Denver Opens Large-Scale COVID-19 Testing Site at Pepsi Center

The City and County of Denver are launching a new, large-scale, drive-up COVID-19 testing site in a parking lot of the Pepsi Center. The site will provide free testing daily for people with symptoms. Results will be available online within a few days, and positive tests will inform the city’s contact tracing efforts. Denver has set a goal of testing at least 500 individuals per day at this site with increased capacity depending on demand.

“Opening up the economy safely requires more testing, and without a national strategy to help get this done, states and cities have stepped into the breach to increase our country’s testing capacity,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “With more testing, we can stay on the right side of this epi-curve, get ahead of any future outbreaks, and stop them before they have a chance to spread.”

The site began administering tests Friday, May 22, and will continue to operate daily, excluding holidays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals will be responsible for administering the nasal swab themselves to expedite the process and increase safety. If individuals are unable to administer the swab themselves due to a disability, staff will assist.

To receive a test, residents should register before coming to the site and bring a document that verifies their name such as a photo ID (current or expired), RTD pass, EBT card, school ID, phone or utility bill, or library card. Minors may be registered by their parents. Name verification is necessary to identify individuals who have been tested multiple times.

Results will be provided online within 72 hours, and those who test positive will receive follow-up from the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment for contact tracing purposes. Community members without internet access can call 311 for help registering.

Testing will be set up in the parking lot on the west side of the Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle. Cars will be directed to enter on 7th Street at the intersection with Auraria Parkway. Because testing is primarily for individuals with symptoms, walking or biking up to the site is discouraged.