Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Rev. Terrence Hughes is embraced by his wife Rachel as staff at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora cheer his release on May 6, 2020. The reverend spent sixty days in the hospital fighting COVID-19.On March 5, 2020, Colorado confirmed its first cases of COVID-19.
No aspect of life has been untouched by the ongoing pandemic. Residents have endured a statewide lockdown and restrictions meant to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Businesses have shuttered, employees have seen their hours slashed and jobs cut. Teachers, parents and students have navigated the uncharted waters of mass remote learning. Supply chains dried up, creating shortages in supermarkets and surpluses on farms. Families are separated from their loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals. The ceaseless work continues for health care providers.
And we grieve those whom we have lost. More than 500,000 people have died in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, including nearly 6,000 in Colorado.
In the year since Colorado’s first cases, The Denver Post’s visuals team has documented the pandemic every step of the way, from the small changes in daily routine to the devastation wrought and the resiliency of our community.
Click here to read more about what we’ve learned in the last year, and what work remains.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a press conference to address the state’s first confirmed case of Coronavirus at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Thursday, March 5, 2020. A second case was reported during the press conference, but no information was provided by Polis or the officials flanking him.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
David Storey processes samples for COVID-19 testing at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Laboratory Services Division in Denver on Saturday, March 14, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A parishioner prays with Reverend Dr. Douglas Dunn, left out of picture, during a ‘”drive-by” mass at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church on March 15, 2020 in Aurora.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Mullen High School players celebrate winning a 4A semifinal against Berthoud in the largely empty Denver Coliseum on March 12, 2020. Mullen won 64-57 in overtime. The Mustangs’ Megan Pohs scored 10 of her game-high 30 points during overtime. For the first time in the history of state competition, Colorado did not crown high school basketball champions, a decision made by CHSAA officials as the final teams qualified for a spot in the big game. The unprecedented cancellation, a result of the spread of the coronavirus in the state, left athletes, coaches and communities feeling devastated, even as they understood the necessity of the decision.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
A customer shops at King Soopers on Speer Boulevard and 14th Avenue in Denver Friday, March 13, 2020.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
The toilet paper and paper towel supplies were dwindling at Safeway Supermarket in Lakewood on March 13, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
From left to right Jose Garcia, Mary Garibay, Shelby Gallegos and Lenora Vallejos clean a classroom at Bruce Randolph School on Thursday, March 19, 2020.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Eight-year-old and gymnast Allie Vanderploeg, left, a 2nd grader in Jeffco Public Schools, works with her brother, Kaden, 13, center, in 7th grade, and her sister, Maddie, 11, in 5th grade, at their home during the first day of online learning on March 17, 2020 in Lakewood. Jeffco Public Schools implemented a remote learning and work plan where teachers, students, and staff will educate and learn from home with online programs for an unknown period due to COVID-19.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Justyn Brogan, manager of The Capital Grille, steps outside of the restaurant looking out on a nearly-empty Larimer Square in downtown Denver around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Denver ordered residents to stay home as coronavirus spreads. The order began Tuesday at 5 p.m. and lasts until April 10.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Ken Pelot, right, talks on the phone to his wife Joanie, center, and daughter Debbie as they visit him through his window at Chelsea Place in Aurora on March 22, 2020. Since the coronavirus outbreak, the family has been unable to physically visit with Ken, who has been a resident at Chelsea Place for just over a year. Joanie and Ken have been married for almost 57 years.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Charlotte Colella, 8, bottom, waves to her cousins Miles Wilson, 3, top left, and his brother Hayden, 5, from the sidewalk in Englewood Colorado on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Dave Maddux, special projects manager for Project Cure, steadies a pallet of donated goods onto a truck during a drive to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies to address the shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic in front of Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on March 22, 2020. The drive was organized by Colorado House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, House Minority Leader Patrick Neville and the Denver Broncos alongside nonprofits Project C.U.R.E. and Colorado Concern. Organizers say PPE supplies are in a “critical shortage” amid the coronavirus outbreak.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora is one of several hospitals working to get ready for the peak of patients due to the COVID-19 crisis on March 31, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
A pedestrian, left, and a jogger, make their way down a nearly-empty 16th St. Mall in downtown Denver March 21, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
