Where to Get Tested for Covid19 in El Paso County

Curious where you to get tested for COVID19 in El Paso County, Colorado? We have compiled a list for you along with sources for the most current data and statistics on the Coronavirus. We have also provided information on the different types of testing available.

https://carbonhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-19-testing-centers/Colorado/Colorado-Springs

To see a map to find the center closest to you, use the site above. It also lists the type of testing available at each location. For a list of details on these locations, read below!

Site Locations

Community Based Drive-thru Testing Site

Located at the Citadel Mall in the parking lot just south of JCPenney
750 Citadel Dr. E, Colorado Springs

Testing is encouraged for people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, first responders, health care workers, critical infrastructure employees and individuals who work in congregate settings.

• Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Who can get tested here?
• First responders, health care workers, critical infrastructure employees and individuals who work in congregate settings
AND
• Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (2 years of age or older)

How much does it cost?
• Testing is free
• No insurance or referral is required

There is a Spanish speaker on site.

Pre-registration is recommended, but not required.

Please click here to register: COVID-19 Community Testing Site Registration
Upon completing the form you will receive an email with your registration number beginning with MX. Show this number to the site attendant in order to proceed with your test.

UCHealth Testing Tent at Parkside

2050 Kidskare Point
Drive-thru only
COVID-19 and antibody testing site

Who can get tested here?
• All individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 3-5 days can be tested at this site.
• UCHealth asks that patients wear a mask to this site.

Click here for hours of operation and to schedule an appointment for testing. Additional details on who can be tested, getting your test results and a list of all UCHealth testing sites and hours can be accessed via the same link.

UCHealth Testing

Where is it located?
• 175 S Union Blvd
• This site is a drive-thru only testing site.
• For more information or questions, please call 719-632-5700.

When is it open?
• Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Who can get tested here?
• Those experiencing symptoms or those with a doctor’s order
• Bring and ID and insurance card

Peak Vista Drive Thru Testing Site

Where is it located?
• 3205 North Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
• This site is a drive-thru only testing site.
• For more information or questions, please call 719-632-5700.

When is it open?
• Monday – Friday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Who can get tested here?
• No appointment or doctor’s referral is required, and you do not need to be a patient of Peak Vista to use this site.
• Testing will be done for anyone over 12 years old with any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste, new loss of smell.

How do I get my results?
• A Peak Vista healthcare provider will call you with your results once they are ready.

How much does it cost?
• All patients are screened for a sliding fee scale discount at this site.
• The cost to administer the COVID-19 test is $69.

Childen’s Hospital Testing Site

Where is it located?
• 4125 Briargate Parkway (parking lot of specialty care and outpatient)
• This site is a drive-thru only testing site.
• For more information or questions, please call 719-632-5700.

When is it open?
• 7 days a week 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Who can get tested here?
• Must have an appt and a doctor’s referral

Centura Health Testing Center

Where is it located?
• 1723 Jackson Creek Parkway #120, Monument
• This site is a drive-thru only testing site.
• For more information or questions, please call 719-632-5700.

When is it open?
• Monday through Friday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Who can get tested here?
• The site is testing employees of fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and EMS providers. Individuals interested in testing must bring an employer-provided form and work ID with them. No appointment is necessary. 

Data and Statistics

For more information on testing, please visit the El Paso County Health Website

For general information on data and statistics in El Paso County, please visit the Covid19 Dashboard through El Paso County Health

To see worldwide statistics, visit WorldOMeter

Types of tests

Molecular-based testing:

• A molecular amplification test detects genetic material from a specific virus in patient samples. Most molecular tests for COVID-19 are called PCR tests; however, there are a few other molecular tests that are not called PCR. 
• PCR is currently the best way to test for current infection with COVID-19.  
• While this test detects current or recent infection from COVID-19, it is not useful in determining past exposure in fully recovered patients.

Antigenic Testing

• An antigenic test can quickly detect fragments of proteins found on or within the virus that causes COVID-19.
• The test is similar to a rapid flu test and is performed at the point-of-care by collecting a sample from the nasal cavity using a swab. Results can be obtained in a couple of hours. 
• While antigen tests can be less expensive and offer fast results, they are not as sensitive as PCR tests.–this means a PCR test might be needed to confirm a negative antigen test. A positive test, however, can be treated as a positive result.  
• The FDA recently authorized the first COVID-19 antigen test for use in properly certified laboratories, as well as for point-of-care testing in hospitals and urgent care clinics.

Serological testing:

• A serological test is a blood test that looks for antibodies in your blood. It can detect the body’s immune response to the infection caused by the virus, rather than detecting the virus itself. 
• While these tests can detect previous exposure to COVID-19, they cannot reliably determine if a patient is currently infected and able to spread the virus to others. We think it might take up to two weeks to develop antibodies to the virus. 
• Because much is still unknown about how long immunity may last following COVID-19 infection, these tests may give a false sense of safety to patients. We do not yet know whether having antibodies to COVID-19 means that you can’t get sick again. 
• Some antibody tests may cross react with other respiratory viruses resulting in false positive results–this means the test is detecting antibodies to a different virus, such as one of the common coronaviruses that many people have been exposed to in the past. . 

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are distributing rapid serological test kits to detect antibodies in COVID-19 patients. CDPHE discourages the use of any serological test that has not been approved by the FDA or at the state level, for any purpose other than research or surveillance. CDPHE will update this guidance accordingly as more information becomes available. More information about serological testing can be found in CDC’s  Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing.

*Information may change, be sure to call to confirm information.

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