be used only as supplementary aids and not as replacements for consulting and adhering to all published guidelines, Board Rules, and Laws as applicable.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 


 Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) 

 

MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER (MOUD) EDUCATION FOR PHARMACISTS

Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: Optimizing Interprofessional Care 

Meets DEA MATE Act 8-Hour Training Requirements

Joint-Accreditation Provided by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) for Pharmacists, Physicians, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Nurses. 

Cost: $250

Click here for more information and to access the training

CPS endorses this on-demand program and recommends it for all Colorado pharmacists.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

DEA Registration Issue for Pharmacists – CPS Actively Engaged

The Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS) is aware of ongoing challenges pharmacists are experiencing when applying for DEA registration due to outdated federal systems that do not reflect current Colorado law. This is a known national issue. CPS is actively working alongside other state and national pharmacy organizations to urge the DEA to update its systems and recognize pharmacists’ authority under state law.

For more information, see the Letter submitted to the DEA in March 2025 by CPS and partnering organizations.

We will continue to share updates as they become available. In the meantime, pharmacists may continue to issue prescriptions under a collaborating provider or entity when necessary.

 


Other Statewide Protocol Resources 

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