U.S. 36 is empty of cars heading both eastbound to Denver and westbound to Boulder on March 29, 2020, in Superior. Many Colorado highways and roads are seeing a marked decrease in traffic due to the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home order by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Banners supporting frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic are strung across Larimer Square in Denver on April 9, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Eric Morgenthaler, left, and Lieutenants Adam Gallegos, center and Jay Allen, right, play the bagpipes on rock ledges outside of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church as the sun sets in Castle Rock on April 6, 2020. The trio was careful to maintain 6 feet of distance between them. Organized by the Colorado Emerald Society Pipes and Drums band, Colorado firefighters from all over the state, have started to play their bagpipes at sunset every night. The idea came from a centuries-old tradition where the bagpipes are played in times of a crisis. The group is calling it Sunset Solidarity and encouraging unity amongst all of us.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Paramedics with Ambulnz and Aurora firefighters salute as the casket carrying the body of paramedic and retired firefighter Paul Cary as it is taken off a United Airlines flight after arriving back from New York at Denver International Airport on May 3, 2020. Cary was a retired firefighter who worked for three decades with the Aurora Fire Department. Cary, employed by private ambulance company Ambulnz, had deployed to New York City to help people fighting the coronavirus. He contracted the virus three weeks into his deployment and died 11 days later. A procession of dozens of emergency vehicles escorted the body to Olinger Hampden Funeral Home and Cemetery.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivers an address from the governor’s mansion on Monday, April 6, 2020. Polis extended the statewide stay-at-home order from April 11 to April 26 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
The Air Force Thunderbirds honor frontline workers by flying over Denver on April 18, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
TSA agents talk as they wait for passengers to go through security at Denver International Airport on April 15, 2020. Air travel through the airport is down 95% since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Brandon Wilson, owner of AvidJet, disinfects a Frontier airplane with a fogger at Denver International Airport on Tuesday, May 6, 2020. ProShield, the microbiostatic agent used to disinfect the plane, will keep the aircraft clean for up to 90 days after application. Beginning this week, Frontier will require the use of masks by passengers and will implement temperature checks in the coming weeks.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Paramedics and Aurora firefighters from Engine 8 arrive with a patient at the Medical Center of Aurora on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
LEFT: The emergency room team at the Aurora Medical Center gears up for the arrival of a patient on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. RIGHT: Dr. Frank Lansville, medical director of the emergency department, sits in an empty room in the E.R. of the Aurora Medical Center on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Extra precautions and measures are being taken by healthcare professionals to protect against the spread of coronavirus within the hospital. Some form of mask, ventilator, or face shield are worn by every professional within the building. The number of patients visiting the emergency room has fallen due to the scare of coronavirus.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Evelyn Berkey air hugs a well wisher during a celebration of her 100th birthday on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Her parents, Harry and Mary Oliver, lived to be 92 and 93 respectively giving Evelyn the genes to achieve the rare milestone of 100 years old. Though an event had been planned at the Castle Rock Country Club to celebrate Evelyn’s birthday, it was cancelled due to stay-at-home orders from coronavirus. Despite the hiccup, more than 100 people in some 71 vehicles passed in front of her home to shout happy birthdays and to hand the woman of honor flowers, cards and other gifts.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Madeleine Arany wears a mask with her graduation year on it during the ThunderRidge High School graduation ceremony at EchoPark Stadium on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. While most years schools have months to prepare for commencement, the administration planned this alternative in-person ceremony in two weeks.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Protesters march out of Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Jannah Farooque helps her daughter Amani Washington, 8, keep a candle lit as they listen to musicians play violin in the parking lot during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Farooque’s friend lived a few blocks away from where Elijah McClain was stopped by police. “When is this going to end?” Farooque had said. “Social justice is very important to our family. We’ve had encounters with police brutality, so it’s very important to speak up and show support.”
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
A crowd of people put their fists in the air to show solidarity during a candlelit vigil for Elijah McClain at Utah Park in Aurora on Saturday, July 11, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Shayana Dabney, a senior majoring in political science and history at CSU-Pueblo and president of the Black Student Union, listens to speakers addressing the crowd during a protest in Denver on June 1, 2020, after the death of George Floyd.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
A photo of the late James McKay is displayed at a memorial honoring McKay, Karen Haws and Randy Narvaez, three union members who worked at local grocery stores and died of COVID-19, on the sidewalk outside of the King Soopers on 9th Avenue and Corona Street in Denver on Sunday, June 14, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Patricia Rangel, center, comforts her daughter Cynthia Rangel, left, during a rally in Greeley for JBS plant workers who died of COVID-19 on June 28, 2020. Rangel’s father Saul Sanchez was one of six workers at the JBS plant who died from COVID-19. He had worked for the plant for 30 years. Also pictured are Adrian Rangel, 19, Saul’s grandson, left, and family friend Tatiana Haro, 13, right.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Six purple helmets and pictures of each worker were placed in front of the JBS plant in Greeley to memorialize the workers who died of COVID-19, during a rally and memorial event organized by UFCW Local 7 on June 28, 2020.
Kevin Mohatt, Special to the Denver Post
Tin Aye, a JBS employee, died in May after contracting the novel coronavirus. Her body rested in her casket during her funeral service in Denver on May 21, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Kevin and Lea Ann Lyster pose for a photo with their daughter Sierra, 15, at their home in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. They lost their son Cody, 21, to COVID-19 in April, making him one of the youngest in Colorado to die from the virus.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Faculty member Shawna Johnson, right, checks the temperatures of students outside the entrance for third-grade students at Second Creek Elementary School in Commerce City on Sept. 3, 2020. School leaders directed students to five entrances to maintain social distancing.
Rachel Woolf, Special to the Denver Post
Outdoor plastic bubbles for dining, seen at My Brother’s Bar in Denver on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
Eli Imadali, Special to the Denver Post
Alyssa Tousignant, a registered nurse at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, speaks to a TV news camera during a rally in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. The Denver chapter of the National Nurses United union gathered to denounce chronic understaffing worsened by COVID-19, shift changes and hospital management’s intimidation to curb the union’s collective bargaining rights.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Nurse Sam Gaudreault exits the COVID-19 ward at Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo on Nov. 25, 2020. The room is a negative pressure isolation area that separates covid patients from the rest of the hospital population. Otherwise known as airborne infection isolation rooms, these negative pressure rooms help create a crucial barrier between extremely infectious people and everyone else.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Registered nurse Robin Lingg Lagrone gears up before seeing a patient, who tested positive for coronavirus about a month before at National Jewish Health on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Anesthesiologist Sean O’Connor stands over a patient during a procedure at National Jewish Health on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Many representatives are seen on a screen via video conferencing software during a special legislative session at the Colorado State Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Christy Ruffell, manager of clinic nursing standards at UCHealth Medical Center, left, administers the very first Covid-19 vaccine to Kevin Londrigan, a respiratory therapist at UCHealth Medical Center, right, at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins on Dec. 14, 2020.
Kevin Mohatt, Special to the Denver Post
Maizie Landis, a first-grade student at Polaris Elementary, engages in remote learning while her mother, Heidi Overbeck, stays nearby while working on her computer at their home in Denver on Dec. 15, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
South Park characters Jesus and Santa fill the seats of the south end zone with the rest of the South Park community as the scoreboard highlights the passing and 76 rushing yards of the Denver Broncos during the second half of New Orleans’ 31-3 win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A sunset closes out the final game of the Denver Broncos season, taking on the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Jan. 3, 2021. The Broncos lost their final game of the season 32-31.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
A resident waves from the window during a holiday car parade at the Clermont Park Life Plan Community in Denver on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Family and friends caravanned in their cars around the property honking and spreading holiday cheer to residents who watched from their windows.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Evangeline Bondoc, center, assisted living employee, holds the hands with Covid Immunization Pharmacist Kare Wheeler, left, as Vicki Pender administers the Pfizer vaccine to Bondoc at St. Andrews Village in Aurora on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
UCHealth’s mass vaccination clinic in the Coors Field parking lot is full of people waiting to be vaccinated on Jan. 30, 2021. UCHealth partnered with the Governor’s office, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Rockies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to 10,000 qualified and registered people over two days.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Being extra cautious Joan Beer made a protective barrier out of cardboard before getting her COVID-19 vaccination during the mass vaccination event in the parking lots of Coors Field in Denver on Jan. 31, 2021.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Using the Hug Tent, Lynda Hartman gets to hug her husband Len, 77, for the first time in almost eight months at Juniper Village, a memory care facility in Layfayette, on Feb. 3, 2021. Len is a resident at Juniper Village.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Amber Schroetlin connects with her son Brett at their home in Woodland Park on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2021. Schroetlin’s husband Josh, an educator, was set to receive his master’s degree in late 2019 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. He died just days before COVID-19 shut down the world in March 2020, leaving his wife and three kids to cope with the loss amidst isolation in a new town.Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.
